A1 Expression 正式

ゆっくりどうぞ

yukkuri douzo

Please take your time

Phrase in 30 Seconds

A polite way to tell someone to take their time and not feel pressured.

  • Means: 'Please take your time' or 'Please go ahead slowly.'
  • Used in: Restaurants, shops, or when helping someone with a task.
  • Don't confuse: With 'Yukkuri shite,' which is more about relaxing at home.
🐢 + 🙏 = 😌 (Slow pace + Polite request = Comfortable atmosphere)

Explanation at your level:

This is a very simple and kind phrase. 'Yukkuri' means slowly. 'Douzo' means please. You use it to tell someone 'Don't rush.' It is very useful in shops or with friends. It makes people feel happy and relaxed when they are with you.
At this level, you can use 'Yukkuri douzo' to show you are polite. It is an adverbial phrase that doesn't need a verb. You can use it when someone is eating, walking, or working. Adding 'Go-' at the beginning makes it sound more professional, like a waiter in a restaurant.
This expression functions as a social softener. It is used to alleviate the 'guilt' someone might feel for taking up your time. By saying 'Yukkuri douzo,' you are proactively managing the social atmosphere. It’s particularly effective in emails when you don't want to sound like you are demanding a quick reply.
The phrase exemplifies the Japanese preference for ellipsis and indirectness. Rather than a direct command, it offers a space for the listener to act. It reflects the cultural priority of 'Wa' (harmony). Understanding the nuance between this and 'Yukkuri shite kudasai' shows a developing grasp of Japanese pragmatics and register.
From a sociolinguistic perspective, 'Yukkuri douzo' is a phatic expression that reinforces the bond between speaker and listener. It serves as a 'negative politeness strategy,' minimizing the imposition on the listener's freedom of action. Mastery involves knowing the precise timing to deploy this to prevent social friction in hierarchical or service-oriented environments.
This phrase represents the pinnacle of 'Omotenashi' linguistics. It operates on a level of cognitive empathy, where the speaker anticipates the listener's potential anxiety regarding time and preemptively dissolves it. The use of the 'douzo' pro-verb demonstrates the high-context nature of Japanese, where the shared environment provides the necessary semantic content that a verb would otherwise provide.

意思

An encouraging phrase telling someone not to rush.

🌍

文化背景

The phrase is a key part of 'Omotenashi' (Japanese hospitality). It's about creating a 'safe space' where the guest feels no pressure. In Japanese business, time is money, but politeness is more important. Using this phrase shows you are a 'big' person who isn't easily stressed. On platforms like Twitter or LINE, people use this phrase to show they are 'chill' and not demanding immediate attention. Parents use it to teach children patience and to enjoy their food rather than gulping it down.

🎯

The 'Go' Rule

Always use 'Go-yukkuri' in a restaurant. It makes you sound like a sophisticated speaker who understands Japanese etiquette.

⚠️

Don't over-use with superiors

If your boss is working hard, 'Yukkuri' might sound like you think they are slow. Use 'O-tsukaresama' instead.

意思

An encouraging phrase telling someone not to rush.

🎯

The 'Go' Rule

Always use 'Go-yukkuri' in a restaurant. It makes you sound like a sophisticated speaker who understands Japanese etiquette.

⚠️

Don't over-use with superiors

If your boss is working hard, 'Yukkuri' might sound like you think they are slow. Use 'O-tsukaresama' instead.

💬

The Smile Factor

This phrase is 50% words and 50% facial expression. A kind smile makes the 'yukkuri' feel genuine.

自我测试

Match the situation to the most natural use of 'ゆっくりどうぞ'.

A waiter brings a hot bowl of ramen to your table.

✓ 正确！ ✗ 不太对。 正确答案： a

In a restaurant, the staff uses this phrase to tell the customer to enjoy the meal.

Fill in the blank to make the phrase more formal.

（　）ゆっくりどうぞ。

✓ 正确！ ✗ 不太对。 正确答案： b

'Go-' is the honorific prefix used for 'yukkuri'.

Complete the text message exchange.

Friend: 'I'm sorry, I'm still at work. I'll be 10 minutes late!' You: 'No problem! ________.'

✓ 正确！ ✗ 不太对。 正确答案： b

'Yukkuri douzo' is the kindest way to respond to someone who is running late.

Which of these is NOT a good time to say 'ゆっくりどうぞ'?

Choose the inappropriate situation:

✓ 正确！ ✗ 不太对。 正确答案： b

You should never tell someone to go slowly in a life-threatening emergency!

🎉 得分： /4

视觉学习工具

常见问题

5 个问题

Yes, if they are doing something for you (like writing a note), it's a nice way to show you aren't impatient.

Absolutely. It's a very common way to end an email when you are asking for a favor but don't need it immediately.

'Yukkuri' is about being slow/relaxed. 'Sorosoro' means 'soon' or 'it's time to...'

Japanese often shortens phrases in high-frequency situations. 'Go-yukkuri' is a polite shorthand.

No, but it's often said *as* someone is leaving or starting an activity, so it can feel like a parting wish.

相关表达

🔗

ゆっくりしていってね

similar

Please stay and relax.

🔗

お{先|さき}にどうぞ

contrast

After you / Please go first.

🔗

お{大事|だいじ}に

similar

Take care.

🔗

ご{自由|じゆう}にどうぞ

builds on

Please help yourself / Feel free.

在哪里用

🍜

At a Restaurant

Waiter: お{待|ま}たせいたしました。ごゆっくりどうぞ。

Customer: ありがとうございます。

formal
📱

Texting a Friend

Friend: ごめん、あと５{分|ふん}で{着|つ}く！

You: ゆっくりどうぞ〜。

informal
👵

Helping an Elderly Person

Elderly Person: すみません、お{先|さき}にどうぞ。

You: いいえ、ゆっくりどうぞ。

neutral
👕

At a Clothing Store

Staff: ご{試着|しちゃく}ですか？こちらへどうぞ。ゆっくりどうぞ。

Customer: はい、ありがとうございます。

formal
🏫

During a Language Lesson

Student: ええと... {単語|たんご}を{忘|わす}れました...

Teacher: 大丈夫ですよ。ゆっくりどうぞ。

neutral
🏨

At a Hotel Check-in

Receptionist: お{部屋|へや}の{鍵|かぎ}でございます。ごゆっくりどうぞ。

Guest: お{世話|せわ}になります。

formal

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Yukkuri' as a 'Yuki' (Snow) falling slowly. 'Douzo' is the 'Door' you open for someone.

Visual Association

Imagine a friendly turtle wearing a kimono, holding a 'Welcome' sign and pointing towards a comfortable chair.

Rhyme

Yukkuri douzo, don't you go-zo! (A silly rhyme to remember the 'go' sound in douzo).

Story

You are at a busy ramen shop. You feel bad for taking a long time to finish your hot soup. The chef looks at you, smiles, and says 'Yukkuri douzo.' Suddenly, the stress melts away, and the soup tastes better.

Word Web

ゆっくり (Slowly)どうぞ (Please/Go ahead)いそぐ (To hurry)やすむ (To rest)おもてなし (Hospitality)じかん (Time)ペース (Pace)

挑战

Next time you are at a cafe or restaurant, wait for the server to bring something and imagine them saying 'Go-yukkuri douzo.' Then, try saying it to a friend who is looking for something in their bag.

In Other Languages

Spanish high

Tómate tu tiempo

Spanish is more likely to be used between friends than by a waiter.

French high

Prenez votre temps

French might use 'Bon appétit' specifically for food, whereas 'Yukkuri' is more general.

German moderate

Lass dir Zeit

German is less likely to be used as a standard greeting in a shop.

Arabic high

على مهلك (Ala mahlak)

Arabic usage is often more emphatic and can be used to calm someone down.

Chinese high

慢慢来 (Mànmàn lái)

Chinese 'Mànmàn lái' is slightly more informal than 'Go-yukkuri douzo'.

Korean high

천천히 하세요 (Cheoncheonhi haseyo)

Korean requires a verb (haseyo - please do), whereas Japanese can drop it.

Portuguese moderate

Fique à vontade

Portuguese focuses on being 'at ease' rather than 'moving slowly.'

English high

Take your time

English lacks the specific 'service-industry' flavor of the Japanese version.

Easily Confused

ゆっくりどうぞ 对比 そろそろどうぞ

Both use 'douzo' but 'sorosoro' means 'it's about time.'

Yukkuri = Slow/Relaxed. Sorosoro = Time to move/start.

ゆっくりどうぞ 对比 はやくどうぞ

Learners think it's the opposite of 'yukkuri douzo.'

'Hayaku douzo' can sound very rude and impatient in Japanese.

常见问题 (5)

Yes, if they are doing something for you (like writing a note), it's a nice way to show you aren't impatient.

Absolutely. It's a very common way to end an email when you are asking for a favor but don't need it immediately.

'Yukkuri' is about being slow/relaxed. 'Sorosoro' means 'soon' or 'it's time to...'

Japanese often shortens phrases in high-frequency situations. 'Go-yukkuri' is a polite shorthand.

No, but it's often said *as* someone is leaving or starting an activity, so it can feel like a parting wish.

有帮助吗？

评论 (0)

登录后评论
还没有评论。成为第一个分享想法的人！