Activities: How to make requests in Japanese?

Your co-worker has asked if you need any help. You want to politely ask them to make copies of the document you have in your hand.

コピーする (transcribed kopī suru, meaning “to make a copy”)

Your co-worker has asked if you need any help. You want to politely ask them to make copies of the document you have in your hand.

持ってくる (transcribed motte kuru, meaning “to bring”)

Your co-worker has invited you for lunch, but you're in the middle of writing an email that you need to send. You want to politely ask them to wait a bit.

待つ (transcribed matsu, meaning “to wait”)

You have ordered coffee at a cafe, and the staff is trying to put in some sugar that you don't need. You want to politely ask them not to put it.

入れる (transcribed ireru, meaning “to put (something) in”)

You are having dinner with a senior colleague who has been taking care of you. You opened up and shared your concerns. However, you want to politely ask them not to tell anyone about those worries.

言う (transcribed iu, meaning “to tell”)

You found a funny picture and you want your close friend to look at it.

見る (transcribed miru, meaning “to look at”)

When you entered your room, you found that your mother had rearranged it while you were away. You want to ask her not to enter your room without asking.

入る (transcribed hairu, meaning “to enter”)

Your boss is trying to take notes but seems to have forgotten their pen. You want to offer them your pen very politely.

使う (transcribed tsukau, meaning “to use”)

You've found a nice T-shirt at a clothing store. However, you want to see it in other colors too. You want to politely ask the staff to show you the T-shirt in different colors as well.

見せる (transcribed miseru, meaning “to show”)

You're an intern at a Japanese company, and you've written a report in Japanese. However, you want to politely ask your colleague to review it and correct mistakes if there are any.

直す (transcribed naosu, meaning “to correct”)

You're staying with a Japanese family as a homestay. Tomorrow, you'll be returning to your country, and you want to politely ask them to give you a ride to the airport.

送る (transcribed okuru, meaning “to give (somebody) a ride”)

When you arrived at work, you noticed some random boxes on your desk. It appears that your officemate left them there. You want to politely ask them not to leave their belongings on your desk.

置く (transcribed oku, meaning “to put (something somewhere)”)

Your neighbor plays the guitar late at night, and it's causing you difficulty sleeping. You want to politely ask them not to play the guitar late at night.

弾く (transcribed hiku, meaning “to play”)

You forgot your wallet and want your close friend to lend you some money.

貸す (transcribed kasu, meaning “to lend”)

When you came back home, you found your sister eating the cake you were looking forward to. You want to ask her not to eat it without asking.

食べる (transcribed taberu, meaning “to eat”)

You have a meeting scheduled for 10 a.m. next week but cannot attend it due to another meeting. You want to ask your boss very politely to change the time.

変える (transcribed kaeru, meaning “to change”)