Grammar Info
N4 Lesson 6: 2/16

~て (Casual Request)
Please do for me (casual request)

Structure
Verb[て]
Details
Register Standard
使用域 一般
Information
In casual speech, てください is often shortened to . This usually comes across as being a friendly way to say ‘please do (A)’, but may sound like a very soft order, so is best used with friends/toward people of lower status.
This nuance of is usually able to be identified by appearing at the end of a sentence.
  • 午後(ごご)からお客(きゃく)さん来(く)るから部屋(へや)片付(かたづ)け
    We have guests coming over during the afternoon so please clean up your room. (Said by a parent to a child)
  • ペン貸(か)し
    Can you please lend me a pen?
Caution
Sometimes, other forms of may appear at the end of a sentence. This happens most often when the speaker has not actually finished speaking, but is thinking about what they want to say next. In these cases, the pronunciation of will usually be extended (to highlight that the person is thinking).
  • 駅(えき)まで走(はし)っていっ...
    I ran to the station and…
When emphasizing an apology, may also be used. For this nuance to be conveyed, will be attached to the ‘reason’ that the person is apologizing, and may be either positive or negative.
  • 約束(やくそく)守(まも)なくてすみません。
    I am sorry that I wasn't able to keep my promise.
  • タケシジャケットに水(みず)こぼしちゃっごめん。
    Takeshi, I am sorry that I spilled water on your jacket.
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「こしょう取(と)っ。」
"(Please) pass me the pepper."
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ちょっと待(ま)っまだ聞(き)きたいことがある。」
"(Please) wait a second. I still have questions!"
[待って is used when we request another person to stop what are they doing at the moment, or what are they about to do. In this example, the hearer might be about to go somewhere]
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誰(だれ)か助(たす)け!」
"(Please) somebody help me!"
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