JLPT N4 Grammar
· Elementary
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· Elementary
could you please...?
Category: Giving & Receiving
The grammar pattern '~ていただけませんか' is a very polite and standard way to request a favor in Japanese. It is a combination of the polite form of the verb '受けます' (to receive) and the polite question phrase '~てください' (please). The literal translation is 'could I not receive the favor of you doing...'. This pattern is suitable for superiors, strangers, or formal situations, and is more polite than the pattern '~てください' (please). It is a common way to ask for help or assistance in a polite manner.
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Volitional form of the verb (Vte form) | ~て頂いてもかまいませんか | 説明して頂いてもかまいませんか (Could you please explain again?) |
| Volitional form of the verb (Vte form) | ~てくださいませんか | レポートをチェックしてくださいませんか (Could you please check the report?) |
| Volitional form of the verb (Vte form) | ~て下さいませんか | 駅への道を教えてくださいませんか (Could you please tell me the way to the station?) |
説明して頂いてもかまいませんか
Setsumeite arigatou imasen ka
Could you please explain again?
説明して (explain again) / 頂いても (even if you receive) / かまいませんか (it's okay)
レポートをチェックしてくださいませんか
Rapōto o check shite kudasai imasen ka
Could you please check the report?
レポートを (report) / チェックして (check) / くださいませんか (please)
駅への道を教えてくださいませんか
Eki e no michi o oshiete kudasai imasen ka
Could you please tell me the way to the station?
駅への道を (way to the station) / 教えて (tell) / くださいませんか (please)
This pattern is suitable for superiors, strangers, or formal situations. It is more polite than the pattern '~てください' (please). It is a common way to ask for help or assistance in a polite manner.
The pattern '~ていただけませんか' is used to request a favor in the present tense, not the past tense.
This pattern is too polite for close friends, and may sound too distant or formal.
The pattern '~てくださいませんか' is less polite than '~ていただけませんか', and should not be used in formal situations.
In the JLPT exam, this pattern may appear in the listening or reading comprehension sections. Be sure to use the correct polite form of the verb and the correct question phrase.
すみませんが、もう一度説明して______。
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