A1 Expression 正式

お願いがあります

Onegai ga arimasu

I have a request

Phrase in 30 Seconds

Use this phrase to politely signal that you have a request before you actually state what you need.

  • Means: 'I have a request' or 'I have something to ask of you.'
  • Used in: Professional settings, asking favors from strangers, or initiating serious conversations.
  • Don't confuse: It is not a question itself, but a buffer to prepare the listener.
Polite bow + 'I have a request' = Respectful listener

Explanation at your level:

This phrase means 'I have a request.' You use it when you need to ask someone for help. It is very polite and helpful in Japan.
It is a polite way to introduce a request. By saying this, you prepare the other person for what you are about to ask. It is very common in both work and social life.
This expression serves as a social buffer. It signals to the listener that a request is forthcoming, allowing them to gauge their availability. It is essential for maintaining politeness in Japanese society.
Functioning as a pragmatic marker, this phrase mitigates the imposition of a request. It aligns with the cultural preference for indirectness, ensuring that the listener is not caught off guard by a sudden demand.
This phrase is a classic example of Japanese 'keigo' and pragmatic softening. It functions to manage the 'face' of the listener by providing a preamble that allows for a graceful refusal or negotiation, thus preserving interpersonal harmony in hierarchical or social contexts.
As a strategic communicative device, it exemplifies the Japanese linguistic tendency toward 'yojou' (emotional residue) and indirectness. It functions as a meta-communicative signal that manages the social distance between interlocutors, effectively lowering the potential for conflict by framing the request as a shared negotiation rather than a unilateral imposition.

意思

Politically stating that one has something to ask.

🌍

文化背景

The phrase is essential for 'reading the air' and maintaining harmony. Using 'gozaimasu' instead of 'arimasu' makes it extremely formal.

💡

Use 'chotto'

Adding 'chotto' makes the request sound smaller and less intimidating.

意思

Politically stating that one has something to ask.

💡

Use 'chotto'

Adding 'chotto' makes the request sound smaller and less intimidating.

自我测试

Which is the most polite way to say 'I have a request'?

Which sentence is correct?

✓ 正确！ ✗ 不太对。 正确答案： お願いがあります

Arimasu is the correct verb for possession in this context.

🎉 得分： /1

常见问题

1 个问题

No, it is very polite.

相关表达

🔗

お時間をいただけますか

builds on

Can I have your time?

在哪里用

🤝

Asking a colleague for help

You: 佐藤さん、ちょっとお願いがあります。

Sato: はい、何ですか？

neutral
✨

Asking a friend for a favor

You: ねえ、お願いがあるんだけど。

Friend: どうしたの？

informal

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'O-negai' as 'Oh, nay, guy'—if you don't say this, the guy might say 'nay' to your request!

Visual Association

Imagine a person standing at a door, holding a small gift box. They are waiting for the person to open the door before they say 'I have a request.'

Story

Ken needs a favor. He approaches his boss. He doesn't just ask. He says, 'I have a request.' The boss smiles, knowing Ken is being respectful. Ken then asks for the day off.

Word Web

頼むお願い相談依頼すみませんお時間

挑战

Use this phrase with a teacher or colleague today before asking for something small.

In Other Languages

Spanish high

Tengo un favor que pedirte.

Japanese is more ritualized and often used even for small tasks.

French high

J'ai une faveur à te demander.

French speakers might be more direct if the relationship is close.

German high

Ich habe eine Bitte.

Japanese requires more 'cushioning' words like 'chotto'.

Japanese self

お願いがあります

N/A

Arabic moderate

لدي طلب

Japanese is more focused on the 'buffer' aspect to avoid conflict.

Easily Confused

お願いがあります 对比 ちょっといいですか

Both are used to start a conversation.

Use 'chotto ii desu ka' for general questions, 'onegai ga arimasu' for favors.

常见问题 (1)

No, it is very polite.

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