B1 Expression Formal

お安い御用です

oyasui goyo desu

It's no trouble at all

Phrase in 30 Seconds

A polite and confident way to tell someone that a favor or task they've asked for is incredibly easy for you.

  • Means: 'It's no trouble at all' or 'A piece of cake.'
  • Used in: Responding to requests from friends, colleagues, or customers.
  • Don't confuse: With literal 'cheap shopping'—it's about the effort, not the price.
🤝 + ⚡ = 😊 (A request + quick action = a happy interaction)

Explanation at your level:

This phrase means 'No problem' or 'It's easy.' Use it when a friend asks for help. For example, if they say 'Can you help me?', you say 'O-yasui go-you desu!' It is a very kind and helpful thing to say. It uses the word 'yasui' (cheap/easy) and 'goyou' (task).
At this level, you can use 'O-yasui go-you desu' to respond to simple requests. It's more polite than just saying 'OK' or 'Ii desu yo.' It shows you are happy to help. Remember that 'yasui' here doesn't mean the price is low, but that the work is easy for you to do.
As an intermediate learner, you should use this phrase to manage social expectations. It's a 'set phrase' (idiom) that combines the honorific 'o' and 'go' with the adjective 'yasui.' It is perfect for workplace favors or helping neighbors. It demonstrates that you understand the nuance of making the requester feel less guilty about asking for help.
At the B2 level, you should recognize the register shifts. Using 'O-yasui go-you da' with friends versus 'O-yasui go-you desu' with colleagues. You should also understand that this phrase is a proactive acceptance of a task, implying you have the skill to complete it quickly. It's a tool for building rapport and showing professional confidence without sounding arrogant.
This expression functions as a pragmatic marker of social competence. It navigates the complex Japanese 'gift economy' of favors. By categorizing a request as an 'easy order,' the speaker skillfully minimizes the 'meiwaku' (nuisance) perceived by the requester. A C1 learner should be able to use this to deflect excessive gratitude and maintain a balanced social distance.
From a sociolinguistic perspective, 'O-yasui go-you desu' is an idiomatic fossilization of Edo-period merchant speech. Mastery involves understanding its historical weight and the subtle 'confidence-play' it involves. It requires a near-native grasp of 'Aisatsu' (social greetings) to ensure the tone isn't perceived as dismissive of the task's actual importance, but rather as an expression of extreme hospitality and capability.

Meaning

Said when something is easy to do or happy to help.

🌍

Cultural Background

The use of 'O' and 'Go' in this phrase is a remnant of 'Bushi-kotoba' (samurai speech) and merchant etiquette. It shows how even 'easy' tasks are treated with a level of formal respect in Japanese social history. In modern Japanese offices, using this phrase can help break the ice between a senior (Sempai) and a junior (Kohai). It makes the senior seem approachable. Ryokan (traditional inn) staff might use this to make guests feel that their special requests are no trouble at all, embodying the spirit of selfless service.

🎯

The 'Yo' Factor

Adding 'yo' (お安い御用ですよ) makes you sound much more friendly and reassuring.

⚠️

Don't be Sarcastic

If you say this with a sigh, it sounds like you're actually annoyed. Keep your tone bright!

Meaning

Said when something is easy to do or happy to help.

🎯

The 'Yo' Factor

Adding 'yo' (お安い御用ですよ) makes you sound much more friendly and reassuring.

⚠️

Don't be Sarcastic

If you say this with a sigh, it sounds like you're actually annoyed. Keep your tone bright!

Test Yourself

Complete the dialogue with the most natural form of the phrase.

A: {明日|あした}の{朝|あさ}、7{時|じ}に{起|お}こしてくれる？ B: うん、_________だよ！

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: お安い御用

Since the speaker uses 'un' (casual yes) and 'da yo', the casual 'O-yasui go-you' is the best fit.

Which situation is NOT appropriate for 'O-yasui go-you desu'?

Select the inappropriate context:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Accepting a request to perform heart surgery.

The phrase is for easy, low-stakes tasks. Surgery is high-stakes and serious.

Fill in the missing kanji/reading.

お{安|___}い{御用|___}です。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: やす / ごよう

The kanji are 安い (yasui) and 御用 (goyou).

🎉 Score: /3

Visual Learning Aids

When to say O-yasui Go-you

👫

Friends

  • • Borrowing a pen
  • • Giving a ride
  • • Checking a text
💼

Work

  • • Small edits
  • • Sharing a file
  • • Quick advice

Frequently Asked Questions

2 questions

Yes, if the task is small and you have a friendly relationship. If it's a very formal environment, stick to 'Shouchi itashimashita.'

Metaphorically, yes. It means it 'costs' you very little effort.

Related Phrases

🔄

{朝飯前|あさめしまえ}

synonym

Before breakfast; a piece of cake.

🔗

{楽勝|らくしょう}

similar

Easy win.

🔗

{手|て}の{子|こ}を{返|かえ}すよう

similar

Like turning over one's hand.

Where to Use It

📦

Helping a friend move

Friend: {明日|あした}、{引|ひ}っ{越|こ}し{手伝|てつだ}ってくれる？

You: もちろん！お{安|やす}い{御用|ごよう}だよ。

informal
📊

Workplace spreadsheet help

Colleague: このエクセルの{関数|かんすう}、{教|おし}えていただけますか？

You: ええ、お{安|やす}い{御用|ごよう}です。すぐ{直|なお}せますよ。

formal
📸

Taking a photo for a stranger

Tourist: すみません、{写真|しゃしん}を{撮|と}ってもらえますか？

You: はい、お{安|やす}い{御用|ごよう}です！はい、チーズ！

formal
🖊️

Borrowing a small item

Classmate: ペン、{貸|か}してくれる？

You: お{安|やす}い{御用|ごよう}！これ{使|つか}って。

informal
💻

Technical support

Client: サイトのロゴを{少|すこ}し{大|おお}きくできますか？

You: お{安|やす}い{御用|ごよう}です。5{分|ふん}で{終|お}わります。

formal
🏠

Errand for a neighbor

Neighbor: {留守|るす}の{間|あいだ}、{花|はな}に{水|みず}をあげてもらえますか？

You: ええ、お{安|やす}い{御用|ごよう}です。お{任|まか}せください。

formal

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'O-YASUI' as 'Oh, so EASY' and 'GO-YOU' as 'GO do it for YOU.'

Visual Association

Imagine a merchant in old Japan receiving a massive order but smiling and saying 'Easy!' because he has a secret machine to do the work.

Rhyme

O-yasui go-you, I'll do it for you!

Story

A traveler asks a monk to carry a heavy bag up a mountain. The monk, who is secretly a martial arts master, smiles and says 'O-yasui go-you desu!' as he lifts it with one finger. The traveler is amazed, but the monk just sees it as a simple task.

Word Web

安い (Easy/Cheap)御用 (Task/Order)簡単 (Simple)朝飯前 (Before breakfast)手伝う (To help)引き受ける (To take on)大丈夫 (Okay)任せて (Leave it to me)

Challenge

Next time a friend asks for a small favor (like passing a drink or checking a word), reply with 'O-yasui go-you da yo!'

In Other Languages

English high

Piece of cake / No problem

Japanese version is more service-oriented.

Spanish high

Pan comido

Spanish uses food as the metaphor; Japanese uses merchant orders.

French high

C'est du gâteau

French is more informal.

German moderate

Ein Kinderspiel

German emphasizes simplicity; Japanese emphasizes low effort for the helper.

Arabic partial

على راسي (Ala rasi)

Arabic is more about honor; Japanese is about ease.

Chinese high

小菜一碟 (Xiǎocài yī dié)

Chinese focuses on the 'size' of the task.

Korean high

식은 죽 먹기 (Sigeun juk meokgi)

Korean uses the 'temperature' of food as the ease metaphor.

Portuguese moderate

Mamão com açúcar

Portuguese is much more casual/slangy.

Easily Confused

お安い御用です vs {安物|やすもの}

Both start with 'yasu' (cheap).

Yasumono refers to cheap, low-quality goods. O-yasui go-you refers to easy tasks.

FAQ (2)

Yes, if the task is small and you have a friendly relationship. If it's a very formal environment, stick to 'Shouchi itashimashita.'

Metaphorically, yes. It means it 'costs' you very little effort.

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