お～ください
Please do (Honorific)
Structure
Explanation
お～ください is a form of honorific language used to make polite requests, functioning similarly to なさい but with a higher degree of respect. It is the imperative form of くださる, which is the honorific equivalent of the verb くれる (to give). As such, it carries the nuance of 'please do this action for my benefit'.
- この書類に必要な情報をお書きください。Please write the necessary information on this document.
- どうぞ、ご自由にお取りください。Please feel free to take one.
In comparison to なさい, お～ください is notably more polite and can be appropriately used when speaking to anyone, including those of higher or lower social standing.
- 部屋が暑いので、窓をお開けください。The room is hot, so please open the window.
- 次の順番まで、こちらでお待ちください。Please wait here until your turn.
Caution
The prefix ご～ is typically used with ください in conjunction with the humble speech structure, ご～する (or お〜する). When this happens, the pattern becomes ご～してください.
Examples
どうぞ、お入りください。
Please, come in.
こちらの傘はご自由にお使いください。
Please feel free to use this umbrella.
画面をご覧ください。
Please look at the screen.
足元にご注意ください。
Please watch your step.
お好きなドリンクをお選びください。
Please choose a drink that you like.
時間までに席にお戻りください。
Please return to your seat by the designated time.
書類の内容をご確認ください。
Please confirm the contents of the document.
もう一度お考えください。
Please reconsider.
問題がありましたら、ご連絡ください。
If there are any problems, please get in touch.
ここでの喫煙はご遠慮ください。
Please refrain from smoking here.
どうぞ、クッキーを一つお取りください。
Please, take a cookie.
こちらの席にお座りください。
Please sit in this seat.
なるべく早くご返信ください。
Please reply as soon as you can.