Abstract

There are two major formulaic expressions used in ordering food or other items such as books: onegai shimasu and kudasai. O-negai shimasu means ‘I would like to make a request’ and is used in making a request for the addressee’s services or actions. The other expression is kudasai, which means ‘please give me X.’ This expression is normally used when making a request for specific items or objects rather than for the addressee’s services.