Japanese word

どうぞ

Pronunciation

Romajidōzo

Meaning

  • adverbplease

Example

こちらをどうぞお使いください。ko chi ra o dō zo o tsuka i ku da sa i

Please use this.

Illustration for どうぞ (please)

More examples

ここにどうぞ座ってください。ko ko ni dō zo suwa tte ku da sa i

Please sit here.

必要なものがあれば、どうぞお取りください。hitsu yō na mo no ga a re ba dō zo o to ri ku da sa i

If there is anything you need, please take it.

Core concept

Marks an offer, permission, or encouragement as courteous and open to the other person's choice.

Common phrases

  • どうぞお使いくださいdō zo o tsuka i ku da sa i

    Please use it

  • こちらをどうぞko chi ra o dō zo

    here you are

  • どうぞお先にdō zo o saki ni

    please go ahead

  • どうぞご自由にdō zo go ji yū ni

    feel free

Similar words

ぜひzehi: An adverb used when recommending an action strongly or asking that it certainly be done.
どうかdōka: An adverb used in a serious request or a strong hope for a particular outcome.

Definition in Japanese

相手に物事を勧め、遠慮なく行うよう促すときに用いる語。ai te ni mono goto o susu me en ryo na ku okona u yō unaga su to ki ni mochi i ru go

Word origin

The adverb どうぞ (dōzo) is made from どう (dō, "how") and the emphatic particle ぞ (zo), whose combination developed a forceful sense of invitation or request.

Usage tips

  • A shop assistant may say どうぞ (dōzo) when inviting someone to take or use something, a use that English often expresses with go ahead rather than please.

Other meanings

  • go aheadadverb

Word lists with this word