〜てください — Please Do ~
Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Level | JLPT N5 |
| Form | te-form compound |
| Register | Polite |
Meaning
〜てください expresses a polite request or instruction, equivalent to "please do ~" in English. It is used when asking someone to perform an action in a direct but courteous manner. This form is appropriate in most everyday situations — with teachers, shop staff, colleagues, and strangers.
Structure
Positive request (please do ~)
[Verb te-form] + ください
Negative request (please don't ~)
[Verb dictionary form] + ないでください
Formation Reminder
To form the te-form from the ます-form, drop ます and apply the following endings:
| Verb group | ます-stem ending | te-form |
|---|---|---|
| Group 1 (u-verbs) | き → いて, ぎ → いで | 書きます → 書いて |
| Group 1 (u-verbs) | み, び, に → んで | 飲みます → 飲んで |
| Group 1 (u-verbs) | り, い, ち → って | 乗ります → 乗って |
| Group 2 (ru-verbs) | drop ます → て | 食べます → 食べて |
| Irregular | します → して, きます → きて | します → して |
Examples
-
ここに名前を書いてください。 Koko ni namae o kaite kudasai. Please write your name here.
-
もう少しゆっくり話してください。 Mou sukoshi yukkuri hanashite kudasai. Please speak a little more slowly.
-
この薬を一日三回飲んでください。 Kono kusuri o ichinichi sankai nonde kudasai. Please take this medicine three times a day.
-
窓を開けてください。 Mado o akete kudasai. Please open the window.
-
ここで写真を撮らないでください。 Koko de shashin o toranaide kudasai. Please do not take photos here.
-
授業中にスマホを使わないでください。 Jugyouchuu ni sumaho o tsukawanaide kudasai. Please do not use your smartphone during class.
Formality Levels
| Expression | Formality | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| て (alone) | Casual | Used with close friends or family; can sound abrupt |
| てください | Standard polite | Appropriate for most everyday situations |
| ていただけますか | Formal / deferential | N4+ level; used with superiors or in formal writing |
Use ていただけますか when speaking to customers, senior colleagues, or in written requests where extra politeness is required.
Common Mistakes
Using the ます-form instead of the て-form
- Incorrect:
書きますください - Correct: 書いてください
The ください must always follow the te-form of the verb, never the ます-form. A common error for beginners is to attach ください directly to the polite stem — this is ungrammatical. Always convert the verb to its te-form first.