The Difference Between “召し上がりください (meshiagarikudasai)” and “召し上がってください (meshiagatte kudasai)”
What’s the Difference Between “召し上がってください (meshiagatte kudasai)” and “お召し上がりください (omeshiagarikudasai)”?
To cut to the chase, the correct phrase is “召し上がってください (meshiagatte kudasai)”.
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“召し上がる (meshiagaru)” is the respectful form of “食べる (taberu)” or “飲む (nomu)” (to eat or drink). It’s used to show respect towards the person you’re talking to.
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Adding “お” in “お召し上がりください (omeshiagarikudasai)” makes it a double honorific, which is technically incorrect in Japanese.
However, why is “お召し上がりください (omeshiagarikudasai)” commonly used? It’s because it’s widely accepted as a polite expression and gives off a more courteous impression.
Why Is “お召し上がりください (omeshiagarikudasai)” So Common?
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Conventional Use: Over time, “お召し上がりください (omeshiagarikudasai)” has become widely used, so it feels natural to many people.
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More Polite Impression: Adding “お” gives a softer, more polite tone.
Which One Should You Use?
Both expressions are acceptable in most situations and won’t cause any discomfort. However, if you want to stick to proper Japanese, it’s best to use “召し上がってください (meshiagatte kudasai)”.
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Correct Japanese: Use “召し上がってください (meshiagatte kudasai)”.
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When You Want to Sound Extra Polite: You might opt for “お召し上がりください (omeshiagarikudasai)”.
Summary: The Difference Between “召し上がってください (meshiagatte kudasai)” and “お召し上がりください (omeshiagarikudasai)”
Both “召し上がってください (meshiagatte kudasai)” and “お召し上がりください (omeshiagarikudasai)” are polite ways to invite someone to eat. However, there’s a slight difference. “召し上がる (meshiagaru)” is already a respectful form of “to eat” or “to drink.” By adding “お,” as in “お召し上がりください (omeshiagarikudasai),” you create a double honorific, which isn’t considered proper in strict Japanese usage.
So why is “お召し上がりください (omeshiagarikudasai)” so widespread? It’s due to long-standing habits and the desire to sound more polite. That said, if you aim for accuracy in Japanese, “召し上がってください (meshiagatte kudasai)” is the better choice.
Mastering Japanese honorifics requires understanding when and how to use them depending on the situation and the person you’re speaking to. For instance, when addressing someone of higher status or a customer, it’s common to use the more polite “召し上がってください (meshiagatte kudasai).” On the other hand, with close friends, you could soften it with a phrase like “どうぞ召し上がってください (douzo meshiagatte kudasai),” which would still be polite but a bit more casual.
Learning Japanese honorifics will not only enhance your communication with native speakers but also deepen your understanding of Japanese culture and history. Just like adding a secret ingredient to a dish, using the right honorifics will make your words much more refined and engaging.
Like “召し上がってください (meshiagatte kudasai),” the world of Japanese is rich with layers of meaning, each word adding flavor to your conversations. By learning how to use each word correctly, you’ll create a more refined and flavorful ‘dish’ of Japanese language skills.
