We have been learning the section 41 which introduce some giving/receiving sentences in respect of treatment expressions. The sentences so far from A1 through A6 are so-called declarative sentences in which a speaker say only what had really happened. But the sentences in the exercise A7 are not declarative sentences. The sentences have a function to exert an influence to a listener in conversation. Think about how to say you want to ask someone to do something. You may use “[V-te]+kudasai” which was introduced in the exercise A2, the section 14. Today’s sentence construction is to raise “[V-te]+kudasai” to be more polite to the level of honorific expressions as below;
– [V-te] + kudasai masenka.
And some examples;
1. Toukyou madeno Iki kata o Oshiete kudasai masenka.
(Would you please tell me how to get to Tokyo?)
2. Gohan o Sukunaku Shite kudasai masenka.
(Would you please make my rice a small portion?)
Sukunai : I-adjective ; few, a little amount
Since it is an I-adjective, when “Sukunai” modifies the verb “Suru/Shimasu”, it should be “Sukunaku”. Don’t say “Sukunaini”.
3. Koko de Oshaberi suru no wa Yamete kudasai masenka.
(Would you please stop chatting here?)
Oshaberi-suru/Oshaberi-shimasu : Verb : chat, talk
Refer to A1 S38 about “no wa”
When it comes to making a sentence for asking an honorific expression, we have already learned in the exercise A5 of the section 26. That was;
[V-te]+itadake masenka.
4. Shashin ga Hoshii n desuga, Dejitaru De’eta o Okutte itadake masenka.
(I need photographs, so could you please send me the digital data?)
In most of the cases, you can also say with today’s expression;
5. Shashin ga Hoshii n desuga, Dejitaru De’eta o Okutte kudasai masenka.
Then, what is the difference between “[V-te] itadake masenka” and “[V-te] kudasai masenka”? “[V-te] itadake masenka” is introduced much earlier, in the section 26, while “[V-te] kudasai masenka” in the section 41. Note that more basic, more important, and more widely used expressions are introduced earlier in Miina no Nihongo (“[V-te] kudasai” is in the section 14). So, when you find an expression that looks to have similar function to the expression you have already learned, check which section it was introduced. The earlier introduction means the more importance.
It is just my impression, though, “[V-te] itadake masenka” is slightly more often used than “[V-te] kudasai masenka”. Let me write a little about these two expressions;
-“[V-te] itadake masenka”
“itadake” is “Masu-form without ‘masu’” of potential form “Itadakeru/Itadakemasu” that comes from the verb “Itadaku/Itadakimasu”. And the verb “Itadaku/Itadakimasu” is the humble word of “Morau/Moraimasu”. Since it’s a humble word, the subject is usually “Watashi (I)”. In the context of “giving/receiving”, “Watashi” is the receiver. Therefore, “Itadaku” is the word when “Watashi” becomes humble for the receiving act. Plus, “Itadaku” has become the potential form “Itadakeru”. This adds a nuance of whether it’s possible or not.
– “[V-te] kudasai masenka”.
“kudasai” is “Masu-form without ‘masu’” of “Kudasaru/Kudasaimasu”, although a little bit caution is needed that “kudasai” is the euphonic form of “kudasari”. Anyway, the verb “Kudasaru/Kudasaimasu” is an honorific of “Kureru/Kuremasu”. Since it’s an honorific, the subject is a person who is superior to the speaker. In the context of “giving/receiving”, the subject of “Kudasaru” is the giver. Therefore, the word “Kudasaru” is to pay respect to the act of giving by the superior person
In the situation of asking to do something for you, and you are going to ask a person who is superior to you, which is better to use?
– itadake masenka : your act of receiving
– kudasai masenka : superior person’s act of giving
Probably many Japanese tend to steer clear of mention a superior person’s act. Rather, Japanese may think it is better to be humble about his/her own act. This is the reason I think people prefer “itadake masenka” to “kudasai masenka”.
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This post was written with reference to the exercise A6 on Section41 of “Minna no Nihongo (2nd Edition)” published by “3A Corporation”
