Polite to Guest
Cultural · Gift
今すぐ開けなくて大丈夫ですよ。後でゆっくりご覧ください。 — There's no need to open it right now. Please take your time looking at it later. (Cultural · Gift, Polite to Guest, JLPT N4)
You
今すぐ開けなくて大丈夫ですよ。後でゆっくりご覧ください。
いますぐあけなくてだいじょうぶですよ。あとでゆっくりごらんください。
There's no need to open it right now. Please take your time looking at it later.
Romaji: Ima sugu akenakute daijoubu desu yo. Ato de yukkuri go-ran kudasai. / Reply Romaji: Sou desu ka. Arigatou gozaimasu.
Reply
そうですか。ありがとうございます。
そうですか。ありがとうございます。
Is that so. Thank you very much.
Gesture & etiquette
Present the gift with both hands and a bow, then step back slightly — this creates space for the recipient to set it aside without feeling observed. Do not watch or wait expectantly for them to open it.
In Japanese gift-giving culture, opening a gift immediately in front of the giver is traditionally considered somewhat forward or overly eager — unlike Western custom. Saying this phrase gives the recipient 'permission' to follow Japanese norms. In international settings, the host may open it immediately; follow their lead.