Summary of "Differences between kudasai and onegaishimasu | ください vs お願いします"

Main Ideas and Concepts

The video discusses the differences between the Japanese phrases "kudasai" (ください) and "onegaishimasu" (お願いします), both of which can be translated to "please" in English but have different uses and levels of politeness.

Key Differences:

kudasai (ください):
- Literally means "give me" and is used to request tangible items.
- Originates from the verb "kuru" (to give), with "kudasai" being its polite form.
- Used specifically for asking for physical objects or items.
onegaishimasu (お願いします):
- Literally means "please" in a more polite and humble way.
- Composed of "onegai" (wish or hope) and "shimasu" (to do).
- Can be used for both tangible requests and actions/services.

Examples of Usage:

requesting a Repeat: "One more please" when asking someone to repeat what they said.
Asking for Directions: "To Shibuya please" when requesting a taxi or train ticket to Shibuya.
Speaking to Someone on the Phone: "Can I speak to Tanaka please?" (using "onegaishimasu" to request an action).
requesting the Bill in a Restaurant: "Bill please" (using "onegaishimasu" for the action of paying).
requesting a Repair: "Repairing please" when asking for a service at a repair shop.

Additional Notes:

Contextual Language: Japanese is highly contextual, and often the specific action can be implied without explicitly stating it.
Verb Forms: The speaker explains how to use different verb forms to make requests politely, emphasizing the importance of understanding verb conjugation in Japanese.