How to Say ‘Please take care of yourself.’ in Japanese
お大事になさってください。
o daiji ni nasatsu te kudasai
[oh dai-JEE nee nah-SAHT te koo-dah-sigh]
🇯🇵 In Japan: This is what staff say to someone who is unwell, so you'll hear it as you leave; a simple ありがとうございます is the natural reply. It's not used for healthy people as a general goodbye.
Phrase Breakdown
お大事に
o daiji ni
take care (of yourself)
大事 (daiji) means 'important' or 'precious'. お大事に is said to sick people. Say o-dai-ji-ni.
どうぞお大事に。
Please take care.
Words in this phrase
お
o
[oh]
honorific/polite prefix
A polite prefix that makes the expression sound more respectful.
ていねいに言うために、おをつけます。
To say it politely, you add o.
大事
daiji
[dai-JEE]
important
A na-adjective meaning important or valuable.
大事な会議があります。
There is an important meeting.
に
ni
[nee]
(adverb-forming particle)
Makes 大事 into 'carefully'; お大事に means 'take care'.
体を大事にしてね。
Take care of your body.
なさってください。
nasatsu te kudasai
please do
なさって is the honorific te-form of する. Pause at the small っ: nasa-t-te kudasai.
ゆっくりなさってください。
Please take your time and relax.
Words in this phrase
なさっ
nasatsu
[nah-SAHT]
do (honorific, te-stem)
Form of なさる, respectful 'to do', before て.
先生はゆっくりなさってください。
Please relax, teacher.
て
te
[te]
and; please do
The て-form ending that connects a verb to the next part, often for requests.
イベントの後で少し話してください。
Please talk with me a little after the event.
ください
kudasai
[koo-dah-sigh]
please do
A polite request expression added after the te-form of a verb.
確認してください。
Please confirm it.
Get the Full Learning Experience
This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.
Pronunciation Feedback
AI-powered feedback on what you say out loud
Spaced Repetition
Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice
Immersive Roleplaying
Practice real conversations with AI partners
Lessons for Your Situation
Request lessons tailored to your specific needs
Get Full LessonWhat Learners Are Saying
“Teaching in Osaka and I wanted to connect with my students beyond the classroom. The everyday conversation made my Japanese feel natural, not textbook-y.”
Mia S., 25, English Teacher
“I hop cities every few months and this is the only app that actually prepares me for living somewhere, not just visiting. Tokyo was the real test — passed with flying colors.”
James O., 28, Remote Worker
“I tried five different apps before this one. The roleplay conversations are what finally made things click. I actually remember what I learn now.”
Sofia R., 31, Marketing Manager