頂戴

• Reading: ちょうだい
• Romaji: choudai
• Kanji breakdown: 頂 (chou/itadaku) — summit, receive humbly; 戴 (tai/itadaku) — receive with reverence
• Pronunciation: /tɕoː.dai/

Meaning

Please give me; receiving humbly. A polite or affectionate way to ask for something or express gratitude for receiving.

Functions as both a noun and suru verb. As a casual request (ちょうだい), it is a softer alternative to ください — commonly used by women and children: お水ちょうだい (water, please). As a formal verb (頂戴する), it is an extremely humble way to say 'to receive,' more polite than いただく. The register shifts dramatically depending on whether hiragana or kanji is used.

Examples

1. お母さん、お水ちょうだい。 Mom, can I have some water?
2. お名前を頂戴できますか。 May I have your name, please?
3. お土産を頂戴して大変うれしいです。 I'm very grateful to have received the souvenir.

Usage Guide

Context: family, business, daily life

Tone: polite

Origin & History

Compound of 頂 (chou, summit/to receive humbly) and 戴 (tai, to receive with reverence). Both kanji share the meaning of receiving something held above one's head — the gesture of humble acceptance in traditional Japanese etiquette.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal