Entry
ごゆっくり
goyukkuri
A polite form of 'yukkuri', used to invite others to take their time or relax without feeling rushed.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This is an honorific form of the adverb 'yukkuri', created by adding the polite prefix 'go-'. It is frequently used in hospitality and customer service to tell guests, customers, or superiors that they do not need to rush and are welcome to relax.
- Inviting someone to do something at their own pace
- Telling a guest or customer to relax
Sense Map
Recommending not to rush
Inviting someone to take as much time as they need when doing something like eating or browsing.
ごゆっくりご覧ください。
Inviting someone to relax
Encouraging a guest to make themselves comfortable and unwind.
ごゆっくりおくつろぎください。
Usage Note
How to Use
ごゆっくりどうぞ
A standalone set phrase meaning 'Please take your time' or 'Please relax'.
ごゆっくり + polite request (お〜ください)
Used with polite structures like 'osugoshi kudasai' (please spend time) to ask the listener to do something unhurriedly.
ごゆっくり + honorific verb
Combined with special respectful verbs like 'meshiagaru' (eat/drink) or 'goran ni naru' (look) in high-level customer service.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ごゆっくりどうぞ
please take your time
ごゆっくりおくつろぎください
please make yourself at home / please relax
ごゆっくりお過ごしください
please have a relaxing time
ごゆっくりご覧ください
please take your time looking around
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| At a restaurant or shop | neutral | A standard phrase used by staff to make customers feel welcome and unhurried. |
| Hosting guests at home | positive | Shows gracious hospitality, letting guests know they can let their guard down and relax. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ゆっくり ゆっくり / similar | When talking to friends, family, equals, or about your own actions. | Not polite enough to be used directly toward customers or honored guests by staff. | ゆっくり休む。 |
のんびり のんびり / nearby | When emphasizing a carefree, relaxed state of mind rather than simply taking time. | Focuses more on feeling relaxed rather than the speed or time taken, and is not inherently honorific. | のんびり過ごす。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using this word to talk about your own actions, like saying 'I will eat goyukkuri'.
The prefix 'go-' makes it an honorific word for someone else's actions. For yourself, simply use 'yukkuri'.
Saying this to close friends.
It sounds very stiff and distant. Use the base word 'yukkuri' in casual conversation.
Examples
Examples
どうぞ、ごゆっくりおくつろぎください。
どうぞ、ごゆっくり おくつろぎ ください。
Please make yourself at home and take your time.
LiteralShows hospitality when welcoming a guest.
お食事はごゆっくり召し上がってください。
おしょくじ は ごゆっくり めしあがって ください。
Please take your time enjoying your meal.
LiteralCommonly said by restaurant staff when serving food.
週末はごゆっくりお休みください。
しゅうまつ は ごゆっくり おやすみ ください。
Please take a good, unhurried rest over the weekend.
LiteralSaid to a colleague or client wishing them a relaxing weekend.
どうぞごゆっくりご覧ください。
どうぞ ごゆっくり ごらん ください。
Please take your time looking around.
LiteralOften said by store staff to a customer browsing products.
こちらでごゆっくりお過ごしください。
こちら で ごゆっくり おすごし ください。
Please have a relaxing time here.
LiteralA greeting inviting someone to use the facilities comfortably.
Similar Words
ゆっくり
yukkuri
ゆっくり describes taking one's time, moving without haste, or being in a state of comfortable relaxation. The base form without the polite prefix, used in daily conversation.
のんびり
nonbiri
A relaxed and peaceful state of being free from rush or mental pressure. Focuses on feeling relaxed and carefree, rather than time or speed.
じっくり
jikkuri
This word means to take one's time to do something thoroughly and carefully without rushing.
Questions
What is the difference between ゆっくり and ごゆっくり?
ごゆっくり (goyukkuri) is the highly polite version of ゆっくり (yukkuri). It is used only when inviting others to do something.
Can I use this word for my own actions?
No. Because of the honorific prefix 'go-', it is exclusively used to show respect to the listener's actions.
How do I reply when staff says 'goyukkuri douzo'?
You can reply with a smile, a small nod, or a simple 'arigatou gozaimasu'.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2827483
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
- Previous entry
- グーン (guun)
- Next entry
- ぱしぱし (pashipashi)