Japanese grammar · ≈ JLPT N4 · Beginner 3
〜ていただけませんか~te itadakemasen ka
very polite request
Use 〜ていただけませんか to politely ask someone for help or an action.
How it works
How can you politely ask a stranger for help with directions? Look at the request in the picture.
This pattern is very polite. You can use it to ask someone you do not know well for help.
Who gives directions in the picture? The other person does the action, and the speaker receives their help.
Add 「いただけませんか」 after the verb’s て-form. 教えます becomes 教えて.
Although it contains 「ません」, the whole sentence is a gentle request, not a refusal to help.
If you did not understand, use 「もう一度説明していただけませんか」 to ask the other person to explain again.
Start with 「すみません」 to apologize for interrupting the other person, then make your request.
Example sentences
- すみません、sumimasen道michiをo教えoshieてteいただけませんitadakemasenか？ka
Excuse me, could you tell me the way?
- 申し訳
In a conversation
- Aすみません、駅までの道を教えていただけませんか。
A: Excuse me, could you tell me the way to the station?
- Bはい、この道
Check yourself
Level 1 · Recognise
Which sentence is correct?
Level 1 · Recognise
Listen and choose the meaning
Level 2 · Build
Put the words in order
Could you please tell me the way to the station?
Level 3 · Use
What goes in the blank?
すみません、駅までの道を 。
Excuse me, could you please tell me the way to the station?
More grammar in this theme
- 〜ていただけませんかvery polite request