Meaning & Usage
✨ Basic Meaning
‘Zehi’ (ぜひ) translates to ‘by all means,’ ‘definitely,’ or ‘at any cost.’ It is used to emphasize a strong desire, a polite request, or an enthusiastic invitation.
🎯 Primary Function
An adverb used to add emotional emphasis to expressions of wishing, requesting, or inviting.
📋 Grammar Structure
ぜひ + Verb (たい / てください / ましょう / てほしい)
Not applicable (used as an adverb before verbs/adjectives expressing desire).
Not applicable (used as an adverb).
Not typically used in negative forms; emphasizes positive desire.
🎭 Usage Contexts
Formal Situations
Used frequently in business to show eagerness to meet or cooperate.
Informal Situations
Used with friends to make invitations sound more genuine.
Written Language
Common in letters, emails (especially thank-you notes), and social media posts.
Spoken Language
Extremely common in spoken invitations and expressions of intent.
💡 Common Applications
Expressing Personal Desire
Used with the ~tai form to show a strong inner wish.
Example: ぜひ日本に行きたい。 (I definitely want to go to Japan.)
Inviting Someone
Used with ~te kudasai to make an invitation sound warm and sincere.
Example: ぜひ遊びに来てください。 (Please definitely come over to play/visit.)
Making Suggestions
Used with ~mashou to show strong agreement or enthusiasm for a plan.
Example: ぜひやりましょう！ (Let’s definitely do it!)
Frequency
Very High – Commonly used in daily conversation and business invitations.
Difficulty
JLPT N4 (Basic/Intermediate)
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Example Sentences
Example #1
ぜひ、私の家に遊びに来てください。
Furigana: ぜひ、わたしのうちに あそびに きてください。
Romaji: Zehi, watashi no ie ni asobi ni kite kudasai.
English: Please come and visit my house by all means.
Example #2
ぜひその映画を見たいです。
Furigana: ぜひ そのえいがを みたいです。
Romaji: Zehi sono eiga o mitai desu.
English: I really want to see that movie.
Example #3
日本へ行ったら、ぜひ京都を訪ねてください。
Furigana: にほんへ いったら、ぜひ きょうとを たずねてください。
Romaji: Nihon e ittara, zehi Kyoto o tazunete kudasai.
English: If you go to Japan, please definitely visit Kyoto.
Example #4
今度、ぜひ一緒に食事をしましょう。
Furigana: こんど、ぜひ いっしょに しょくじを しましょう。
Romaji: Kondo, zehi issho ni shokuji o shimashou.
English: Let’s definitely have a meal together next time.
Example #5
この本はとても面白いので、ぜひ読んでみてください。
Furigana: このほんは とても おもしろいので、ぜひ よんでみてください。
Romaji: Kono hon wa totemo omoshiroi node, zehi yonde mite kudasai.
English: This book is very interesting, so please do read it.
Example #6
ぜひ一度お会いしたいと思っております。
Furigana: ぜひ いちど おあいしたいと おもっております。
Romaji: Zehi ichido o-ai shitai to omotte orimasu.
English: I would very much like to meet you once.
Example #7
新しいプロジェクトには、ぜひ彼に参加してほしい。
Furigana: あたらしいプロジェクトには、ぜひ かれに さんかしてほしい。
Romaji: Atarashii purojekuto ni wa, zehi kare ni sanka shite hoshii.
English: I definitely want him to participate in the new project.
Example #8
ぜひ教えていただけませんか。
Furigana: ぜひ おしえていただけませんか。
Romaji: Zehi oshiete itadakemasen ka.
English: Could you please teach me by all means?
Example #9
富士山にぜひ登ってみたいです。
Furigana: ふじさんに ぜひ のぼってみたいです。
Romaji: Fujisan ni zehi nobotte mitai desu.
English: I really want to try climbing Mt. Fuji once.
Example #10
チャンスがあれば、ぜひ留学したいです。
Furigana: チャンスがあれば、ぜひ りゅうがくしたいです。
Romaji: Chansu ga areba, zehi ryuugaku shitai desu.
English: If there is a chance, I definitely want to study abroad.
Notes & Nuances
📌 Important Points
Subjectivity and Feeling
‘Zehi’ adds a layer of ‘I really want you to,’ making it feel less like a directive and more like a warm welcome.
Example: ぜひ来てください (Please do come) vs 来てください (Please come).
Paired with Requests
It can be used as a standalone phrase to enthusiastically accept an offer.
Example: ぜひお願いします (I definitely ask this of you / Yes, please).
⚠️ Common Mistakes
❌ 明日、ぜひ雨が降るでしょう。
✅ 明日、必ず雨が降るでしょう。 (It will definitely rain tomorrow.)
‘Zehi’ is for subjective feelings/desires. For objective certainty or natural phenomena, use ‘Kanarazu’.
🏛️ Cultural Context
Politeness Level: Safe for all politeness levels. In formal speech, it is often paired with humble or honorific verbs.
Social Situations: Essential for Japanese social etiquette when inviting someone; using just ‘kudasai’ can sound like a command, but ‘zehi … kudasai’ sounds like a sincere request.
Regional Variations: Standard Japanese used nationwide.
🔍 Subtle Differences
Zehi vs. Kanarazu
‘Zehi’ is subjective (I want/I request). ‘Kanarazu’ is objective (100% logic/truth).
When to use: Use ‘Zehi’ for your heart’s desire; use ‘Kanarazu’ for rules or promises.
Zehi vs. Kitto
‘Kitto’ is a strong guess/expectation. ‘Zehi’ is a strong intent/invitation.
When to use: Use ‘Kitto’ when assuming something will happen. Use ‘Zehi’ when you want it to happen.
📝 Conjugation Notes
‘Zehi’ is an adverb and does not conjugate. It is usually placed at the beginning of the sentence or right before the verb phrase it emphasizes.
🔊 Pronunciation Tips
Pronounce both syllables clearly (ze-hi). Avoid dragging the ‘i’ too long.
🧠 Memory Tips
Think of ‘Zehi’ as ‘The Zest of Desire.’ It adds flavor and intensity to what you want to do or what you want others to do.
Other Grammar
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