The 'Pre-emptive' Request Trick: Otesuu okake shimasu (お手数おかけします)

Hello everyone, after tumbling around in Japan for over 10 years, I've realized one of the biggest differences between a 'fluent' Japanese speaker and a 'standard' one lies in the use of 'cushion words' (クッション言葉 - cushion kotoba). And today, we're going to break down one of the most powerful cushion words: 'Otesuu okake shimasu' (お手数おかけします).

You've probably wanted to ask someone for a favor and just said 「すみません、お願いがあります」(Excuse me, I have a favor to ask). This sentence isn't wrong, but it's a bit... 'too direct.'

The Japanese, with their culture of always considering others (気遣い - kizukai) first, would choose a much softer approach.

What is 'Otesuu okake shimasu'? 🤔

It literally means 'I (will) cause you trouble/effort.'

This is a pre-emptive apology. You say this BEFORE making your request, as a way of acknowledging 'I know what I'm about to ask will bother you and take up your time, and I feel very bad about that.'

This action immediately shows that you are an extremely subtle and considerate person.

How to Use It Correctly? ✍️

It usually stands at the beginning of a sentence, followed by「が」or「が、」.

Real-life example:

Instead of saying:

❌ 「すみません、この書類、明日までに確認してもらえませんか？」 (Excuse me, could you check this document for me by tomorrow?)

Upgrade it to:

✅ 「お手数おかけしますが、こちらの書類、明日までにご確認いただけますでしょうか？」 (I'm sorry to trouble you, but would you be so kind as to confirm this document for me by tomorrow?)

Sounds completely different, right? Your request becomes gentler, more humble, and the chances of it being accepted are much higher. 🙏

Don't Forget to Say Thank You Afterwards! 🙇‍♂️

After someone has helped you, you should change this phrase to the past tense to express your gratitude.

「お忙しいところ、お手数おかけしました。ありがとうございました。」 (I troubled you when you were busy. Thank you very much.)

Conclusion

'Otesuu okake shimasu' is not just a polite phrase. It is a tool to show respect and understanding for the other person's effort. Mastering this 'special move' will not only help you communicate more effectively in the workplace but also score you major subtlety points in the eyes of the Japanese.

Next time you need to ask someone for something, try 'pre-empting' with this phrase! 😉