Phrase in 30 Seconds
A polite way to tell someone to help themselves or act freely without feeling shy or guilty.
- Means: 'Please go ahead without hesitation' or 'Help yourself' in social settings.
- Used in: Offering food, inviting questions, or giving permission to use facilities.
- Don't confuse: With 'Douzo' alone, which is less specific about removing social barriers.
Explication à ton niveau :
Signification
Inviting someone to take something or do something freely.
Contexte culturel
The 'Three Times' Rule: In traditional Japanese etiquette, it was often expected to decline an offer twice and only accept on the third time. '{遠慮|えんりょ}なくどうぞ' is the host's way of signaling that the 'dance' can end early. In Japanese companies, juniors often wait for seniors to speak. A leader saying '{遠慮|えんりょ}なくどうぞ' is a vital signal that 'psychological safety' is present and people can speak their minds. When receiving a gift, Japanese people often say '{遠慮|えんりょ}なくいただきます' (I will receive this without restraint). This acknowledges that the gift is a favor and they are accepting the kindness. The 'Enryo-no-katamari' (The Restraint Lump) refers to the last piece of food on a shared plate that no one wants to take because they don't want to seem greedy. Saying '{遠慮|えんりょ}なくどうぞ' is the only way to get someone to eat it!
The 'Double Offer'
If someone declines your first offer, wait 2 seconds and say '{遠慮|えんりょ}なくどうぞ' with a smile. This is the 'magic key' to getting a real answer.
Check for 'Naku'
Always listen for the 'naku'. Without it, 'Enryo kudasai' means 'Please DON'T do that.'
The 'Double Offer'
If someone declines your first offer, wait 2 seconds and say '{遠慮|えんりょ}なくどうぞ' with a smile. This is the 'magic key' to getting a real answer.
Check for 'Naku'
Always listen for the 'naku'. Without it, 'Enryo kudasai' means 'Please DON'T do that.'
The Response
When someone says this to you, the most polite response is 'じゃあ、お{言葉|ことば}に{甘|あま}えて...' (Well, taking you up on your word...).
Use with Te-form
Combine it with verbs like '{使|つか}って' (use) or '{飲|の}んで' (drink) to be more specific.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank to complete the host's invitation.
お{菓子|かし}がたくさんありますから、{遠慮|えんりょ}（ ）どうぞ。
The standard phrase is '{遠慮|えんりょ}なくどうぞ'.
Match the situation to the most appropriate use of the phrase.
Which situation is BEST for '{遠慮|えんりょ}なくどうぞ'?
This phrase is used to remove social hesitation when offering something.
Complete the business dialogue.
A: {質問|しつもん}してもよろしいでしょうか？ B: はい、（ ）。
In a business context, this is the standard way to welcome questions.
Choose the most formal version of the phrase.
Which of these is the most formal way to say 'Please help yourself'?
Adding 'go-' and using 'omeshiagari kudasai' (honorific 'eat') makes it very formal.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
5 exercicesお{菓子|かし}がたくさんありますから、{遠慮|えんりょ}（ ）どうぞ。
The standard phrase is '{遠慮|えんりょ}なくどうぞ'.
Which situation is BEST for '{遠慮|えんりょ}なくどうぞ'?
This phrase is used to remove social hesitation when offering something.
A: {質問|しつもん}してもよろしいでしょうか？ B: はい、（ ）。
In a business context, this is the standard way to welcome questions.
Which of these is the most formal way to say 'Please help yourself'?
Adding 'go-' and using 'omeshiagari kudasai' (honorific 'eat') makes it very formal.
🎉 Score : /5
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, if you are offering them something (like a seat or a snack) or inviting them to ask questions. However, if they are offering YOU something, don't use it back to them.
'Go-jiyuu ni' is for self-service (like a water cooler). '{遠慮|えんりょ}なくどうぞ' is a personal invitation from one person to another.
Absolutely. It's very common in business emails to say 'ご{不明|ふめい}な{点|てん}があれば、{遠慮|えんりょ}なくどうぞ' (If anything is unclear, feel free to ask).
No, 'enryo' is actually a virtue in many contexts. It shows you are a considerate person. This phrase just gives permission to set that virtue aside for a moment.
You can say '{遠慮|えんりょ}しないで！' or '{遠慮|えんりょ}はいらないよ！'
Social habits are strong! They might need one more 'Really, it's fine!' to feel truly comfortable.
Younger people might say 'ガンガンいこう' (Let's go at it hard) or '気にしないで' (Don't worry about it).
It would be very strange for a lender to say '{遠慮|えんりょ}なくどうぞ' unless they are incredibly wealthy and generous. Usually, it's for smaller favors.
It is the adverbial form of 'nai' (not/none), meaning 'without'.
Yes, especially by 'big brother/sister' characters or kind mentors to make the protagonist feel welcome.
Expressions liées
ご{自由|じゆう}にどうぞ
similarPlease help yourself (self-service).
お{気軽|きがる}に
similarFeel free to...
{遠慮|えんりょ}します
contrastI'll pass / I'll decline.
お{言葉|ことば}に{甘|あま}えて
builds onTaking you up on your offer.
Où l'utiliser
Hosting a party
Host: ピザが{届|とど}きましたよ！{遠慮|えんりょ}なくどうぞ。
Guest: わあ、おいしそう！ありがとうございます。いただきます。
Business Q&A
Presenter: {以上|いじょう}で{説明|せつめい}を{終|お}わります。{質問|しつもん}があれば{遠慮|えんりょ}なくどうぞ。
Attendee: はい、一つ{伺|うかが}いたいのですが...
Lending an item
A: あ、ペンを{忘|わす}れてしまいました。
B: これ、{使|つか}いますか？{遠慮|えんりょ}なくどうぞ。
Offering a seat
A: ここ、{空|あ}いていますか？
B: はい、どうぞ。{遠慮|えんりょ}なくお{座|すわ}りください。
In a clothing store
Staff: {試着|しちゃく}もできますので、{遠慮|えんりょ}なくどうぞ。
Customer: じゃあ、これを{着|き}てみてもいいですか？
Sharing a digital resource
User A: このテンプレート、すごくいいですね！
User B: ありがとうございます。リンクを{貼|は}っておくので、{遠慮|えんりょ}なくどうぞ。
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Think of 'Enryo' as 'Entry-No'. When you say 'Enryo-naku', you are saying 'No Entry-Barrier'—come on in and help yourself!
Association visuelle
Imagine a shy guest standing outside a circle. The host reaches out, breaks the circle's line, and pulls them in. That breaking of the line is 'Enryo-naku'.
Rhyme
Don't be shy, don't be blue, {遠慮|えんりょ}なくどうぞ to you!
Story
You are at a Japanese friend's house. They offer you the last piece of sushi. You want it, but you feel you should say no. Your friend smiles and says, '{遠慮|えんりょ}なくどうぞ!' The 'social wall' between you and the sushi disappears, and you enjoy the meal together.
In Other Languages
In English, 'Help yourself' or 'Don't stand on ceremony.' In Korean, 'Pyeonhage haseyo' (Please be comfortable). These all aim to reduce social friction.
Word Web
Défi
Next time you are with a Japanese speaker, offer them something (a snack, a seat, or a turn to speak) using this phrase. Watch their reaction—they will likely smile and feel more relaxed.
Review this phrase whenever you are studying 'Keigo' (honorifics), as it is the 'antidote' to overly stiff formal situations.
Prononciation
The 'n' is a nasal sound, and the 'ryo' is a single syllable with a tapped 'r'.
Short, crisp syllables.
The 'o' is a long vowel. Don't say 'do-zo', say 'doo-zo'.
Spectre de formalité
ご{遠慮|えんりょ}なくお{召|め}し{上|あ}がりください。 (Offering food)
{遠慮|えんりょ}なくどうぞ。 (Offering food)
{遠慮|えんりょ}しないで{食|た}べてね。 (Offering food)
ガンガンいっちゃって！ (Offering food)
Derived from the Chinese 'yuan-lü' ({遠慮|えんりょ}), meaning 'distant thoughts' or 'foresight.' It entered Japanese through Buddhist and Confucian texts.
Le savais-tu ?
In the Edo period, 'Enryo' was also a type of punishment where a samurai was confined to his home but allowed to move around at night!
Notes culturelles
The 'Three Times' Rule: In traditional Japanese etiquette, it was often expected to decline an offer twice and only accept on the third time. '{遠慮|えんりょ}なくどうぞ' is the host's way of signaling that the 'dance' can end early.
“A guest says 'No thank you' to tea, but the host says '{遠慮|えんりょ}なくどうぞ' and pours it anyway.”
In Japanese companies, juniors often wait for seniors to speak. A leader saying '{遠慮|えんりょ}なくどうぞ' is a vital signal that 'psychological safety' is present and people can speak their minds.
“A manager opening a brainstorming session with this phrase.”
When receiving a gift, Japanese people often say '{遠慮|えんりょ}なくいただきます' (I will receive this without restraint). This acknowledges that the gift is a favor and they are accepting the kindness.
“Receiving 'omiyage' (souvenirs) from a coworker.”
The 'Enryo-no-katamari' (The Restraint Lump) refers to the last piece of food on a shared plate that no one wants to take because they don't want to seem greedy. Saying '{遠慮|えんりょ}なくどうぞ' is the only way to get someone to eat it!
“The last piece of karaage on a plate at an Izakaya.”
Amorces de conversation
If you were hosting a party, how would you invite someone to eat the last piece of sushi?
How do you invite a coworker to ask you questions about a project?
You are offering your seat to an elderly person on the train. What do you say?
Erreurs courantes
{遠慮|えんりょ}なくしてください
{遠慮|えんりょ}なくどうぞ / {遠慮|えんりょ}なく～してください
L1 Interference
{遠慮|えんりょ}しないでどうぞ
{遠慮|えんりょ}なくどうぞ
L1 Interference
Using it to a high-ranking CEO as a junior employee.
ご{遠慮|えんりょ}なくお{申|もう}し{付|つ}けください (if serving them)
L1 Interference
{遠慮|えんりょ}なく{宿題|しゅくだい}をしてください
{宿題|しゅくだい}をしてください
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
Help yourself / Don't hesitate
Japanese focuses on removing 'restraint,' English focuses on 'helping' oneself.
No te cortes / Siéntete como en tu casa
Spanish uses the metaphor of 'cutting' or 'home,' Japanese uses 'restraint.'
N'hésitez pas / Faites comme chez vous
French is slightly more direct about the 'hesitation' itself.
Bedien dich ruhig / Nur zu
German is more pragmatic and less focused on the social 'face' of the guest.
تفضل بدون خجل (Tafaddal bidun khajal)
Both cultures emphasize the host's role in making the guest feel 'not shy.'
请别客气 (Qǐng bié kèqì)
Chinese focuses on the 'guest' status, Japanese on the 'restraint' action.
편하게 하세요 (Pyeonhage haseyo)
Korean emphasizes the 'comfort' state of the guest.
Fique à vontade / Não se acanhe
Portuguese is often more informal and warm in its delivery.
Spotted in the Real World
“「{遠慮|えんりょ}なくどうぞ。」”
The Master says this when serving a special dish to a regular who is going through a hard time.
“「{遠慮|えんりょ}なく{食|た}べなさい。」”
At the beginning of the movie, the father tells the family to eat the food at the empty stall.
“「{質問|しつもん}があれば、{遠慮|えんりょ}なくどうぞ。」”
Used during an office meeting, though often with a terrifying tone.
Facile à confondre
Learners think 'Douzo' is enough.
'Douzo' is just 'please/go ahead.' '{遠慮|えんりょ}なくどうぞ' specifically targets the other person's shyness.
It sounds almost the same but means the opposite!
'Go-enryo kudasai' means 'Please REFRAIN from doing this.' Look for the 'naku' (without) to tell them apart.
Questions fréquentes (10)
Yes, if you are offering them something (like a seat or a snack) or inviting them to ask questions. However, if they are offering YOU something, don't use it back to them.
usage contexts'Go-jiyuu ni' is for self-service (like a water cooler). '{遠慮|えんりょ}なくどうぞ' is a personal invitation from one person to another.
comparisonsAbsolutely. It's very common in business emails to say 'ご{不明|ふめい}な{点|てん}があれば、{遠慮|えんりょ}なくどうぞ' (If anything is unclear, feel free to ask).
practical tipsNo, 'enryo' is actually a virtue in many contexts. It shows you are a considerate person. This phrase just gives permission to set that virtue aside for a moment.
cultural usageYou can say '{遠慮|えんりょ}しないで！' or '{遠慮|えんりょ}はいらないよ！'
grammar mechanicsSocial habits are strong! They might need one more 'Really, it's fine!' to feel truly comfortable.
common mistakesYounger people might say 'ガンガンいこう' (Let's go at it hard) or '気にしないで' (Don't worry about it).
usage contextsIt would be very strange for a lender to say '{遠慮|えんりょ}なくどうぞ' unless they are incredibly wealthy and generous. Usually, it's for smaller favors.
usage contextsIt is the adverbial form of 'nai' (not/none), meaning 'without'.
grammar mechanicsYes, especially by 'big brother/sister' characters or kind mentors to make the protagonist feel welcome.
cultural usage
