どうか (douka)

Meaning & usage

どうか is an adverb meaning please with a deeply earnest, pleading tone, used for heartfelt requests or strong hopes about important matters. It appears at the start of a sentence before a request form such as 話を聞いてください or 詳しく教えていただけませんか, or before a hope expressed with ますように, and it never conjugates. It fits serious and emotional situations, so it sounds exaggerated for small routine favors and is not used with negative prohibitions like ないでください.

Example sentences 6

1. どうか許ゆるして下ください。

   Please forgive me.

2. どうか助けてください。

   Please help me.

3. どうか話を聞いてください。

   Please listen to what I have to say.

4. どうかもう一度考えてください。

   Please think about it one more time.

5. どうか無事でいてください。

   Please stay safe.

6. どうか私を信じてください。

   Please believe me.