How to Say ‘Please keep the change.’ in Japanese
お釣りは結構です。
o tsuri wa kekkou desu
[oh tsoo-ree wah kehk-koh dess]
💬 Usage Tip: [結構です] can mean "that's fine" or "no thank you" depending on context. Here [お釣りは結構です] means you don't need the change back.
🇯🇵 In Japan: This is a polite way to tell someone to keep small change as a tip-like gesture, though tipping is not standard in Japan. Use it only in situations where leaving the change makes sense; don't assume full tipping customs work the same way.
Phrase Breakdown
お
o
[oh]
honorific prefix
Adds politeness to certain service-related nouns.
お釣りは結構です。
You can keep the change.
釣り
tsuri
[tsoo-ree]
change
Money returned after payment when you gave more than the total cost.
お釣りは結構です。
You can keep the change.
は
wa
[wah]
topic marker
The particle は marks what the sentence is about: the change.
お釣りは結構です。
As for the change, it's not necessary.
結構
kekkou
[kehk-koh]
fine; not necessary
In this context, it politely means 'I don't need it' or 'that's okay.'
お水は結構です。
No water for me, thank you.
です
desu
[dess]
is; polite copula
Polite sentence ending.
お釣りは結構です。
You can keep the change.
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