Formal to Acquaintance
Cultural · Gift
つまらないものですが、よかったらお使いください。 — It's just a small token, but please use it if you'd like. (Cultural · Gift, Formal to Acquaintance, JLPT N3)
You
つまらないものですが、よかったらお使いください。
つまらないものですが、よかったらおつかいください。
It's just a small token, but please use it if you'd like.
Romaji: Tsumaranai mono desu ga, yokattara otsukai kudasai. / Reply Romaji: Ara, arigatou gozaimasu. Itadakimasu.
Reply
あら、ありがとうございます。いただきます。
あら、ありがとうございます。いただきます。
Oh my, thank you so much. I'll gladly accept it.
Gesture & etiquette
Present the gift with both hands and bow slightly at around 15-20 degrees. The gift is typically wrapped in decorative paper (wrapping is part of the gift itself in Japan) — ensure the wrapping is neat and appropriate for the occasion.
「つまらないものですが」(it's a trivial thing, but...) is the cornerstone of Japanese gift-giving humility — used even when the gift is valuable. Self-deprecation prevents the giver from appearing to show off or creating pressure on the recipient to reciprocate proportionately.