Phrase in 30 Seconds
A polite way to grant someone full autonomy over a choice or action without sounding indifferent.
- Means: 'As you like' or 'In whatever way you prefer.'
- Used in: Hospitality, casual suggestions, or giving permission to guests.
- Don't confuse: With {勝手|かって}に, which implies doing something selfishly or without care.
Explication à ton niveau :
Signification
Giving someone permission to do something according to their preference.
Contexte culturel
In meetings, using this phrase to a subordinate can be a sign of high trust, but using it to a superior is a major faux pas as it suggests you aren't providing the support they expect. In Kyoto, 'O-suki na you ni' can sometimes be used as a very polite way to tell someone they are being difficult or that the speaker has given up on them. Context is everything! Hosts use this phrase to remove the 'guilt' a guest might feel for having a specific preference. It creates a safe space for the guest to be honest. Butlers and maids in fiction frequently use the hyper-polite version 'O-ki ni mesu mama ni' to show absolute subservience to their masters.
Add 'Douzo'
Adding 'Douzo' at the end (お好きなようにどうぞ) makes it sound much warmer and more welcoming.
Watch the 'O'
Never forget the 'O' when talking to customers or people you don't know well. 'Suki na you ni' can sound too casual or even bossy.
Add 'Douzo'
Adding 'Douzo' at the end (お好きなようにどうぞ) makes it sound much warmer and more welcoming.
Watch the 'O'
Never forget the 'O' when talking to customers or people you don't know well. 'Suki na you ni' can sound too casual or even bossy.
The 'Indifference' Trap
If someone asks for your expert opinion, don't use this phrase. It makes you look like you're avoiding work.
Teste-toi
Which phrase is most appropriate for a waiter to say to a customer choosing a side dish?
お客様、サイドメニューは（ ）お選びいただけます。
The 'O' prefix is necessary for the polite service register.
Complete the casual dialogue between two friends.
A: このお菓子、全部食べていい？ B: うん、（ ）食べて。
Between friends, the 'O' is usually dropped, and 'Suki na you ni' is the natural choice.
Match the phrase to the situation.
1. お好きなようにどうぞ (A) 2. 好きなようにしろ！ (B) 3. ご自由にお取りください (C)
'O-suki na you ni' is for polite preference, 'Suki na you ni shiro' is a rude command, and 'Go-jiyuu ni' is for free items.
Fill in the missing particles.
お（ ）き（ ）ように。
The kanji is {好|す}き and it requires the 'na' particle to connect to 'you'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
When to use 'O-suki na you ni'
Service
- • Toppings
- • Sauces
- • Payment methods
Hospitality
- • Seating
- • Sugar/Milk
- • Arrival time
Creative
- • Colors
- • Layouts
- • Interpretations
Banque d exercices
5 exercicesお客様、サイドメニューは（ ）お選びいただけます。
The 'O' prefix is necessary for the polite service register.
A: このお菓子、全部食べていい？ B: うん、（ ）食べて。
Between friends, the 'O' is usually dropped, and 'Suki na you ni' is the natural choice.
1. お好きなようにどうぞ (A) 2. 好きなようにしろ！ (B) 3. ご自由にお取りください (C)
'O-suki na you ni' is for polite preference, 'Suki na you ni shiro' is a rude command, and 'Go-jiyuu ni' is for free items.
お（ ）き（ ）ように。
The kanji is {好|す}き and it requires the 'na' particle to connect to 'you'.
🎉 Score : /5
Questions fréquentes
5 questionsMostly, yes. However, 'As you wish' can sound very formal or romantic in English, while 'O-suki na you ni' is a very common, practical phrase for daily life and service.
Only if they are asking for your permission on a personal matter (like where they should sit). If they are asking for your professional opinion, avoid it.
'Go-jiyuu ni' is usually for things that are free or unrestricted (like 'free water'). 'O-suki na you ni' is for choosing between options based on taste.
It can! If you say it with a sigh or while walking away, it means 'Fine, do whatever you want.'
You can say 'お好きなように、お計らいください' (Please manage it as you see fit) in very formal business settings.
Expressions liées
ご{自由|じゆう}に
similarFreely / Help yourself
お{気|き}に{召|め}すままに
specialized formAs you wish (very formal)
{任|まか}せます
similarI'll leave it to you
{勝手|かって}に
contrastSelfishly / Without permission
Où l'utiliser
At a Restaurant
Customer: ソースはどれがいいですか？
Waiter: お{好|す}きなように{選|えら}んでください。
Hosting a Friend
Friend: テレビ、{付|つ}けてもいい？
Host: うん、{好|す}きなようにして。
At the Office
Junior: このグラフ、{青|あお}にしましょうか？
Senior: お{好|す}きなように{進|すす}めてください。
Art Class
Student: {背景|はいけい}は何色がいいですか？
Teacher: お{好|す}きなように{描|か}いてごらん。
Shopping
Customer: ラッピングはリボンがいいですか？
Clerk: はい、お{好|す}きなようにカスタマイズできますよ。
A Disagreement
Person A: やっぱり{僕|ぼく}は{行|い}かないよ。
Person B: …もう、お{好|す}きなように。
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Think of 'O-Suki' as 'Oh, Suki!' (I like it!). When you say 'O-suki na you ni', you're telling someone 'Do it the way YOU like it!'
Association visuelle
Imagine a waiter handing a customer a blank canvas and a tray of paints. The waiter bows and says 'O-suki na you ni,' inviting the customer to create their own masterpiece.
Rhyme
Choose your way, don't be shy, O-suki na you ni, give it a try!
Story
You are at a Japanese DIY ramen shop. The chef gives you the noodles but no broth. He points to a wall of 50 different soups and says 'O-suki na you ni.' You realize you have the power to create the ultimate bowl of ramen exactly how you like it.
In Other Languages
In English, it's 'As you like' or 'Suit yourself.' In French, 'Comme vous voulez.' All these phrases share the core concept of transferring the 'power of choice' to the listener.
Word Web
Défi
Next time you are with a Japanese speaker and they ask 'Which one should I take?' or 'How should I do this?', respond with 'O-suki na you niどうぞ!'
Review this phrase whenever you are learning about honorifics (Keigo) or giving permissions.
Prononciation
The 'u' in 'suki' is often devoiced (almost silent).
Spectre de formalité
お{好|す}きなように{進|すす}めてください。 (Giving permission for a task.)
お{好|す}きなようにどうぞ。 (Giving permission for a task.)
{好|す}きなようにしていいよ。 (Giving permission for a task.)
{好|す}きにしろよ。 (Giving permission for a task.)
The phrase combines the honorific 'O', the na-adjective 'Suki' (fondness/preference), and 'You ni' (in the manner of). 'Suki' originally referred to the aesthetic tastes of the nobility and tea masters.
Le savais-tu ?
The kanji for 'Suki' ({好|す}き) is made of 'woman' and 'child,' representing the most fundamental form of 'liking' or 'love.'
Notes culturelles
In meetings, using this phrase to a subordinate can be a sign of high trust, but using it to a superior is a major faux pas as it suggests you aren't providing the support they expect.
“部下に：『この件は、お好きなように進めてください。』”
In Kyoto, 'O-suki na you ni' can sometimes be used as a very polite way to tell someone they are being difficult or that the speaker has given up on them. Context is everything!
“『まあ、お好きなようにしはったら？』 (Well, why don't you just do as you like? - with a hidden sting)”
Hosts use this phrase to remove the 'guilt' a guest might feel for having a specific preference. It creates a safe space for the guest to be honest.
“『お飲み物はお好きなように作ってくださいね。』”
Butlers and maids in fiction frequently use the hyper-polite version 'O-ki ni mesu mama ni' to show absolute subservience to their masters.
“『お気に召すままに、お嬢様。』”
Amorces de conversation
{日本|にほん}のレストランで、トッピングを{選|えら}ぶとき、店員さんに何と言われますか？
友達があなたの家に来ました。飲み物についてどう言いますか？
仕事で、デザインの細かい部分を任せたいとき、どう言いますか？
Erreurs courantes
{好|す}きなように{食|た}べろ
{好|す}きなように{食|た}べてください
L1 Interference
お{好|す}きなように{言|い}ってください (to a boss)
ご{意見|いけん}をお{聞|き}かせください
L1 Interference
{勝手|かって}なように
{好|す}きなように
L1 Interference
お{好|す}きにように
お{好|す}きなように
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
As you like / Suit yourself
The Japanese version is more frequently used in polite service contexts than 'suit yourself'.
Como quieras / A su gusto
Spanish uses the verb 'querer' (to want) while Japanese uses the adjective 'suki' (to like).
Comme vous voulez
French relies on the 'tu/vous' distinction for formality, similar to the 'O' prefix in Japanese.
Wie Sie möchten
German uses the subjunctive 'möchten' to add politeness, whereas Japanese uses honorific prefixes.
كما تشاء (Kama tasha')
The Arabic version often carries a more profound sense of 'granting a wish' than the Japanese social deference.
随你 (Suí nǐ) / 随您的便 (Suí nín de biàn)
The Chinese 'Sui' (to follow) implies following the other person's lead more than their 'liking'.
마음대로 하세요 (Ma-eum-dae-ro ha-se-yo)
Korean focuses on the 'mind/heart' (ma-eum) while Japanese focuses on the 'preference' (suki).
Como quiser
Portuguese doesn't have a specific 'honorific' version, relying instead on tone and context.
Spotted in the Real World
“「料理の味付けは、お好きなようにしてくださいね。」”
A member cooking for the group and letting others add their own spices.
“「あとはお好きなように。」”
Ryuk telling Light that he's done his part and Light can do whatever he wants now.
Facile à confondre
Both mean 'doing what one wants,' but 'Katte ni' is usually rude.
Use 'Suki na you ni' when you want to be kind; use 'Katte ni' when you are complaining.
Both can imply 'I don't care.'
'Dou demo ii' is blunt and often rude. 'O-suki na you ni' is polite and focuses on the other person's choice.
Questions fréquentes (5)
Mostly, yes. However, 'As you wish' can sound very formal or romantic in English, while 'O-suki na you ni' is a very common, practical phrase for daily life and service.
comparisonsOnly if they are asking for your permission on a personal matter (like where they should sit). If they are asking for your professional opinion, avoid it.
usage contexts'Go-jiyuu ni' is usually for things that are free or unrestricted (like 'free water'). 'O-suki na you ni' is for choosing between options based on taste.
basic understandingIt can! If you say it with a sigh or while walking away, it means 'Fine, do whatever you want.'
practical tipsYou can say 'お好きなように、お計らいください' (Please manage it as you see fit) in very formal business settings.
grammar mechanics
