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    お手数ですが (otesū desu ga)

    Grammar & Usage

    fixed expression
    polite

    How it works

    This phrase is a polite opening when asking someone to do something that might be inconvenient or take effort. It literally means 'it is trouble/inconvenience, but...' (お手数: 'trouble/inconvenience,' です: 'is,' が: 'but'). It softens the request that follows, showing consideration for the other person's time or effort.

    Sample sentences

    お手数ですが、ご確認いただけますでしょうか。

    Sorry to trouble you, but could you please confirm this?

    お手数ですが、こちらの書類にご記入をお願いいたします。

    I'm sorry for the inconvenience, but please fill out these documents.

    お手数ですが、もう一度説明していただけませんか。

    Sorry to trouble you, but could you explain it one more time?

    Quick facts

    politeness:Highly polite. Used to show deference and mitigate the imposition of a request. Essential in business and formal communications.
    usageContext:Always precedes a request or an instruction that might require effort from the recipient.

    Mnemonic

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    Example

    お手数ですが、ご確認いただけますでしょうか。

    Sorry to trouble you, but could you please confirm this?

    お手数ですが、こちらの書類にご記入をお願いいたします。

    I'm sorry for the inconvenience, but please fill out these documents.

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