Japanese word

お使い

Pronunciation

Romajiotsukai

Meaning

  • nounerrand

Example

母にお使いを頼まれました。haha ni o tsuka i o tano ma re ma shi ta

I was asked by my mother to run an errand.

Illustration for お使い (errand)

More examples

学校の帰りにお使いを済ませてから帰ります。gak kō no kae ri ni o tsuka i o su ma se te ka ra kae ri ma su

I will finish the errand on my way home from school.

Core concept

Centers on going somewhere to complete a task requested by another person.

Common phrases

  • お使いに行くo tsuka i ni i ku

    go on an errand

  • お使いを頼むo tsuka i o tano mu

    ask someone to run an errand

  • お使いを言いつけるo tsuka i o i i tsu ke ru

    send someone on an errand

  • お使いから帰るo tsuka i ka ra kae ru

    return from an errand

Similar words

使いtsukai: A trip made to deliver a message, obtain something, or complete a task for someone else.
用事yōji: A practical matter that requires attention, whether or not it involves travel.

Definition in Japanese

人に頼まれた用事を果たすために、出かけること。hito ni tano ma re ta yō ji o ha ta su ta me ni de ka ke ru ko to

Word origin

The word お使い (otsukai) combines the honorific prefix お (o) with 使い (tsukai), the noun form of 使う (tsukau, "to use or dispatch"), yielding a polite term for an errand.

Usage tips

  • The Japanese reality series はじめてのおつかい (Hajimete no otsukai) follows young children on small independent trips, giving お使い (otsukai) a familiar cultural reference for English learners.

Word lists with this word