あ、お先にどうぞ。 — Oh, please go ahead. (Cultural · Communication, Casual — to friend, JLPT N4)

Gesture & etiquette

Step half a pace back, open palm gestures the direction (never finger-point). Light smile or polite nod. Hold the door or pause until the other person moves through. Simple but warm exchange.

Universal yielding phrase — for doorways, elevator doors, narrow paths, queue at the convenience store register, anywhere two people might pause to defer. Light gesture with an open palm toward the direction they should go. Often reciprocated as 'いえいえ、どうぞ' (no no, after you) — gentle back-and-forth politeness until someone moves.