المعنى
Encouraging someone to proceed without concern for your presence.
خلفية ثقافية
The phrase reflects the 'Enryo' (restraint) culture. Guests are expected to decline hospitality at least once to show they are not greedy or burdensome. In offices, 'Okamainaku' is used to maintain 'Wa' (harmony). It allows subordinates to keep working even when a superior enters the room, preventing a total loss of productivity. In Kyoto, politeness can be double-edged. If a host insists on tea after you say 'Okamainaku,' it's genuine. If they don't, they might have been hoping you'd leave! On platforms like X (Twitter), users use 'Okamainaku' in their bios to tell people they don't need to follow back or reply to every post.
The Hand Gesture
When saying 'Okamainaku,' lightly wave one hand in front of your chest or face. This visual 'dismissal' makes the phrase feel much more natural and warm.
Don't be too cold
If you say it too quickly without a smile, it can sound like 'Don't touch me.' Always pair it with a soft expression.
المعنى
Encouraging someone to proceed without concern for your presence.
The Hand Gesture
When saying 'Okamainaku,' lightly wave one hand in front of your chest or face. This visual 'dismissal' makes the phrase feel much more natural and warm.
Don't be too cold
If you say it too quickly without a smile, it can sound like 'Don't touch me.' Always pair it with a soft expression.
The 'Second Offer' Rule
In Japan, if you say 'Okamainaku' and they offer again, it's usually okay to accept. The first 'Okamainaku' is often seen as a polite formality.
اختبر نفسك
Fill in the blank to politely tell your host not to make tea.
A: お茶を入れましょうか？ B: あ、どうぞ____。すぐ失礼しますので。
'Okamainaku' is the standard phrase for declining hospitality politely.
Which situation is MOST appropriate for 'Okamainaku, douzo'?
Choose the best scenario:
The phrase is used to tell someone to continue their work without minding you.
Complete the dialogue in a business setting.
Client: 椅子を持ってきましょうか？ You: いえ、立っていたほうが楽ですので、どうぞ____。
You are declining the offer of a chair and telling them not to go to the trouble.
Which of these is the most formal way to say 'Don't mind me'?
Select the best option:
The addition of 'douzo' and the honorific 'o' makes it the most formal.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
وسائل تعلم بصرية
بنك التمارين
4 تمارينA: お茶を入れましょうか？ B: あ、どうぞ____。すぐ失礼しますので。
'Okamainaku' is the standard phrase for declining hospitality politely.
Choose the best scenario:
The phrase is used to tell someone to continue their work without minding you.
Client: 椅子を持ってきましょうか？ You: いえ、立っていたほうが楽ですので、どうぞ____。
You are declining the offer of a chair and telling them not to go to the trouble.
Select the best option:
The addition of 'douzo' and the honorific 'o' makes it the most formal.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
الأسئلة الشائعة
4 أسئلةNo, it's actually very polite. It shows you are thinking about the other person's schedule and effort. However, with very close friends, it might feel too formal.
Yes, especially when you are visiting a client and want to tell them not to prepare anything special. '当日はどうぞお構いなく' is a common phrase.
'Ki ni shinaide' is 'Don't worry about it' (casual). 'Okamainaku' is 'Don't go to any trouble' (formal/polite).
It's safer to say 'Okamainaku' once. If they are a good host, they will offer again or just bring them anyway. If you accept immediately, you might seem a bit 'zuuzuushii' (impudent).
عبارات ذات صلة
お気遣いなく
synonymDon't worry about it / Don't spend your mental energy on me.
遠慮なく
contrastWithout hesitation / Go ahead.
お気になさらず
similarPlease don't let it bother you.
お構いできませんで
builds onI'm sorry I couldn't host you properly.
