How to Ask for a Favor in Japanese: Requesting Help Politely (With Picture-Taking Example)
Learn to ask for favors in Japanese, like taking a photo or borrowing notes. Use お願いします and 〜てもらえますか for polite requests. Beginner-friendly with dialogue.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
In Japanese, asking for a favor requires more than just saying 'please.' You need to choose the right level of politeness and use specific patterns that show you're requesting assistance, not issuing a command. This lesson teaches you two core patterns: お願いします (onegaishimasu) for general requests, and 〜てもらえますか (te moraemasu ka) for asking someone to do something. You'll practice asking a stranger to take your picture, borrowing notes from a classmate, and requesting help from staff. By the end, you'll be able to make polite, clear requests in everyday situations.
By the end, you can…
- ask someone to take a picture using 写真を撮ってもらえますか.
- politely request to borrow notes with ノートを借りてもいいですか.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
すみません、写真を撮ってもらえますか。
Excuse me, could you take a picture for me?
Sumimasen, shashin o totte moraemasu ka.
Use this when asking a stranger to take your photo. すみません gets attention politely.
お願いします。
Please. / I'd like to ask a favor.
Onegai shimasu.
A versatile phrase to request something or accept an offer. Often used after making a request.
ノートを借りてもいいですか。
May I borrow your notes?
Nōto o karite mo ii desu ka.
Ask a classmate to lend you their notes. Use 借りる (kariru) for borrowing.
ちょっと手伝ってもらえますか。
Could you help me a little?
Chotto tetsudatte moraemasu ka.
A general request for assistance. ちょっと softens the request.
この漢字の読み方を教えてもらえますか。
Could you tell me how to read this kanji?
Kono kanji no yomikata o oshiete moraemasu ka.
Ask for an explanation or information. 教えてもらえますか is polite.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The pattern 〜てもらえますか (te moraemasu ka) is a polite way to ask someone to do something for you. It comes from the verb もらう (morau), 'to receive,' and literally asks 'Can I receive the favor of you doing ~?' For example, 写真を撮ってもらえますか (shashin o totte moraemasu ka) means 'Could you take a picture for me?' You can use it with many verbs: 貸してもらえますか (kashite moraemasu ka) = 'Could you lend it to me?', 教えてもらえますか (oshiete moraemasu ka) = 'Could you tell me?' This pattern is more polite than 〜てください (te kudasai), which is a direct request. Use 〜てもらえますか with strangers, acquaintances, or when you want to be extra polite.
When to use it
Use お願いします (onegai shimasu) when you want to make a general request or accept an offer. For example, after asking 写真を撮ってもらえますか, you can add お願いします to soften it. It's also used when ordering in a restaurant or asking for something. For borrowing notes, ノートを借りてもいいですか (nōto o karite mo ii desu ka) is a direct way to ask permission. If you want to be more polite, use ノートを借りてもよろしいですか (nōto o karite mo yoroshii desu ka). Note that 借りる (kariru) means 'to borrow,' while 貸す (kasu) means 'to lend.' Don't mix them up: ノートを貸してもらえますか means 'Could you lend me your notes?' which is also correct but focuses on the other person's action.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
すみません、写真を撮ってもらえますか。
Excuse me, could you take a picture for me?Sumimasen, shashin o totte moraemasu ka.はい、いいですよ。どこで撮りますか。
Sure, that's fine. Where should I take it?Hai, ii desu yo. Doko de torimasu ka.あの建物の前でお願いします。
In front of that building, please.Ano tatemono no mae de onegai shimasu.わかりました。はい、チーズ！
Got it. Okay, say cheese!Wakarimashita. Hai, chīzu!A little context goes a long way
In Japan, asking a stranger for a favor often starts with すみません (sumimasen) to apologize for the interruption. It's polite to be specific and avoid vague requests. When someone agrees to help, a simple ありがとうございます (arigatō gozaimasu) is appropriate. For borrowing notes, it's common to ask a classmate you know well; if you're not close, consider asking after class and offering to return the favor.
One thing to watch for
Using 〜てください (te kudasai) for all requests, like 写真を撮ってください (shashin o totte kudasai).
Try this instead: 〜てください is a direct request and can sound rude to strangers. Use 〜てもらえますか instead: 写真を撮ってもらえますか. For casual friends, 〜てくれる？ (te kureru?) is fine, but for polite situations, stick with 〜てもらえますか.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you ask a stranger to take a picture of you and your friend?
Show a sample answer
すみません、写真を撮ってもらえますか。
This uses the polite pattern 〜てもらえますか and starts with すみません to get attention. You could also add 私たちの写真を (watashitachi no shashin o) to specify 'our picture,' but it's optional.
2You want to borrow a classmate's notes. What do you say?
Show a sample answer
ノートを借りてもいいですか。
This asks permission using 〜てもいいですか. A more polite version is ノートを借りてもよろしいですか. Both are correct; the first is fine for classmates.
3What phrase can you add after making a request to mean 'please' or 'I'm counting on you'?
Show a sample answer
お願いします。
お願いします is a versatile phrase used to make a request or accept an offer. It can be added after 〜てもらえますか to soften the request.
Use 〜てもらえますか to ask someone to do something for you, and お願いします to make a general request. For borrowing, 借りてもいいですか asks permission. Always start with すみません when approaching a stranger.
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