伺い・伺|うかがいukagai[0]heiban (flat)

1. nouncall; visit
2. nouninquiry; enquiry; question

• Related申し込みもうしこみNeutralSigning up or applying for something — you put yourself forward to join or order. 「伺い」 is asking a superior for instructions or paying a visit.
• Related質問しつもんNeutralThe everyday word for asking a question, used regardless of rank. 「伺い」 humbly seeks instructions or information.
• Related要求ようきゅうNeutralA strong, forceful demand — the opposite in tone of the deferential 「伺い」.
• Related問い合わせといあわせNeutralAsking a company or service counter for information; a standard business term, with no nuance of asking a superior for instructions.
• Related要請ようせいFormalA formal request that someone take action, typical between governments and institutions.
• Related申請しんせいFormalA formal application to an office or organization, e.g. for a visa, leave or reimbursement; it is not a request for a superior's instructions.
• Related請求せいきゅうNeutralDemanding something as your right, such as payment or compensation; the tone is assertive, not deferential.
• Related要望ようぼうNeutralVoicing a wish for something to be improved or provided — the usual word for feedback and requests.
• Related願いねがいNeutralA wish or plea in a general sense, without the humble upward-looking tone of 「伺い」.
• Related依頼いらいNeutralAsking someone to do a task for you; in business 「ご依頼」 is common. It is a commission, not a request for instructions.
• Related問いといNeutralThe question itself — as in test items or philosophical queries — not an act of seeking guidance.
• Related申し入れもうしいれFormalFormally presenting your intent or demands to the other side, typical in negotiations between organizations.
• Related催促さいそくNeutralPressing someone to fulfill an agreement, politely or firmly; unlike 「伺い」, it is not a deferential request upward.
• Related懇請こんせいFormalAn earnest, extremely formal plea, mostly in written documents; more pressing in tone than 「伺い」.
• RelatedリクエストNeutralA request like asking for a song or placing an order; a colloquial loanword with nothing to do with seeking instructions.
• Related申し出もうしでNeutralVolunteering help or making a request of your own accord — the emphasis is on speaking up first.
• Relatedお願い事おねがいごとNeutralA favor you want someone to do for you; colloquial. 「伺い」 is directed upward, humbly seeking a superior's instructions.
• Related問いかけといかけNeutralPosing a question to someone, often to make them think; it carries no sense of asking a superior for instructions.
• Related求めもとめNeutralA demand or need, also a purchase; slightly literary, and without any humble nuance.
• Related請いこいWrittenAn archaic, literary noun for entreaty, now rare; the verb 「請う」 is more common, as in 「教えを請う」.

Use 「お伺い」 (as in 「お伺いを立てる」) when humbly seeking a superior's instructions. For ordinary questions say 「質問」; for inquiries to a company or service desk, 「問い合わせ」; for asking someone to do a task, 「依頼」. 「要求」 and 「請求」 are assertive demands, 「申請」 a formal application to an office, 「要請」 and 「申し入れ」 formal approaches between organizations, and 「リクエスト」 a casual request like a song dedication.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. （うかがい）指示しじを仰あおぐこと。そのための書状しょじょう。