It is a polite way to tell someone there is no need to rush.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Used to tell someone to relax and take their time.
- Commonly used when serving guests or ending a conversation.
- Shows hospitality and consideration for the listener's comfort.
Overview
- 1概要：ごゆっくりは、動詞「ゆっくり」に丁寧の接頭辞「ご」をつけた副詞的な表現です。相手の時間を尊重し、プレッシャーを与えないという日本的なおもてなしの精神が凝縮されています。2) 使用パターン：単独で「ごゆっくりどうぞ」や「ごゆっくりお過ごしください」のように動詞を伴うことが一般的です。命令形ではなく、あくまで相手の快適さを願う提案のニュアンスを含みます。3) 一般的な文脈：飲食店で料理を出された時、旅館でチェックインした時、あるいは友人が自宅から帰る際に「もっとゆっくりしていけばいいのに」という気持ちを込めて使われます。ビジネスの場では、打ち合わせを終える際に「本日はごゆっくりお話しできてよかったです」のように、時間をかけて対話できたことへの感謝を示す場合もあります。4) 類似語との比較：「ゆっくり」は単に速度が遅いことを指しますが、「ごゆっくり」は「相手に対する敬意」が含まれます。「くつろいで」という言葉も似ていますが、「ごゆっくり」の方がより時間的なゆとりや、その場に留まることへの歓迎の意が強く含まれています。
Examples
どうぞごゆっくりお過ごしください。
formalPlease take your time and relax.
ごゆっくりどうぞ。
everydayPlease take your time.
今日はごゆっくりできてよかったね。
informalIt was nice to be able to relax today.
ごゆっくりお話ししましょう。
formalLet's have a nice, unhurried talk.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
ごゆっくりどうぞ
Please take your time
ごゆっくりお休みください
Please get some rest
ごゆっくりお話ししましょう
Let's have a long, relaxed chat
Often Confused With
Yukkuri is a neutral adverb meaning 'slowly'. Go-yukkuri adds respect and is used specifically for human interactions.
Kutsuroide means 'to relax/feel at home'. It focuses on the state of being, whereas Go-yukkuri focuses on the duration and lack of rush.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
This phrase is highly register-dependent and carries a polite tone. It is almost exclusively used when addressing others, never oneself. Using it correctly demonstrates a high level of social awareness in Japan.
Common Mistakes
Beginners often use it as a command, which can sound odd. It should always be perceived as a suggestion or an invitation. Do not use it when you are the one under pressure to finish a task.
Tips
Add a verb for extra politeness
While 'Go-yukkuri' is fine, adding 'shite kudasai' or 'oshugoshi kudasai' makes the sentence complete and significantly more polite.
Don't use it to rush someone
Never use this sarcastically when you want someone to hurry up. It is strictly for expressing hospitality and patience.
The spirit of Omotenashi
This phrase reflects the Japanese value of Omotenashi, where the host prioritizes the guest's comfort above all else.
Word Origin
Derived from the adverb 'yukkuri' (slowly), with the honorific prefix 'go' added to elevate the status of the action for the listener. It evolved as part of the formal hospitality language (keigo).
Cultural Context
The phrase is a cornerstone of Japanese hospitality. It acknowledges the value of time and the importance of making a guest feel unburdened by social or time-related obligations.
Memory Tip
Think of 'Go' as a polite prefix and 'Yukkuri' as the slow, relaxing pace of a turtle. Together, they invite someone to move at a turtle's pace in your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsはい、使えます。ただし、より丁寧に言いたい場合は「ごゆっくりお過ごしください」や「ごゆっくりなさってください」のように動詞を補うとより自然で丁寧です。
「ありがとうございます」と感謝を伝えたり、「はい、ありがとうございます」と微笑むだけで十分です。相手の気遣いに対して素直に応じるのがマナーです。
「ゆっくり」は副詞として速度を表す客観的な言葉ですが、「ごゆっくり」は相手に対して「どうぞ～してください」という敬意と配慮が加わった表現です。
使えます。例えば、会食の終わりや、相手を待たせる際などに「ごゆっくりお待ちください」などの形で使用されます。
Test Yourself
料理店で店員が料理を運んできた時の一言：「どうぞ、___。」
店員が客に食事を楽しんでほしいと願う場面では「ごゆっくり（どうぞ）」が最も適切です。
友人が帰る時、もっといてほしいという気持ちを伝える表現は？
相手にその場に留まってほしいという好意を示す際に「ごゆっくり」を使います。
（お過ごしください / ごゆっくり / どうぞ）
「どうぞ」を文頭に置くのが最も自然な敬語表現です。
Score: /3
Summary
It is a polite way to tell someone there is no need to rush.
- Used to tell someone to relax and take their time.
- Commonly used when serving guests or ending a conversation.
- Shows hospitality and consideration for the listener's comfort.
Add a verb for extra politeness
While 'Go-yukkuri' is fine, adding 'shite kudasai' or 'oshugoshi kudasai' makes the sentence complete and significantly more polite.
Don't use it to rush someone
Never use this sarcastically when you want someone to hurry up. It is strictly for expressing hospitality and patience.
The spirit of Omotenashi
This phrase reflects the Japanese value of Omotenashi, where the host prioritizes the guest's comfort above all else.
Examples
4 of 4どうぞごゆっくりお過ごしください。
Please take your time and relax.
ごゆっくりどうぞ。
Please take your time.
今日はごゆっくりできてよかったね。
It was nice to be able to relax today.
ごゆっくりお話ししましょう。
Let's have a nice, unhurried talk.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Phrases
Related Vocabulary
More home words
上に
B1Above; on top of.
不在
B1Absent; not present. Not in a particular place.
手頃な
B1Affordable, reasonable (price).
お先に
B1Excuse me for going first; said when leaving before others.
仲介
B1Mediation, agency (e.g., real estate).
あっ
B1Ah!; an exclamation of sudden realization or surprise.
エアコン
A2air conditioner
冷暖房
B1Air conditioning and heating system.
風通しの良い
B1Well-ventilated; airy.
～可
A2Suffix meaning "permitted" or "allowed".
