ごゆっくり
goyukkuri
The English phrase "take your time" is expressed in Japanese as ごゆっくり (goyukkuri).
ごゆっくり is a polite expression used to tell someone there is no need to hurry. It is commonly used by service staff in restaurants or hotels when telling customers to enjoy their meal or stay. Adding どうぞ to the end of the phrase, as in ごゆっくりどうぞ, makes it a complete, polite invitation or suggestion to take one's time.
What does it mean word for word?
The core of the phrase is the adverb ゆっくり, which means slowly or at leisure.
Which one should you use?
While ごゆっくり is a polite way to express the idea, you can use お時間をかけてください to mean "Please take your time" in a more formal way. For an informal context, 慌てないでね means "Don't rush" or "Take it easy, okay?" Additionally, 気長にお待ちください is a specific expression used to say "Please wait patiently."
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ごゆっくり is a polite form. For a more formal situation, use お時間をかけてください. In informal situations, you can use ゆっくりしてね to tell a friend or someone close to you to take their time or relax or use 慌てないでね to mean "Don't rush".
How do you pronounce it?
goyukkuri
Did you know?
- The word ゆっくり is an onomatopoeic expression that mimics the sensation of a steady, rhythmic, and relaxed movement.
- While ゆっくり means a pleasant slow pace, the word のろのろ describes a slow pace that is annoying or sluggish.
- The honorific prefix ご in ごゆっくり treats the listener's leisure time as something precious to show respect.
Examples in context
- ごゆっくりどうぞ。Take your time.Tatoeba #10914911 by small_snow, translation #30121 by CK
- ごゆっくりご覧くださいませ。Please take your time to look around.Tatoeba #8482162 by small_snow, translation #10152135 by tsp_2
- ゆっくりしていってください。大丈夫ですよ。Take your time. It will be fine.
- 慌てないでくださいね。ゆっくりお願いします。Please don't rush. Take your time, please.
- ごゆっくりお過ごしください。Goyukkuri osugoshi kudasai.Please take your time and enjoy yourself.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A hotel staff member is checking in a guest.
- 大翔 Hirotoチェックインの手続きは完了しました。Chekkuin no tetsuzuki wa kanryou shimashita.The check-in procedure is complete.
- 結衣 Yuiありがとうございます。Arigatou gozaimasu.Thank you.
- 大翔 Hirotoお部屋でごゆっくりお休みください。Oheya de goyukkuri oyasumi kudasai.Please take your time and rest in your room.
- 結衣 Yuiはい、失礼します。Hai, shitsurei shimasu.Yes, excuse me.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
