This is a casual way to ask someone to do something for you. It is often used by women or children. Adults might use it with children or pets.
Verb [て-form] + ちょうだいPrimary
This is a casual way to ask someone to do something for you. It is often used by women or children. Adults might use it with children or pets.
ねえ、そこの本を取ってちょうだい。
Hey, get that book over there for me, will you?
お母さんは子供に「もうテレビを見ないで、早く寝てちょうだい」と言いました。
The mother told her child, "Don't watch any more TV, hurry up and go to sleep for me."
「ママ、あのお菓子買ってちょうだい！」と子供がねだった。
The child pleaded, "Mom, buy me that snack!"
悪いけど、この荷物を部屋まで運んでちょうだい。
Sorry to ask, but could you carry this luggage to the room for me?
もう、そんなに意地悪しないでちょうだい。
Come on, don't be so mean to me.
This phrase sounds very soft. Women and children often use it. They use it with people they know very well. A grown man would rarely use it. It makes your request feel very close and friendly.
This is different from 〜てください. That one is always polite. This one is very casual. You use it with family or close friends. You can also use it with children or pets. It is softer than just saying 〜て. But it can sound bossy if you use it in the wrong place.
Don't use this when talking to your boss. Using it with a teacher is very rude. Use "~てください" instead.
Less formal alternatives(1)
Track your mastery
Kumi's KMT system tracks your mastery across kanji, vocabulary, grammar, and reading. Create a free account to use it on 220,000+ concepts.