JPEDLAB iconJPEDLAB
Save history

Create an account and play

Explore first, then save your progress whenever you are ready. No email address is required.

Start free
Read as articleCards
1/10

How can you politely ask a stranger for help with directions? Look at the request in the picture.

››

Lesson notes · ≈ 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

  1. How can you politely ask a stranger for help with directions? Look at the request in the picture.

    How can you politely ask a stranger for help with directions? Look at the request in the picture.

  2. This pattern is very polite. You can use it to ask someone you do not know well for help.

    This pattern is very polite. You can use it to ask someone you do not know well for help.

  3. Who gives directions in the picture? The other person does the action, and the speaker receives their help.

    Who gives directions in the picture? The other person does the action, and the speaker receives their help.

  4. Add 「いただけませんか」 after the verb’s て-form. 教えます becomes 教えて.

    Add 「いただけませんか」 after the verb’s て-form. 教えます becomes 教えて.

  5. Although it contains 「ません」, the whole sentence is a gentle request, not a refusal to help.

    Although it contains 「ません」, the whole sentence is a gentle request, not a refusal to help.

  6. 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.

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.

    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、すみませんsumimasen道みちmichiをo教えおしえoshieてteいただけませんitadakemasenか？かka

      Excuse me, could you tell me the way?

    • 申し訳もうしわけmoushiwakeないnaiのnoですdesuが、がgaもうmou一度いちどichido説明せつめいsetsumeiしshiてteいただけませんitadakemasenか？かka

      I am sorry, but could you explain it one more time?

    In a conversation

    • A
      すみません、すみません駅えきまでの道みちを教えおしえていただけませんか。か

      A: Excuse me, could you tell me the way to the station?

    • B
      はい、はいこの道みちをまっすぐ行っいって、て二つ目ふたつめの信号しんごうを左ひだりに曲がっまがってください。ください

      B: Sure. Go straight along this road, and turn left at the second traffic light.

    • A
      申し訳もうしわけないのですが、がもう一度いちど説明せつめいしていただけませんか。か

      A: I am very sorry, but could you explain it one more time?

    • B
      いいですよ。よまっすぐ行っいって、て信号しんごうを左ひだりです。です

      B: No problem. Go straight, and turn left at the light.

    Check yourself

    1. Level 1 · Recognise

      Which sentence is correct?

    2. Level 1 · Recognise

      Listen and choose the meaning

    3. Level 2 · Build

      Put the words in order

      Could you please tell me the way to the station?

    4. 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

    • 〜てしまいましたregret: ended up doing
    • 〜かもしれませんpossibility: might be
    • 〜たあとで、〜after doing, then
    • 〜ていただけませんかvery polite request
    • 〜て、〜／〜で、〜cause and result
    • 〜たら、〜たdiscovery after an action
    Previous〜たあとで、〜Next〜て、〜／〜で、〜

    Keep practising

    Test your Japanese vocabulary12 adaptive questions, freeCheck your pronunciationRead aloud and get a scorePractise verb forms10-question conjugation quizSee the whole courseGrammar, vocabulary and quizzes by theme
    See the whole course
    Beginner 3
    Unexpected Events