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Japan Know How

Could I have the key? in Japanese

Could I have the key? in Japanese

鍵をお願いします

In kana only: かぎをおねがいします

kagi o onegai shimasu

polite

What it literally says

key, please

Japanese politeness is mostly built out of phrases that stopped being literal a long time ago. Knowing what is underneath is the difference between repeating a sound and knowing what you said.

When to use it

Many ryokan still use physical keys handed over at a desk.

Next in Hotels and Ryokan

The rest of the phrasebook

All 337 phrases →