Polite English

How to Ask for Things Without Sounding Rude

2 min read

Have you ever worried that your English sounds too direct? You're not alone! In Japanese, people are used to being very polite, especially when making requests. But in English, it can feel confusing — what’s polite, and what’s too strong?

Don't worry — in this post, we’ll go over easy ways to sound more polite and natural when asking for things in English. Let’s go!

✨ Why Is Politeness Important?

In many cultures, especially in Japan, how you say something is just as important as what you say. English is the same! If you're too direct, you might sound angry or bossy — even if you don’t mean to.

Compare these two:

❌ “Give me water.”
✅ “Could I have some water, please?”

The first one sounds like an order. The second one is friendly and polite — much better for daily conversation.

✨ Useful Phrases to Ask Politely

Here are some super helpful phrases you can start using right away:

🗣 “Could you…?”

Use this when you want someone to do something for you.

“Could you help me with this?”
“Could you tell me where the station is?”

🗣 “Would you mind…?”

This one is even more polite. Be careful — the grammar is different!

“Would you mind helping me?”
“Would you mind if I sat here?”

Tip: If you’re not sure, "would you mind" is always a safe choice.

🗣 “Can I / Could I…?”

Ask for permission or things you want.

“Can I try this on?”
“Could I have an English menu, please?”

✨ Add These Words to Sound Softer

Please – “Can I have this, please?”
Just – “Can I just ask one question?”
Maybe – “Maybe we could go later?”
A little – “Could you speak a little slower?”

These words make your sentence feel softer and more friendly. Native speakers use them all the time.

✨ From Direct to Polite: Easy Fixes

Even if your grammar is correct, some sentences can still sound too strong or unfriendly. This happens a lot when translating directly from Japanese. Here are some common examples — and simple ways to make them sound more polite and natural:

❌ “Give me the menu.” → ✅ “Could I see the menu, please?”
❌ “I want water.” → ✅ “Can I have some water?”
❌ “You need to help me.” → ✅ “Could you help me, please?”

Just by changing the words a little, your English becomes softer and more friendly — and much easier for people to respond to with a smile 😊

✨ Mini Practice: Make These Sentences Polite

Try to rewrite these in a more polite way:

“Tell me the time.”
“I want to go now.”
“Move your bag.”
“Give me a discount.”

You don’t need to be too polite all the time — just being a little softer helps you sound more natural and friendly. Try using “could you,” “would you mind,” or “can I” next time you make a request