Kore kudasai means "I'll take this" or, more literally, "please give me this" in Japanese.
This phrase is a common way to indicate that you want to purchase or receive a specific item that you are pointing to or referring to.
Understanding the Components
To fully grasp the meaning, let's break down the phrase:
- Kore (これ): This is a demonstrative pronoun meaning "this" (when referring to something near the speaker).
- Kudasai (ください): This is a versatile word used to make requests.
The reference states that "kudasai following a noun means 'give me.'" In kore o kudasai, kore is a noun (or acting as one), and kudasai follows it. The particle o (を), though often omitted in casual speech, marks kore as the direct object – the thing you want to be given. So, the literal meaning is "please give me this."
However, in common usage, especially when shopping or choosing an item, "kore o kudasai means 'I'll take this'". This reflects the practical application of asking someone to give you the item you've indicated.
Different Uses of Kudasai
The word kudasai is a key part of making requests in Japanese. As the reference notes:
- Noun + kudasai: Means "give me [noun]".
- Example: Mizu kudasai (水ください) - Please give me water / I'll take water.
- Example: Menyuu kudasai (メニューください) - Please give me the menu.
- Verb (te-form) + kudasai: Means "please do [verb]". This is used to politely ask someone to perform an action.
- Example: Mite kudasai (見てください) - Please look.
- Example: Suwatte kudasai (座ってください) - Please sit down.
Here's a quick summary:
| Structure | Meaning | Usage Example |
|---|---|---|
| Kore (o) kudasai | I'll take this | Pointing to an item |
| [Noun] kudasai | Give me [noun] | Requesting an object |
| [Verb (te-form)] kudasai | Please do [verb] | Requesting an action |
Practical Application: Using Kore Kudasai
You'll most commonly hear and use kore kudasai when:
- Shopping in a store or market and pointing to an item you want to buy.
- Ordering food or drink and pointing to something on display or a menu (though other phrases like kore onegaishimasu are also common).
- Asking someone to hand you a specific item nearby.
Using this phrase is a simple and effective way to communicate your desire for a particular item. Remember the literal meaning ("please give me this") helps understand why it translates to "I'll take this" in contexts like shopping.
