Polite to Host
Cultural · Communication
You
お気遣いなく。
おきづかいなく。
Please don't go to any trouble on my account.
Romaji: Okizukai naku. / Reply Romaji: Ie ie, dōzo enryo naku.
Reply
いいえ、どうぞ遠慮なく。
いいえ、どうぞえんりょなく。
Not at all, please feel free.
Gesture & etiquette
A gentle wave of one hand (palm outward) paired with a warm smile and slight bow conveys this naturally; avoid shaking your head vigorously, which can seem abrupt.
Used to gracefully decline excessive host attentiveness — for example, when a host keeps refilling tea or fussing over you. It is polite yet warm, signaling that you are comfortable and they need not exert themselves further. Without this phrase, foreigners may silently allow hosts to over-serve out of not wanting to seem ungrateful.
#hospitality#decline#host#polite#cultural#consideration#guest#casual