Lesson notes · ≈ JLPT N5 · Beginner 1
polite request to do
Attach ください to a verb in the て form to politely ask or instruct someone to do the action.
It is windy. Who will close the window? The speaker uses this pattern to ask the listener to do the action.
Put the verb in the て form, then add ください to politely ask someone to do something.
You can also say 「食べてください」 to invite a guest to start eating.
When setting the table, you can use this pattern to politely instruct someone to arrange the plates.
To ask someone to pour tea, say 「入れてください」. The cup is where the tea goes.
「お茶をください」 asks for tea; 「入れてください」 asks someone to pour it.
The examples contain 「食べて」 and 「回して」. Verbs do not all change in the same way to make the て form.
Check the group first. Group I changes depend on the kana before 「ます」 (see the image). Keep the small 「っ」 and the voicing marks on 「で」.
See the image for other Group I changes. 「行きます」 is an exception: it becomes 「行って」. Adding 「ください」 after the て form makes a request.
For Group II, remove 「ます」 and add 「て」; see the image for Group III. Learn the group first: 「起きます」 is Group II, so do not apply Group I rules.
The tennis sentence has no ください; it simply describes what happened. A て form does not always signal a request.
Please eat.
Please pass this dish.
I played tennis and worked up a sweat.
A: Please line up the plates on the table.
B: Okay, I understand. How many should I line up?
A: Please pour tea into this glass.
B: Okay, I understand. Hot or cold?
A: Please grill the meat.
B: Okay, I understand. How long should I grill it?
A: Please put the trash in the trash bag.
B: Okay, I'll clean it up now.
Level 1 · Recognise
Which sentence is correct?
Level 1 · Recognise
Listen and choose the meaning
Level 2 · Build
Put the words in order
Please drink tea.
Level 3 · Use
What goes in the blank?
ケーキを一つ ください。
Please buy one cake.
A: Please close the window. The wind is strong.
B: Okay, I understand.
