22 Softening Phrases for Polite Requests in Japanese
Translated from the Vietnamese original. View the original.
22 softening phrases for polite requests in Japanese
Let's learn the cushioning phrases used when asking someone to do something for you.
1. ご多忙とは存じますが
gotabo to wa zonjimasuga
I know you are very busy, but …
2. ご足労おかけして大変申し訳ござ いませんが
gosokuro okake shite taihen moshiwake gozaimasen ga
I am very sorry to put you to the trouble, but …
3. ぶしつけなお願いですが
bushitsuke na onegaidesu ga
It is a discourteous request, but…
4. 重ね重ねお手数をおかけ致しま すが
kasanegasane otesi wo okake itashimasuga
Sorry to trouble you again and again, but…
5. ご面倒かとは存じますが
go mendo ka to wa zonjimasuga
I know it is a bother, but…
6. 差し支えなければ
Sashitsukaenakereba
If you don't mind…
7. ご都合がよろしければ
gotsugo ga yoroshikereba
If it is convenient…
8. お手間でなければ
otema de nakereba
If it is no trouble …
9. 大変申し訳ございませんが
taihen moshiwake gozaimasenga
I am truly sorry, but …
10. よろしければ
yoroshikereba
If it is all right …
11. お忙しいところ誠に申し訳ございませんが
o isogashii tokoro makotoni moshiwake gozaimasen ga
I am very sorry to ask while you are busy, but …
12. ご多忙中とは存じますが
gotabo chu to wa zonjimasu ga
I know you are very busy, but…
13. 誠に勝手なお願いですが
makotoni kattena onegaidesu ga
It really is a selfish request, but…
14. ご迷惑とは存じますが
gomeiwaku to wa zonjimasuga
I know it is an imposition, but ….
15. こちらの都合で恐れ入りますが
Kochira no tsugo de osoreirimasuga
I am very sorry, it is because of circumstances on my side, but…
16. ご面倒をおかけしますが
gomendo wo okake shimasuga
It may be a bother to you, but …
17. お時間がありましたら
ojikan ga arimashitara
If you have the time…
18. お時間がある時に
ojikan ga aru toki ni
Whenever you have time…
19. 恐れ入りますが
osoreirimasuga
Excuse me…
20. 大変恐縮ではございますが
taihen kyoshuku de wa gozaimasu ga
I feel very awkward asking, but…
21. ご迷惑でなければ
go meiwaku de nakereba
If it is no trouble …
22. お力になれることがあれば
ochikara ni nareru koto ga areba
If you are able to help…
See also:
150 N2 Japanese Conversation Patterns: Part 1
Ways of Saying No in Japanese Conversation