# お～願う: please do; ask someone to do

> Learn how to use お～願う, a JLPT N2 Japanese grammar point meaning please do; ask someone to do, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.

JLPT level: N2 · Updated: 2026-05-06 · Canonical: https://hane-app.com/blog/n2-o-negau/

**お～願う** means **please do; ask someone to do**. It is a **JLPT N2** Japanese grammar pattern used to **make a polite request using humble/formal wording**.

This grammar point often appears in advanced reading, formal writing, notices, essays, and careful conversation. If you want to read Japanese with more nuance, **お～願う** is a useful pattern to learn because it shows the speaker's logic, stance, or emphasis.

## What does お～願う mean?

Use **お～願う** when you want to **make a polite request using humble/formal wording**.

Natural translations include:
- please do; ask someone to do
- depending on context
- in a way that matches the speaker's emphasis

The best translation depends on the sentence. Focus first on what relationship the pattern creates between the ideas.

## How to form お～願う

お + Verb stem + 願う

Examples of the pattern:
- こちらにお名前をお書き願います。
- しばらくお待ち願います。
- ご確認のうえ

In JLPT questions, pay close attention to the word immediately before the grammar point. Many wrong answers use a similar meaning but attach to the wrong form.

## When is お～願う used?

Use **お～願う** in situations like:
- reading formal explanations, announcements, or essays
- making a point more precise than a basic grammar pattern would
- connecting two ideas with a clear nuance

Tone and register:
- usually neutral to formal, depending on the expression
- common in JLPT N2 reading passages, news, notices, and business-like writing

## お～願う example sentences

- こちらにお名前をお書き願います。 — Please write your name here.
- しばらくお待ち願います。 — Please wait for a moment.
- ご確認のうえ、お返事願います。 — Please check and reply.
- 会場内では携帯電話の電源をお切り願います。 — Please turn off your mobile phone inside the venue.
- 詳細は受付でお尋ね願います。 — Please ask at reception for details.

After reading each sentence, ask what job **お～願う** is doing. Is it adding, excluding, warning, emphasizing, or showing a condition? That habit makes the nuance easier to remember than a single English translation.

## Nuance of お～願う

The key nuance is **make a polite request using humble/formal wording**.

This matters because N2 grammar often overlaps with easier expressions. The advanced pattern usually adds formality, emphasis, restriction, or a stronger logical relationship.

For example:
- In formal writing, **お～願う** often sounds more precise than a casual equivalent.
- Compared with **てください**, it has a different tone or scope even when the English translation looks similar.

## お～願う vs てください

Both **お～願う** and **てください** can express related ideas, but they are different.

**お～願う**:
- fits the N2 nuance explained above
- often sounds more specific, formal, or emphatic

**てください**:
- is usually broader, simpler, or used in a different register
- may be better in casual conversation depending on the sentence

Quick contrast examples:
- こちらにお名前をお書き願います。
- Try rewriting the sentence with **てください** and notice whether the tone or meaning changes.

## Common mistakes with お～願う

Watch out for these mistakes:
- Translating it too literally and missing the function in context
- Confusing it with **てください** just because the English translation overlaps
- Using it in casual speech when a simpler pattern would sound more natural

A helpful practice method is to write one sentence with **お～願う**, then compare it with a related grammar point. Explain the difference in your own words.

## Is お～願う on the JLPT?

Yes. **お～願う** is commonly taught as **JLPT N2** grammar.

That means learners should be able to:
- recognize it in reading
- understand its nuance in context
- use it in simple original sentences

For test preparation, study the grammar point in full sentences. JLPT questions usually test context, not dictionary translation alone.

## Practice questions for お～願う

Try making your own sentences with these prompts:
- Write one sentence that clearly needs **お～願う**.
- Write a second sentence with **てください** and compare the nuance.
- Find a notice, article, or dialogue where this kind of meaning would be natural.

## Learning path for お～願う

To learn **お～願う** efficiently, follow a path that matches this pattern's real function.

1. First review the formation so the base structure feels natural.
2. Then compare **お～願う** with **てください** and the related lessons below. These recommendations are chosen from similar semantic or structural families.
3. Finally, write your own sentence where the context makes **お～願う** necessary.

## Related grammar to review next

- [n5 te kudasai](/blog/n5-te-kudasai/) — review this next because it is close in meaning, form, or register
- [n4 o kudasai](/blog/n4-o-kudasai/) — review this next because it is close in meaning, form, or register
- [n5 naide kudasai](/blog/n5-naide-kudasai/) — review this next because it is close in meaning, form, or register

## Learn お～願う with Hane

If you want to review **お～願う** together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you connect grammar, kanji, and vocabulary in short, focused sessions.

Browse more lessons here:
- [All grammar lessons](/blog/)
- [JLPT N2 grammar lessons](/blog/n2/)