Phrase in 30 Seconds
A polite way to tell someone to stop overworking or pushing themselves too hard physically or mentally.
- Means: Please don't overdo it or attempt the impossible.
- Used in: Workplaces, hospitals, or when a friend looks exhausted.
- Don't confuse: It's not 'don't try'; it's 'don't over-strain'.
Explication à ton niveau :
Signification
Advising someone not to push themselves too hard or strain themselves.
Contexte culturel
The phrase is a key part of 'Omoiyari' (empathy). In a culture where 'Ganbare' (do your best) is the default, 'Muri shinaide' is the necessary relief valve. Superiors use this to show they are 'White' (ethical) companies. It's a way to build rapport with subordinates by showing concern for their health. Hashtags like #無理しないで are used to support idols or creators who are going through a hiatus or a busy period. Doctors use this as a standard instruction for post-surgery or chronic illness management, emphasizing that recovery isn't about effort, but time.
Add 'ne' for warmth
Adding 'ne' at the end ({無理|むり}しないでくださいね) makes it sound much softer and more like genuine advice rather than a command.
Not for laziness
Never use this if you think someone is being lazy. It will sound incredibly sarcastic and rude.
Add 'ne' for warmth
Adding 'ne' at the end ({無理|むり}しないでくださいね) makes it sound much softer and more like genuine advice rather than a command.
Not for laziness
Never use this if you think someone is being lazy. It will sound incredibly sarcastic and rude.
The 'Go-muri' trick
In business emails, use 'ご{無理|むり}のない{範囲|はんい}で' when asking for a quick turnaround. It shows you know you're being demanding.
Teste-toi
Complete the sentence to tell your tired colleague to take it easy.
{田中|たなか}さん、{顔色|かおいろ}が{悪|わる}いですよ。あまり___しないでください。
'Muri' is the correct noun to use with 'shinaide' to mean 'don't overdo it.'
In which situation is '{無理|むり}しないでください' MOST appropriate?
Choose the best scenario:
The phrase is used to express concern for someone who is overworking or straining themselves.
Choose the most natural response.
A: {風邪|かぜ}を{引|ひ}いてしまったので、{今日|きょう}のパーティーは{欠席|けっせき}します。 B: そうですか。___。
When someone is sick and canceling plans, 'Muri shinaide' plus a wish for rest is the most empathetic response.
🎉 Score : /3
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercices{田中|たなか}さん、{顔色|かおいろ}が{悪|わる}いですよ。あまり___しないでください。
'Muri' is the correct noun to use with 'shinaide' to mean 'don't overdo it.'
Choose the best scenario:
The phrase is used to express concern for someone who is overworking or straining themselves.
A: {風邪|かぜ}を{引|ひ}いてしまったので、{今日|きょう}のパーティーは{欠席|けっせき}します。 B: そうですか。___。
When someone is sick and canceling plans, 'Muri shinaide' plus a wish for rest is the most empathetic response.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
4 questionsYes, but it's better to use '{無理|むり}をなさらないでください' or add '{体|からだ}に{気|き}をつけてください' to sound more respectful.
'Take care' is general. 'Muri shinaide' specifically targets the effort or strain the person is currently undergoing.
Simply '{無理|むり}しないで' or '{無理|むり}しないでね'.
Usually, you'd say '{無理|むり}しないようにします' (I'll try not to overdo it) rather than using the 'kudasai' form on yourself.
Expressions liées
お{大事|だいじ}に
similarTake care (usually for illness)
{頑張|がんば}って
contrastDo your best
{休|やす}んでください
builds onPlease rest
{無理|むり}は{禁物|きんもつ}
specialized formOverdoing it is forbidden
Où l'utiliser
Colleague working late
You: まだ{仕事|しごと}ですか？あまり{無理|むり}しないでくださいね。
Colleague: ありがとうございます。あと{少|すこ}しで{終|お}わります。
Friend has a cold
You: {大丈夫|だいじょうぶ}？{今日|きょう}は{無理|むり}しないでゆっくり{寝|ね}てね。
Friend: うん、ありがとう。そうするよ。
Someone lifting heavy boxes
You: {重|おも}そうですね。{無理|むり}しないでください、{手伝|てつだ}いますよ。
Person: すみません、お{願|ねが}いします。
Social Media (Twitter/X)
User A: {最近|さいきん}{全然|ぜんぜん}{眠|ねむ}れてない…やることもいっぱい。
You (Reply): {無理|むり}しないでくださいね！お{大事|だいじ}に。
Asking a favor (Business)
You: {無理|むり}のない{範囲|はんい}で、ご{検討|けんとう}いただければ{幸|さいわ}いです。
Client: {承知|しょうち}いたしました。{確認|かくにん}してみます。
At a gym/sports club
Coach: {痛|いた}みがあったら、{無理|むり}しないでください。
Student: はい、わかりました。
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Think of a 'Moo-ry' (worrying cow). Don't be a 'Moo-ry' cow, don't overdo it!
Association visuelle
Imagine a person trying to lift a giant boulder labeled 'IMPOSSIBLE' (無理). You walk up and hand them a cup of tea, saying 'Muri shinaide.'
Rhyme
Muri shinaide, rest is what you need-e.
Story
A salaryman is working at 2 AM. A small forest spirit appears on his desk, hands him a pillow, and whispers 'Muri shinaide kudasai.' The salaryman realizes the work can wait and goes home to sleep.
In Other Languages
In English, 'Take it easy' or 'Don't push yourself.' In Chinese, '别太累了' (Don't be too tired). In Korean, '무리하지 마세요' (Don't overdo it).
Word Web
Défi
Next time you see a Japanese speaker working hard or looking tired, send them a message or say '{無理|むり}しないでくださいね'.
Review this phrase whenever you feel stressed yourself. It's a reminder for you too!
Prononciation
The 'u' is unrounded, and the 'r' is a flap like the Spanish 'r'.
The 'sh' is like 'she', 'i' is short.
Spectre de formalité
{無理|むり}をなさらないでください。 (General advice)
{無理|むり}しないでください。 (General advice)
{無理|むり}しないでね。 (General advice)
{無理|むり}すんなよ。 (General advice)
Derived from the Buddhist-influenced concept of 'Ri' (reason/logic). 'Mu-ri' meant something that defied the natural laws of the universe.
Le savais-tu ?
The word 'Muri' is so versatile it can be a noun, an adjective, or even an exclamation meaning 'No way!'
Notes culturelles
The phrase is a key part of 'Omoiyari' (empathy). In a culture where 'Ganbare' (do your best) is the default, 'Muri shinaide' is the necessary relief valve.
“Colleagues saying it to each other during 'Service Overtime'.”
Superiors use this to show they are 'White' (ethical) companies. It's a way to build rapport with subordinates by showing concern for their health.
“A manager telling a team after a big project: 'Everyone, muri shinaide today, go home early.'”
Hashtags like #無理しないで are used to support idols or creators who are going through a hiatus or a busy period.
“Fans tweeting to a singer who lost their voice.”
Doctors use this as a standard instruction for post-surgery or chronic illness management, emphasizing that recovery isn't about effort, but time.
“A doctor's parting words: 'Muri wa kinmotsu desu yo' (Overdoing it is forbidden).”
Amorces de conversation
{最近|さいきん}、{仕事|しごと}はどうですか？{忙|いそが}しいですか？
{日本|にほん}の{働|はたら}きすぎについてどう{思|おも}いますか？
Erreurs courantes
{無理|むり}をしないでください
{無理|むり}しないでください
L1 Interference
{無理|むり}しないでください (to a lazy person)
{頑張|がんば}ってください
L1 Interference
{無理|むり}しないでください (to an athlete during a race)
{頑張|がんば}れ！
L1 Interference
{無理|むり}しないでください (as a literal translation of 'It's impossible')
それは{無理|むり}です
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
Take it easy / Don't push yourself
Japanese version is more focused on the act of over-exertion.
No te sobrepases / No te esfuerces demasiado
Spanish is more descriptive, Japanese is more of a ritualized social script.
Ne te surmène pas
French is more specific to mental/work fatigue.
Übernimm dich nicht
German sounds slightly more like a warning, Japanese sounds more like empathy.
لا ترهق نفسك (La turhiq nafsak)
Arabic often follows this with a religious blessing (e.g., 'God give you health').
不要勉强 (Bùyào miǎnqiǎng)
Chinese can also mean 'don't force someone else to do something'.
무리하지 마세요 (Murihaji maseyo)
Virtually no difference in usage or nuance.
Não se sobrecarregue
Portuguese focuses on the 'load' (carga), Japanese on the 'logic/possibility' (ri).
Spotted in the Real World
“{無理|むり}しないで、たまには{休|やす}みなよ。”
The Master says this to a regular customer who is exhausted from working multiple jobs.
“{無理|むり}しないでね、{三葉|みつは}。”
Tessie says this to Mitsuha when she's taking on a lot of responsibility for the town festival.
Facile à confondre
Both mean 'don't hold back,' but in different ways.
Use 'Enryo shinaide' for 'Don't be shy/Help yourself to food.' Use 'Muri shinaide' for 'Don't overwork.'
Both involve 'not doing' something.
'Kamawanaide' means 'Don't mind me/Leave me alone.' It can sound cold. 'Muri shinaide' is always warm.
Questions fréquentes (4)
Yes, but it's better to use '{無理|むり}をなさらないでください' or add '{体|からだ}に{気|き}をつけてください' to sound more respectful.
usage contexts'Take care' is general. 'Muri shinaide' specifically targets the effort or strain the person is currently undergoing.
comparisonsSimply '{無理|むり}しないで' or '{無理|むり}しないでね'.
grammar mechanicsUsually, you'd say '{無理|むり}しないようにします' (I'll try not to overdo it) rather than using the 'kudasai' form on yourself.
grammar mechanics
