N4Grammar

～ていただけませんか

Won't you, Could you please (Humble request)

Structure

Verb［て］+ いただけませんか
Verb［て］+ もらえませんか

Explanation

The grammar pattern ていただけませんか is a more formal and humble speech (謙譲語 - kenjōgo) equivalent of てもらえませんか. Both expressions derive from the negative potential form of てもらう, which signifies receiving a favor or action from another person.

This grammar pattern is formed by combining the て-form of a verb, the う-Verb いただく ('to receive humbly'), the polite-negative auxiliary verb ません, and the question particle, か.

In most cases, this phrase can be translated just like てもらえませんか, often as 'could you please (do something)', or 'would you mind (doing something)'.

すみませんが、写真(しゃしん)を撮(と)っていただけませんか。
Excuse me, but would you mind taking a picture for us?
寒(さむ)いので、エアコンを消(け)してもらえませんか。
It's cold, so could you please turn off the air conditioner?

The verb いただく is frequently written with its kanji, 頂(いただ)く. This kanji's original meaning is 'to place on one's head' or 'to receive from a superior'. This illustrates the nuance of humbly receiving a favor from someone who is metaphorically 'above' you, which is why it sounds so respectful.

遠(とお)くに見(み)える、雪(ゆき)を頂(いただ)いた山(やま)は有名(ゆうめい)だ。
The snow-capped mountain visible in the distance is famous.

This example demonstrates how the literal meaning 'to be crowned with' or 'to be topped with' is applied in a regular sentence.

Examples

この荷物(にもつ)、重(おも)いので、ちょっと手伝(てつだ)っていただけませんか。

This luggage is heavy, could you please give me a hand?

すみません、写真(しゃしん)を撮(と)っていただけませんか。

Excuse me, could you please take a picture for us?

ちょっと寒(さむ)いので、窓(まど)を閉(し)めていただけませんか。

It's a little cold, would you mind closing the window?

申(もう)し訳(わけ)ありませんが、ここで少(しょう)々待(ま)っていただけませんか。

I'm very sorry, but could you please wait here for a moment?

この文法(ぶんぽう)がよく分(わ)からないので、もう一度(いちど)説明(せつめい)していただけませんか。

I don't quite understand this grammar, so could you please explain it one more time?

この書類(しょるい)に間違(まちが)いがないか、確認(かくにん)していただけませんか。

Could you please check if there are any mistakes in this document?

部屋(へや)が暑(あつ)いので、エアコンをつけていただけませんか。

The room is hot, so could you please turn on the air conditioner?

ペンを忘(わす)れてしまいました。すみませんが、一本(いっぽん)貸(か)していただけませんか。

I've forgotten my pen. Excuse me, but could you please lend me one?

私(わたし)はまだ日本語(にほんご)が上手(じょうず)ではないので、もっとゆっくり話(はな)していただけませんか。

My Japanese isn't very good yet, so could you please speak a little more slowly?

すみません、聞(き)き取(と)れなかったので、ここに書(か)いていただけませんか。

Excuse me, I couldn't catch that. Could you please write it down here?

すみません、道(みち)に迷(まよ)ってしまいました。地図(ちず)を見(み)せていただけませんか。

Excuse me, I'm lost. Could you please show me the map?

この箱(はこ)を棚(たな)の上(うえ)に置(お)いていただけませんか。

Could you please put this box on top of the shelf?

Related Grammar

— Won't you, Could you please (Humble request)— Won't you, Could you please (Humble request)