～て頂戴
Please do
Explanation
てちょうだい is an informal way to make a request. It is typically directed at someone you are close with, like a family member, or someone of a lower social standing. This pattern is formed by adding ちょうだい to the て-form of a verb. The word ちょうだい itself comes from the humble term 頂戴, which can mean 'to receive', 'to eat', or 'to drink'.
Although 頂戴 has humble origins, when used with the て-form, the expression is considered informal and is common within a family setting. Many also consider it to be a more feminine alternative to てください.
- お母さん、この本を読んでちょうだい。Mom, please read this book for me.
- あなた、ゴミを捨ててきてちょうだい。Honey, can you take out the trash for me?
- 自分の部屋をきれいに掃除してちょうだい。Please clean your room.
Caution
When used as a standalone word or after a noun, ちょうだい becomes a direct demand, much like 'gimme' or 'I want...' in English. In this context, it is almost always written in hiragana, and this usage often sounds childlike.
- アメちゃんちょうだい！Gimme a candy!
Fun Fact
In more formal situations, 頂戴 is often used as a する verb (頂戴する) to mean 'to humbly receive'. This polite form is usually written with its kanji rather than in hiragana.
- 皆様のご意見を頂戴できますでしょうか。Could we please have your opinions?
- この賞は、謹んで頂戴いたします。I humbly accept this award.
Examples
ちょっと寒いわね。窓を閉めてちょうだい。
It's a bit cold, isn't it? Please close the window.
夕食の準備、手伝ってちょうだい。
Please help me prepare dinner.
映画を見ているんだから、静かにしてちょうだい。
I'm watching a movie, so please be quiet.
あなたの部屋にある雑誌を取ってきてちょうだい。
Please go get the magazine that's in your room.
それは危ないから、触らないでちょうだい。
That's dangerous, so please don't touch it.
明日の朝、６時に起こしてちょうだいね。
Please wake me up at 6 tomorrow morning, okay?
ちょっと、この書類をコピーしてちょうだい。
Hey, please make a copy of this document for me.
いつまでテレビ見てるの？さっさと宿題を済ませてちょうだい！
How long are you going to watch TV? Hurry up and please finish your homework!
買い物に行くなら、牛乳を買ってきてちょうだい。
If you're going shopping, please buy some milk.
難しくてわからないわ。もっと分かりやすく説明してちょうだい。
It's too difficult, I don't get it. Please explain it more simply.
私が電話している間、赤ちゃんを見ていてちょうだい。
While I'm on the phone, please watch the baby.
もう泣かないで。理由をちゃんと話してちょうだい。
Stop crying now. Please tell me the reason properly.
料金として一万円頂戴します。
We will receive 10,000 yen as payment.
お名刺を一枚頂戴できますでしょうか。
Might I have one of your business cards?
結構な品を頂戴し、恐縮です。
I am most grateful to have received such a wonderful gift.