An introduction to Japanese - Syntax, Grammar & Language

3.2. FURTHER INFLECTIONS 133

3.2.10 Requesting: ,

Imperative request

We already saw that we can use the verb + to form a

request,

”Two coffee, please.”

But we can also use the plain form to form an informal request,

or plea:

”Wait (please)”

”Buy this (for me)?”

Of course, like all requests, they can be made to sound demanding,

so intonation counts. If we say instead of , cuĴing out the stop

in the middle to sound curt, then rather than a request this may very well

be experienced as a command instead. Similarly, saying in a stern

tone might be less commanding than , but will still be experienced as

a command more than as request.

Prohibitive request

This kind of requesting can of course also be done in a prohibitive manner,
in which case we rely on the continuative form for using ,
:

(Please) don’t go.

The ”please” is implied, and this form is very much like begging

someone to not do something. The more polite way, using an explicit

’please’ uses the continuative +

:

Please don’t go.