| Visiting Someone's Place | |
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When Giving a Gift
| Tsumaranai mono desu ga ... つまらないものですが… |
Here is something for you. |
| Kore
douzo. これどうぞ｡ |
This is for you. |
The Japanese customary bring a gift when visiting someone's home. The expression "Tsumaranai mono desu ga ..." is very Japanese. It literally means, "This is an trifling thing, but please accept it." It might sound strange to you. Why anyone brings such a thing as a gift? This is a humble expression. The humble form (kenjougo) is used when a speaker wants to lower his/her position. Therefore, this expression is often used to your superior, in spite of the true value of the gift. When giving a gift to your close friend or other informal occasions, "Kore douzo" will do it.
When Your Host Begins to Prepare Drinks or Food for You
| Douzo
okamainaku. どうぞお構いなく｡ |
Please don't go to any trouble. |
When Drinking or Eating
| Host | Douzo meshiagatte
kudasai. どうぞ召し上がってください｡ |
Please help yourself. |
| Guest | Itadakimasu. いただきます｡ |
(Before Eating) |
| Gochisousama
deshita. ごちそうさまでした｡ |
(After Eating) |
"Meshiagaru" is the honorific form of the verb "taberu (to eat)." "Itadaku" is a humble form of the verb "morau (to receive)." However, "Itadakimasu" is a fixed expression used before eating or drinking. After eating "Gochisousama deshita" is used to express appreciation for the food. "Gochisou" literally means, "a feast." There is no religious significance of these phrases.
When Thinking about Leaving
| Sorosoro shitsurei
shimasu. そろそろ失礼します｡ |
It is about time I should be leaving. |
"Sorosoro" is a useful phrase for leaving. In informal situations, you could say "Sorosoro kaerimasu (It's about time for me to go home)," "Sorosoro kaerou ka (Shall we go home soon?)" or just "Ja sorosoro ... (Well, it's about time ...)" etc.
When Leaving Someone's Home
| Ojama
shimashita. お邪魔しました｡ |
Excuse me. |
"Ojama shimashita" literally means, "I got in the way." It is often used when leaving someone's home.
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