どうぞ
douzo
Please/Here you go
Phrase in 30 Seconds
A polite way to offer things or give permission to others.
- Means: 'Please go ahead' or 'Here you go' when offering.
- Used in: Giving gifts, offering seats, or letting someone enter.
- Don't confuse: Do not use it to ask for things yourself.
Explanation at your level:
뜻
A versatile word used to offer something or invite someone to do something.
문화적 배경
The 'Douzo-Douzo' culture is a famous comedy trope by the group Dachu-no-Club. It involves everyone refusing a difficult task until one person reluctantly volunteers, at which point everyone else immediately points at them and shouts 'Douzo, douzo!', forcing them to do it. In Japanese business, when you offer your business card (meishi), you say 'Douzo' while holding the card with both hands. It is a sign of respect and formal introduction. At a dinner party, the host will often say 'Douzo' to signal that guests can start eating. It is considered polite to wait for this signal or for the most senior person to start. When offering a seat to an elderly person, saying 'Douzo' while standing up and gesturing to the seat is the standard way to be helpful without being overly intrusive.
The Hand Gesture
Always pair 'Douzo' with a gesture. Use an open palm facing upward, never point with one finger.
Don't use for 'You're welcome'
Even though 'Bitte' in German or 'Prego' in Italian work this way, 'Douzo' does not mean 'You're welcome'.
뜻
A versatile word used to offer something or invite someone to do something.
The Hand Gesture
Always pair 'Douzo' with a gesture. Use an open palm facing upward, never point with one finger.
Don't use for 'You're welcome'
Even though 'Bitte' in German or 'Prego' in Italian work this way, 'Douzo' does not mean 'You're welcome'.
The 'Douzo' Loop
If someone says 'Douzo' to you and you want to be extra polite, you can say 'Douzo, o-saki ni' to let them go first instead!
셀프 테스트
Match the situation with the correct use of どうぞ.
You are holding the elevator door for a colleague.
'O-saki ni' means 'after you' or 'go ahead first'.
Fill in the blank to politely offer tea to a guest.
お茶を（ ）。
When offering an object, 'douzo' is the correct choice.
Which of these is a WRONG use of どうぞ?
Select the incorrect sentence:
You cannot use 'douzo' to ask for water for yourself. You should say 'Mizu o kudasai'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: このペン、借りてもいいですか？ B: （ ）。
When granting permission to borrow something, 'douzo' is the natural response.
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시각 학습 자료
자주 묻는 질문
14 질문Yes, but it's better to use 'どうぞ、お{掛|か}けください' (Please sit) rather than just 'どうぞ'.
Only when you are giving or permitting. It is NOT 'Please' when you are asking for something.
It sounds more enthusiastic and welcoming, showing you really want the person to accept.
Yes, it is the most common thing to say when handing over a present.
Actually, 'Douzo' is already used in casual speech. You don't need to change it, though your tone might be more relaxed.
'Douzo' is the offer itself; 'Saa' is an encouraging 'Go on' that often precedes it.
Yes, usually in the phrase 'どうぞよろしくお{願|ねが}いします' at the end.
It is almost always written in Hiragana. Kanji exists ({何卒|なにとぞ}) but it's read differently and used in very formal writing.
Only if you are handing them something (like your credit card). Don't use it to order.
Say 'ありがとうございます' (Thank you) or 'すみません' (Excuse me/Thank you).
Yes, constantly! Listen for it when characters share food or enter a room.
Yes, 'どうぞ、お{先|さき}に' is the standard way to say 'After you'.
Not rude, but a small head nod or bow makes it feel much more natural and Japanese.
If someone asks for permission (e.g., 'Can I sit?'), 'Douzo' acts as a 'Yes, please do'.
관련 표현
おねがいします
contrastPlease (requesting)
ください
contrastPlease give me
どういたしまして
similarYou're welcome
よしなに
specialized formAs you see fit
さあ
builds onCome on / Well
어디서 쓸까?
At a Cafe
Waitress: お{待|ま}たせしました。コーヒーをどうぞ。
Customer: あ、ありがとうございます。
Entering an Office
Visitor: {失礼|しつれい}します。
Staff: あ、どうぞ。お{入|はい}りください。
Giving a Gift
Friend A: これ、{誕生日|たんじょうび}のプレゼント。どうぞ！
Friend B: わあ、うれしい！ありがとう。
Offering a Seat
Person A: あ、どうぞ。{座|すわ}ってください。
Person B: すみません、ありがとうございます。
At a Buffet
Friend A: このピザ、おいしそう。
Friend B: どうぞ、どうぞ！たくさん{食|た}べて。
Holding a Door
Person A: （ドアを{開|あ}けて）どうぞ、お{先|さき}に。
Person B: あ、すみません。
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Douzo' as a 'Door Zone'. When you say it, you are opening the 'door' for someone to enter, eat, or take something.
Visual Association
Imagine a friendly Japanese host standing by an open sliding door (fusuma), bowing slightly and gesturing inward with a flat palm. The word 'DOUZO' is written in soft, glowing letters above the door.
Rhyme
When you want to give or show, just say 'Douzo' and they'll know!
Story
You are at a dinner party in Tokyo. You see a delicious piece of sushi, but you wait. Your host notices and pushes the plate toward you with a smile, saying 'Douzo'. You realize the word is like a key that unlocks the permission to enjoy yourself.
Word Web
챌린지
Today, every time you would say 'Here you go' or 'After you' in English, whisper 'Douzo' to yourself to build the mental habit.
In Other Languages
Go ahead / Here you go
English 'Please' can be used to ask for things; 'Douzo' cannot.
Adelante / Aquí tiene
Spanish uses 'Por favor' for requests where Japanese would use 'Onegai shimasu'.
Je vous en prie / Tenez
French has specific verbs for handing things over that 'Douzo' replaces.
Bitte
German 'Bitte' is also used for 'You're welcome', which 'Douzo' is not.
تفضل (Tafaddal)
Very few; both are deeply rooted in the culture of hospitality.
请 (Qǐng)
Chinese 'Qing' is more commonly used at the start of request sentences.
어서 (Eoseo) / 여기요 (Yeogiyo)
Korean uses different words for 'welcome' and 'here you go'.
Fique à vontade / Aqui está
Portuguese requires more specific phrases depending on the action.
Easily Confused
Both start with 'Dou' and are used in polite social interactions.
Doumo is usually 'Thanks' or 'Hi', while Douzo is 'Here you go'.
Both start with 'Dou' and are related to politeness.
Douitashimashite is ONLY 'You're welcome'. Douzo is ONLY 'Please (take it)'.
자주 묻는 질문 (14)
Yes, but it's better to use 'どうぞ、お{掛|か}けください' (Please sit) rather than just 'どうぞ'.
Only when you are giving or permitting. It is NOT 'Please' when you are asking for something.
It sounds more enthusiastic and welcoming, showing you really want the person to accept.
Yes, it is the most common thing to say when handing over a present.
Actually, 'Douzo' is already used in casual speech. You don't need to change it, though your tone might be more relaxed.
'Douzo' is the offer itself; 'Saa' is an encouraging 'Go on' that often precedes it.
Yes, usually in the phrase 'どうぞよろしくお{願|ねが}いします' at the end.
It is almost always written in Hiragana. Kanji exists ({何卒|なにとぞ}) but it's read differently and used in very formal writing.
Only if you are handing them something (like your credit card). Don't use it to order.
Say 'ありがとうございます' (Thank you) or 'すみません' (Excuse me/Thank you).
Yes, constantly! Listen for it when characters share food or enter a room.
Yes, 'どうぞ、お{先|さき}に' is the standard way to say 'After you'.
Not rude, but a small head nod or bow makes it feel much more natural and Japanese.
If someone asks for permission (e.g., 'Can I sit?'), 'Douzo' acts as a 'Yes, please do'.
