§ Understanding 遠慮なく (enryo naku)
The Japanese word 遠慮なく (enryo naku) is a really useful adverb. It means "without hesitation," "freely," or "frankly." You'll hear it a lot in situations where someone is encouraging you to do something without holding back, or when you want to tell someone you're going to do something directly.
- DEFINITION
- Without hesitation; freely, frankly.
遠慮なく召し上がってください。
Translation hint: Please eat without hesitation (i.e., help yourself).
何か質問があれば、遠慮なく聞いてください。
Translation hint: If you have any questions, please ask freely (i.e., don't hesitate to ask).
§ Similar Phrases and When to Use Them
While 遠慮なく is widely used, there are other phrases that convey similar meanings but with slight nuances. Knowing these can help you choose the most appropriate expression for different situations.
- 自由に (jiyuu ni): This means "freely" or "as you like." It's very similar to 遠慮なく but often emphasizes freedom of choice or action. You can use it when you want to tell someone they have complete liberty.
好きなように自由に使ってください。
Translation hint: Please use it freely, however you like.
- 気兼ねなく (kigane naku): This phrase means "without reserve," "without constraint," or "without hesitation due to worrying about others." It's often used when you want to assure someone that they shouldn't worry about inconveniencing you. This is a bit more about psychological comfort.
気兼ねなく話してください。
Translation hint: Please speak without holding back (i.e., don't hesitate due to worrying about me).
- 率直に (socchoku ni): This means "frankly," "candidly," or "honestly." This emphasizes directness in communication, especially when giving an opinion or feedback.
率直に意見を言います。
Translation hint: I will give my opinion frankly.
§ When to Use 遠慮なく vs. Alternatives
Choose 遠慮なく when you want to encourage someone to take action without holding back due to politeness or consideration for you. It's often used when offering something (food, help, etc.) or giving permission to ask questions.
Use 自由に when the emphasis is purely on having the freedom to choose or act as one pleases, without any restrictions. It's a bit broader than 遠慮なく.
Opt for 気兼ねなく when you want to reassure someone that they shouldn't feel reserved or worried about bothering you. This is good for situations where someone might be hesitant out of politeness or concern for your time/effort.
Go with 率直に when you are specifically talking about being honest and direct in your communication, especially regarding opinions or feelings.
How Formal Is It?
"ご遠慮なく、ご質問ください。 (Please ask questions without hesitation.)"
"遠慮なく使ってください。 (Please use it freely.)"
"遠慮なく言ってね。 (Feel free to say it.)"
Wusstest du?
The 'enryo' part of the word is also used in phrases like 'ご遠慮ください (go-enryo kudasai)' which means 'please refrain'.
Wichtige Grammatik
遠慮なく can be used before a verb to mean 'without holding back' or 'feel free to'.
遠慮なく召し上がってください。 (Please eat without hesitation/feel free to eat.)
It's often used in situations where you want to encourage someone to do something they might otherwise be hesitant about, like asking questions or taking more food.
何か質問があれば、遠慮なく聞いてください。 (If you have any questions, please ask freely/don't hesitate to ask.)
When someone offers something, you can say 遠慮なくいただきます (I'll gladly accept it) to show you appreciate the offer and will take it without reservation.
お茶をどうぞ。ーはい、遠慮なくいただきます。 (Please have some tea. - Yes, I'll gladly accept.)
It can also imply 'frankly' or 'candidly' when expressing an opinion or criticism.
遠慮なく意見を言わせてもらいます。 (Let me speak my mind frankly.)
Be mindful of the context. While it encourages directness, in some formal situations, overly direct speech might still be softened with other polite expressions.
ご意見があれば、遠慮なくお聞かせください。 (If you have any opinions, please feel free to share them with us.)
Beispiele nach Niveau
どうぞ遠慮なく召し上がってください。
Please eat without hesitation.
何かあったら、遠慮なく言ってください。
If something comes up, please say it freely.
遠慮なく質問してください。
Please ask questions freely.
困ったときは、遠慮なく私を頼ってください。
When you're in trouble, please rely on me without hesitation.
遠慮なく意見を言ってください。
Please give your opinion frankly.
遠慮なく中に入ってください。
Please come in without hesitation.
遠慮なく使ってください。
Please use it freely.
わからないことがあれば、遠慮なく聞いてください。
If there's anything you don't understand, please ask without hesitation.
どうぞ遠慮なく召し上がってください。
Please eat without hesitation.
質問があれば、遠慮なく聞いてください。
If you have questions, please ask freely.
困ったことがあったら、遠慮なく相談してください。
If you have any trouble, please consult me frankly.
彼の意見には遠慮なく反対しました。
I frankly disagreed with his opinion.
どうぞ遠慮なくお入りください。
Please come in without hesitation.
遠慮なく私の車を使ってください。
Please use my car freely.
何か必要なものがあれば、遠慮なく言ってください。
If you need anything, please say so freely.
彼は自分の意見を遠慮なく述べた。
He frankly stated his opinion.
Wortfamilie
Substantive
Verben
Adjektive
Wortherkunft
From '遠慮 (enryo)' meaning 'reserve, hesitation' and 'なく (naku)', the negative form of 'ある (aru)' meaning 'to be'.
Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: Originally meant 'without reserve' or 'without holding back'.
JaponicKultureller Kontext
When someone says '遠慮なくどうぞ (enryo naku douzo)' it's an invitation to feel free to do something, like eat or ask questions, without worrying about being polite or a bother. It's often used to encourage someone to take advantage of an offer fully.
Teste dich selbst 60 Fragen
どうぞ、お菓子を＿＿＿召し上がってください。
「遠慮なく」は「自由に」「ためらわずに」という意味で、ここではお菓子を自由に食べてほしいというニュアンスになります。
何か質問があれば、＿＿＿聞いてください。
質問があったら「ためらわずに」聞いてほしい、という意味なので「遠慮なく」が適切です。
困ったことがあれば、＿＿＿私に言ってください。
困っているなら「ためらわずに」言ってほしい、という意味で「遠慮なく」を使います。
自分の意見を＿＿＿言ってもいいですよ。
自分の意見を「ためらわずに」「自由に」言ってほしい時に「遠慮なく」を使います。
お茶をどうぞ、＿＿＿飲んでください。
お茶を「自由に」「気を遣わずに」飲んでほしいので「遠慮なく」が合います。
もし何か必要なものがあれば、＿＿＿言ってくださいね。
必要なものがあれば「ためらわずに」伝えてほしい、という気持ちを表す時に「遠慮なく」を使います。
Choose the sentence where 「遠慮なく」 is used correctly:
「遠慮なく」 means 'without hesitation' or 'freely'. Eating cake freely makes sense. The other options don't fit the meaning.
Which of these phrases is a good synonym for 「遠慮なく」?
「遠慮なく」 implies acting without reserve or freely, which aligns with 自由に.
When someone says 「遠慮なくどうぞ」, what do they mean?
「遠慮なくどうぞ」 is a common phrase meaning 'please feel free' or 'please don't hesitate'.
「遠慮なく」 can be used when you want someone to speak frankly.
Yes, it means 'frankly' or 'without hesitation', so it's appropriate for encouraging frank speech.
If you are very shy, you are acting 「遠慮なく」.
No, 「遠慮なく」 means to act without hesitation or reserve, which is the opposite of being shy.
You can say 「遠慮なく質問してください」 to invite someone to ask many questions.
Yes, this means 'Please ask questions without hesitation' or 'Please feel free to ask questions'.
This sentence means 'If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.' The order builds up to the complete thought.
This means 'Please help yourself (eat freely).' The standard polite request structure.
This translates to 'You should state your opinion frankly.' The structure emphasizes expressing one's thoughts without hesitation.
What does the speaker want you to do?
What is the speaker inviting you to do?
What kind of feedback is encouraged?
Read this aloud:
遠慮なく使ってください。
Focus: Enryo naku
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
何かあったら、遠慮なく連絡してください。
Focus: Renraku shite kudasai
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
遠慮なく、好きなものを取ってください。
Focus: Suki na mono o totte kudasai
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Choose the most appropriate response using 「遠慮なく」 to this situation: Your friend offers you a second helping of a delicious dish at their house.
「遠慮なくいただきます」 (Enryo naku itadakimasu) is a common and polite way to accept an offer freely, indicating you appreciate it and don't feel you need to hold back.
Which of the following scenarios best uses 「遠慮なく」?
「遠慮なく」 (Enryo naku) implies speaking or acting freely and frankly, without holding back. Expressing an honest opinion when invited to do so fits this meaning well.
You are at a party, and the host encourages everyone to take as much food as they like. What would you say to show you understand and appreciate the offer?
「遠慮せずに食べますね」 (Enryo sezu ni tabemasu ne) directly translates to 'I'll eat without holding back,' which aligns with the meaning of 「遠慮なく」 (Enryo naku) and shows you are taking the host's offer to eat freely.
It is appropriate to use 「遠慮なく」 when you want to politely refuse something.
「遠慮なく」 (Enryo naku) means 'without hesitation' or 'freely,' and is used to accept something or express oneself frankly. It is not used for polite refusal.
If someone says 「遠慮なく使ってください」 (Enryo naku tsukatte kudasai) about an item, it means they want you to use it freely without worrying about inconveniencing them.
「遠慮なく使ってください」 (Enryo naku tsukatte kudasai) literally means 'please use it without hesitation,' encouraging the person to use the item freely and comfortably.
Using 「遠慮なく」 always implies a negative or confrontational tone.
While 「遠慮なく」 (Enryo naku) can be used to express frank opinions, it is often used in a positive context to encourage someone to accept an offer freely or to indicate that one is accepting an offer with gratitude and without reservation.
You're at a friend's house in Japan, and they offer you more food. You genuinely want more and feel comfortable asking for it. Write a sentence using 遠慮なく to express this.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
遠慮なく、もう少しいただいてもいいですか？ (Without hesitation, may I have a little more?)
Imagine you're giving a presentation at work, and you want to encourage your colleagues to ask questions freely. Write a sentence telling them to ask questions without holding back.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
ご不明な点がございましたら、遠慮なくご質問ください。 (If you have any unclear points, please ask without hesitation.)
You are invited to a party and the host tells you to make yourself at home and enjoy freely. Write a sentence using 遠慮なく that the host might say.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
どうぞ遠慮なく、楽しんでいってください。 (Please, without hesitation, enjoy yourself.)
What does B mean by using 遠慮なくたくさん召し上がってください？
Read this passage:
A: このお菓子、とても美味しいですね。 B: ありがとうございます。もしよろしければ、遠慮なくたくさん召し上がってください。 C: では、お言葉に甘えていただきます。
What does B mean by using 遠慮なくたくさん召し上がってください？
遠慮なく (without hesitation) combined with たくさん召し上がってください (please eat a lot) clearly indicates an invitation to eat freely and generously.
遠慮なく (without hesitation) combined with たくさん召し上がってください (please eat a lot) clearly indicates an invitation to eat freely and generously.
What feeling did the speaker experience after hearing '何か困ったことがあれば、遠慮なく言ってね'?
Read this passage:
先日、友人の家を訪ねた時、彼は「何か困ったことがあれば、遠慮なく言ってね」と言ってくれた。その一言で、とても安心したのを覚えている。
What feeling did the speaker experience after hearing '何か困ったことがあれば、遠慮なく言ってね'?
The phrase 「安心したのを覚えている」(I remember feeling relieved) directly states the speaker's feeling, which was brought about by the friend's encouraging words to speak freely if there were any troubles.
The phrase 「安心したのを覚えている」(I remember feeling relieved) directly states the speaker's feeling, which was brought about by the friend's encouraging words to speak freely if there were any troubles.
What was the positive outcome of being told to ask questions without hesitation?
Read this passage:
新しい職場では、わからないことがあれば遠慮なく質問するように言われた。このおかげで、スムーズに仕事に慣れることができた。
What was the positive outcome of being told to ask questions without hesitation?
「スムーズに仕事に慣れることができた」(was able to adapt to the job smoothly) directly indicates the positive outcome of being encouraged to ask questions freely.
「スムーズに仕事に慣れることができた」(was able to adapt to the job smoothly) directly indicates the positive outcome of being encouraged to ask questions freely.
This sentence means 'If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.' The adverb 遠慮なく modifies the verb お尋ねください (please ask).
This means 'Please help yourself and eat without hesitation.' 遠慮なく modifies 召し上がってください (please eat).
This sentence translates to 'I stated my opinion frankly/without reservation.' 遠慮なく modifies the verb 述べた (stated).
困ったことがあったら、私に___質問してください。
「遠慮なく」は「躊躇せずに、自由に」という意味で、ここでは困ったときに気軽に質問してほしいというニュアンスに合います。
どうぞご意見を___お聞かせください。
「遠慮なく」は「気兼ねなく、自由に」という意味で、意見を自由に述べてほしいという文脈に最適です。
何か必要なものがあれば、___お申し付けください。
「遠慮なく」は「差し控えずに、自由に」という意味で、必要なものを気軽に言ってほしいという状況に合致します。
彼の意見はいつも___、正直でわかりやすい。
「遠慮なく」は「率直に、包み隠さず」という意味で、意見が正直でわかりやすいという説明に繋がります。
お茶のおかわりは___どうぞ。
「遠慮なく」は「気兼ねなく、自由に」という意味で、お茶のおかわりを自由に勧める場面で使われます。
この資料はご自由にお持ち帰りください。___。
「遠慮なく」は「差し控えずに、自由に」という意味で、資料を自由に持って帰ってほしいという意図を表します。
The speaker is encouraging questions.
The speaker wants honest opinions.
The speaker is offering help without reservation.
Read this aloud:
どうぞ遠慮なく召し上がってください。
Focus: えんりょなく, めしあがって
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
遠慮なく私の意見を述べさせていただきます。
Focus: えんりょなく, のべさせて
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
何か不明な点があれば、遠慮なくお申し付けください。
Focus: ふめいなてん, おおせつけ
Du hast gesagt:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
This is a common polite phrase inviting someone to ask questions freely. 'ご質問があれば' means 'If you have questions,' and '遠慮なくどうぞ' means 'please do so without hesitation.'
This sentence encourages someone to speak up freely when they are in trouble. '困ったときは' means 'when you are in trouble,' 'いつでも' means 'anytime,' and '遠慮なく言ってください' means 'please say so without hesitation.'
This sentence describes someone expressing their opinion frankly in a meeting. '会議で' means 'in the meeting,' '自分の意見を' means 'my opinion,' and '遠慮なく述べた' means 'stated without hesitation.'
/ 60 correct
Perfect score!
Beispiel
遠慮なく質問してください。
Verwandte Inhalte
Verwandte Redewendungen
Mehr family Wörter
還暦
B160th birthday (celebration of completing a 60-year cycle).
〜くらい
B1About; approximately; to the extent that.
認め合う
B1To recognize each other's worth; to acknowledge.
知人
B1Acquaintance.
顔見知り
A2Acquaintance; someone you know by sight.
甘える
B1To be spoiled, to fawn; to behave like a pampered child.
活発な
B1Active; lively; vigorous.
思春期
B1Adolescence; the period of transition from childhood to adulthood.
養子
B1Adopted child; a child taken into one's family by legal means.
養親
B2Adoptive parent.
