Courtesy and forgiveness
Core words, Stage 3chunk 9 of 76Verbs: dealing with people
Covers everyday courtesies: forgiving, sorry-to-keep-you-waiting, don't be shy, giving way, it's fine.
- yurusuforgive; allow, permit
- mataserukeep someone waiting
- enryo suruhold back (out of politeness); politely decline
- yuzurugive up (a seat, a turn); hand over
- kamawanaidon't mind; it's fine
Mix-ups Enryo shinaide invites someone in, but enryo shimasu politely says no.
yurusu
polite yurushimasu
forgive; allow, permit
'Yurushite' (forgive me) and 'Zettai yurusanai' (I'll never forgive you) are the everyday uses.
The 'allow' sense is mostly formal, as in 'jikan ga yuruseba' (if time allows).
mou okottenai yo, yurushite ageru.
I'm not mad anymore. I forgive you.
もう怒ってないよ、許してあげる。
mou okotte imasen. yurushimasu yo.
I'm not angry anymore. I forgive you.
もう怒っていません。許しますよ。
Written 許す · ゆるす · 許しますRank #290 in 3,030 TV dramas
mataseru
polite matasemasu
keep someone waiting
Mostly in apologies on arrival: 'Omatase!' or 'Matasete gomen'.
The causative of matsu (wait). Staff say 'Omatase shimashita' when they bring your order.
gomen ne, nagai koto matasechatte.
Sorry for keeping you waiting so long.
ごめんね、長いこと待たせちゃって。
nagai koto omatase shite, sumimasen deshita.
I'm sorry for keeping you waiting so long.
長いことお待たせして、すみませんでした。
Written 待たせる · またせる · 待たせますRank #851 in 3,030 TV dramas
enryo suru
polite enryo shimasu
hold back (out of politeness); politely decline
'Enryo shinaide' means 'Don't be shy, help yourself'; 'Enryo shimasu' politely turns something down.
'Goenryo kudasai' on signs means 'please refrain', as with smoking or photos.
enryo shinaide, takusan tabete ne.
Don't be shy, eat as much as you like.
遠慮しないで、たくさん食べてね。
enryo shinaide, takusan tabete kudasai ne.
Don't be shy, please eat as much as you like.
遠慮しないで、たくさん食べてくださいね。
Written 遠慮する · えんりょする · 遠慮しますRank #1349 in 3,030 TV dramas
yuzuru
polite yuzurimasu
give up (a seat, a turn); hand over
The classic use is giving up your seat on a train: 'seki o yuzuru'.
Also letting someone go first, or passing something on to them.
obaachan ni seki o yuzutta yo.
I gave my seat to an old lady.
おばあちゃんに席を譲ったよ。
obaasan ni seki o yuzurimashita.
I gave my seat to an old lady.
おばあさんに席を譲りました。
Written 譲る · ゆずる · 譲りますRank #1830 in 3,030 TV dramas
kamawanai
polite kamaimasen
don't mind; it's fine
Often after -te mo: 'Tsukatte mo kamawanai yo' (You're welcome to use it).
In casual talk, 'ii yo' is more common; kamawanai sounds a little firmer.
ashita demo kamawanai yo.
Tomorrow's fine with me too.
明日でも構わないよ。
ashita demo kamaimasen yo.
Tomorrow is fine too.
明日でも構いませんよ。
Written 構わない · かまわない · 構いませんRank #3272 in 3,030 TV dramas