Processing keyword: Verb て ください (Verb-te kudasai)

Japanese Grammar Point: Verb て ください (Verb-te kudasai)

1. Introduction

The grammar point Verb てください is a fundamental structure in Japanese used to make polite requests or give gentle instructions. It's essential for daily conversations and is commonly taught at the beginner level (JLPT N5).

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2. Core Grammar Explanation

Meaning

• Verb てください translates to "Please do [verb]" in English.
• It is used to politely ask someone to perform an action.

Structure

To form this structure, take the て-form of a verb and add ください. [ \text{Verb in て-form} + ください ]

Formation Diagram

Verb Type	Dictionary Form	て-form Transformation	Example
る-verbs	食べる (たべる)	Replace る with て	食べて
う-verbs	行く (いく)	Replace く with いて	行って
Irregular	する	Becomes して	して
	来る (くる)	Becomes 来て (きて)	来て

For a complete list of て-form conjugations, refer to a て-form conjugation chart.

Visual Aid: て-form Conjugation Table

Verb Ending	Change to て-form	Example Verb	て-form
-う/-つ/-る	Replace ending with って	会う (あう)	会って
-む/-ぶ/-ぬ	Replace ending with んで	読む (よむ)	読んで
-く	Replace with いて	書く (かく)	書いて
-ぐ	Replace with いで	泳ぐ (およぐ)	泳いで
-す	Replace with して	話す (はなす)	話して

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3. Comparative Analysis

Comparing with ませんか

• Verb てください: Used to request someone to do something.
  • 例: 窓を開けてください。(Please open the window.)
• Verb ませんか: Used to invite someone to do something.
  • 例: 一緒に映画を見ませんか。(Won't you watch a movie with me?)

Differences

Grammar Point	Function	Politeness Level
Verb てください	Making a polite request	Polite
Verb ませんか	Making an invitation	Polite

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4. Examples in Context

Formal Situations

1. もう一度言ってください。
   • Mō ichido itte kudasai.
   • Please say it one more time.
2. ここに名前を書いてください。
   • Koko ni namae o kaite kudasai.
   • Please write your name here.

Informal Situations

• While てください is polite, in casual conversation, you might use just the て-form.
  • 例: ちょっと待って。(Wait a moment.)

Written Context

1. ご返信ください。
   • Go henshin kudasai.
   • Please reply.
2. ご注意ください。
   • Go chūi kudasai.
   • Please be careful.

Spoken Context

1. 写真を見せてくださいませんか。
   • Shashin o misete kudasai masen ka.
   • Could you please show me the pictures? (More polite)
2. 手伝ってください！
   • Tetsudatte kudasai!
   • Please help me!

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5. Cultural Notes

Politeness and Formality

• ください comes from the honorific verb くださる, enhancing the politeness.
• Using てください is a polite way to make requests, suitable for most situations.
• For even more polite requests, use ていただけませんか.
  • 例: 説明していただけませんか。(Could you please explain?)

Idiomatic Expressions

• お待ちください。
  • O-machi kudasai.
  • Please wait. (Often used by staff in shops)
• ご覧ください。
  • Goran kudasai.
  • Please look. (Formal; used in announcements)

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6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Common Mistakes

1. Incorrect て-form conjugation
   • Wrong: 食べるてください。
   • Correct: 食べてください。
2. Using dictionary form instead of て-form
   • Wrong: 来るください。
   • Correct: 来てください。

Tips

• Mnemonic for う-verbs ending with う, つ, る: They all change to って. Remember "Utsuru goes to tte."
• Practice て-form conjugations regularly, as they are essential for various grammatical structures.

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7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

• Verb てください is used to make polite requests: "Please do [verb]."
• Formed by adding ください to the て-form of a verb.
• Remember to conjugate verbs correctly into the て-form.
• It's a versatile structure appropriate for both formal and informal contexts.

Quick Recap Quiz

1. How do you say "Please read this book" in Japanese?
2. Convert the verb 書く (to write) into its て-form.
3. What's a more polite alternative to てください for making requests?

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Answers

1. この本を読んでください。 (Kono hon o yonde kudasai.)
2. 書いて (kaite)
3. ていただけませんか (te itadakemasen ka)

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