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How to Say ‘Please have a seat.’ in Japanese

どうぞ、お座りください。

douzo o suwari kudasai

[DOH-zoh oh soo-WAH-ree kudasai]

🇯🇵 In Japan: In Japan it's polite to wait to sit until you're invited. Hearing this is your cue.

Phrase Breakdown

どうぞ、

douzo

please / go ahead

どうぞ (dōzo) offers something politely. Lengthen the 'o': 'dō-zo'.

Example

どうぞ、入ってください。

Please come in.

Words in this phrase

どうぞ

douzo

[DOH-zoh]

here you are; please

Polite word when offering or handing something.

Example

どうぞ、入ってください。

Please come in.

お座りください。

o suwari kudasai

please have a seat

A polite invitation to sit, often used in interviews and meetings.

Example

皆さん、お座りください。

Everyone, please be seated.

Words in this phrase

お

[oh]

honorific prefix used in polite expressions

The polite prefix お makes the following word sound more courteous.

Example

お願いできますか。

Could you please do that?

座り

suwari

[soo-WAH-ree]

sit (stem)

Stem of 座る, to sit; used with お...ください for a polite request.

Example

椅子に座りました。

I sat on the chair.

ください

kudasai

[kudasai]

please

A polite request word used after the て-form of a verb.

Example

チケットを見せてください。

Please show me the ticket.

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