How to use 〜お〜願う (o~negau): A Streetwise JLPT N2 Grammar Guide

spare my life

どうか命いのちだけはお助たすけ願ねがいます
Please, I’m begging you, just spare my life.

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Read the explanation below to understand the nuance of how this grammar structure is used.

This ain’t your regular “please.” This is that humble-ass, “I’m on my knees” request. This is deep kenjougo (humble language). You use this when you’re talking to the real boss—the don, the oyabun, the man who can end you with a single phone call.

Metaphor: Using 〜お〜願う is “bending the knee.” You’re showing you know your place. You’re not an equal. You’re a soldier asking the general for a favor, so you show that respect.


Grammar Conjugation Guide.

Read the table below then use it to conjugate some words you know.

Here’s the blueprint for how you beg.

FormulaExampleTranslation
お + V (ます-stem) + 願う (negau)お許ゆるし願ねがいますI humbly ask for forgiveness.
お + V (ます-stem) + 願えませんか (negaemasen ka)お待まち願ねがえませんかCould I humbly ask you to wait?

For this, you take your verb, drop the masu, and sandwich that stem between お and 願ねがう You usually end it with negaimasu (present) or negaemasen ka (asking a question) to be extra polite. This is high-level respect.


Example sentences

Read the examples to figure out how the grammar works.

This is how you talk when you’re in the hot seat.

  1. 組長くみちょう、どうか私わたしの言いい分ぶんをお聞きき願ねがいます。
    Boss, please, I beg you to hear my side of the story.
  2. アニキ、このシマだけは私わたしにお任まかせ願ねがえませんか?
    Big bro, could I humbly ask you to entrust this turf to me?
  3. 会長かいちょう、奴やつの始末しまつは、この私わたしにお申もうし付つけ願ねがいます。
    Chairman, please command me to be the one to… dispose of him.
  4. この度たびの無礼ぶれい、何卒なにとぞお許ゆるし願ねがいます。
    I humbly beg your forgiveness for my disrespect this time.
  5. 若わか頭がしら、もう一いち日にちだけ猶予ゆうよをお与あたえ願ねがいます。
    Lieutenant, please grant me just one more day’s grace.
  6. 人質ひとじちを解放かいほうしてほしくば、この要求ようきゅうをお飲のみ願ねがおうか。
    If you want the hostage released, I’m gonna (humbly) ask you to accept these demands.
  7. この証拠しょうこをお改あらため願ねがいます。
    Please examine this evidence.
  8. あそこの金庫きんこ、どうか私わたしにお開あけ願ねがえませんか。
    That safe over there… could I please ask you to open it for me?
  9. この血ちの誓ちかいをお受うけ取とり願ねがいます。
    Please accept this blood oath.
  10. 敵てきのアジトへの潜入せんにゅうは、私わたしにお任まかせ願ねがいます。
    Please, I ask that you entrust the infiltration of the enemy hideout to me.

Stay dangerous

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