22 Japanese ways to say “After you”
Ever found yourself wanting to politely say “After you” in Japanese but unsure which phrase fits best? Whether you’re holding the door or letting someone go first in line, Japan offers a beautiful variety of ways to express this simple gesture.
From casual to ultra-polite, each phrase carries its own nuance and charm. It’s a small phrase that can open doors—literally and figuratively—to kindness and respect.
Learning these expressions can make your interactions smoother and more culturally rich, whether you’re visiting Japan, chatting with friends, or just enjoying the language.
So let’s dive into 22 warm, friendly, and practical ways to say “After you” in Japanese, complete with pronunciation tips to help you sound natural and confident.
And if you want to explore even more useful phrases, check out a great beginner Japanese phrasebook to keep handy.
Ready? Let’s get started with the most common and move toward more nuanced expressions!
When to Say “After You” in Japanese
Before we jump into the phrases, it’s good to know when to use them. Saying “After you” is a polite gesture, often used when letting someone go ahead in a doorway, a line, or when offering the chance to speak first.
In Japanese culture, politeness and subtlety matter a lot, so the context will guide which phrase fits best—casual with friends, or formal with strangers or superiors.
By mastering these, you’ll not only speak more naturally but also show cultural awareness.
And for a handy companion to your study, a polite Japanese phrases guide can be a lifesaver.
Now, let’s start with some casual and friendly ways to say “After you.”
These are perfect for everyday situations with friends or people you know well.
Part 1: Casual Suggestions
1. どうぞ (Dōzo) – “Please, go ahead.”
One of the simplest ways to say “After you” is どうぞ (Dōzo), pronounced doh-zoh. It literally means “please” and is commonly used when offering something or letting someone go ahead.
This phrase is super versatile—perfect for casual or even some polite contexts, and easy to remember because it’s short and sweet.
Using どうぞ shows friendliness and a willingness to let others take the lead without fuss.
It’s often accompanied by a gesture like a slight bow or an open hand, making your kindness clear.
If you want to be a bit more formal, you can add どうぞお先に (Dōzo osaki ni), which means “Please, go ahead first.”
Try using どうぞ next time you want to politely let someone pass—you’ll sound natural and thoughtful!
2. お先にどうぞ (Osaki ni dōzo) – “After you, please.”
お先にどうぞ (Osaki ni dōzo), pronounced oh-sah-kee nee doh-zoh, is a slightly more specific way to say “After you.” It literally means “Please, (you) go ahead first.”
This phrase is polite and common in everyday situations, especially when you want to be clear about letting someone go before you.
It’s friendly and easy to use with coworkers, acquaintances, or friends.
The word お先に (osaki ni) means “before you” or “ahead,” and どうぞ adds the polite “please.”
Be careful not to confuse お先に (osaki ni) with “ahead” in terms of time, but context usually makes it clear.
It’s a great phrase to practice and use confidently in a variety of social situations.
3. 先にどうぞ (Saki ni dōzo) – “Go ahead first.”
先にどうぞ (Saki ni dōzo), pronounced sah-kee nee doh-zoh, is another casual way to say “Go ahead first.”
It’s similar to お先にどうぞ but without the polite prefix お (o), so it’s a bit more informal but still polite enough for many occasions.
先に (Saki ni) means “ahead” or “before,” and どうぞ (dōzo) is “please.”
Use this with friends or colleagues when you want to be polite but not overly formal.
This phrase is easy to remember by focusing on the two parts: “go ahead” + “please.”
It’s a handy phrase to keep in your casual conversation toolkit.
4. どうぞ先に (Dōzo saki ni) – “Please, after you.”
どうぞ先に (Dōzo saki ni), pronounced doh-zoh sah-kee nee, flips the order but means the same as “Please, after you.”
The phrase keeps the polite どうぞ (please) upfront, followed by 先に (ahead/first), making it very natural sounding.
This version is less formal but very friendly and common among acquaintances or casual situations.
Just remember the word order to keep it sounding smooth and natural.
It’s a great alternative if you want to switch things up from お先にどうぞ or 先にどうぞ.
Practice this one out loud to get comfortable with the rhythm!
5. 先にどうぞお入りください (Saki ni dōzo o-hairi kudasai) – “Please enter first.”
先にどうぞお入りください (Saki ni dōzo o-hairi kudasai), pronounced sah-kee nee doh-zoh oh-hah-ree koo-dah-sah-ee, is a polite way to say “Please enter first.”
This phrase is perfect for welcoming guests or letting someone go into a room or building before you.
先に (Saki ni) means “first,” どうぞ (Dōzo) is “please,” and お入りください (o-hairi kudasai) is a formal way of saying “please enter.”
It’s a bit longer but great for formal or business settings.
Using お入りください (o-hairi kudasai) instead of just 入って (haitte) adds respect and politeness.
Try this one at formal gatherings or when hosting visitors to show your manners!
6. お先にどうぞお使いください (Osaki ni dōzo otsukai kudasai) – “Please use it first.”
お先にどうぞお使いください (Osaki ni dōzo otsukai kudasai), pronounced oh-sah-kee nee doh-zoh oh-tsu-kai koo-dah-sah-ee, means “Please use it first.”
Great for situations where you’re letting someone use something before you, like a seat, device, or object.
お先に (Osaki ni) = “ahead/first,” どうぞ (Dōzo) = “please,” and お使いください (otsukai kudasai) = “please use.”
It’s very polite and shows respect for the other’s comfort.
Perfect for workplace or formal settings, but can also be used casually with added warmth.
Keep this phrase handy when sharing resources or spaces!
7. お先にどうぞ召し上がってください (Osaki ni dōzo meshiagatte kudasai) – “Please eat/go ahead first.”
お先にどうぞ召し上がってください (Osaki ni dōzo meshiagatte kudasai), pronounced oh-sah-kee nee doh-zoh meh-shee-ah-gaht-teh koo-dah-sah-ee, is a polite way to say “Please eat first” or “After you, please.”
召し上がってください (meshiagatte kudasai) is a respectful phrase used to invite someone to eat or drink.
Combine it with お先にどうぞ (osaki ni dōzo) to warmly offer others the chance to start before you.
This is perfect in formal dining or social situations where you want to be extra considerate.
It’s a phrase that shows hospitality and respect, which is highly valued in Japan.
Use this to make your guests feel truly welcome!
8. どうぞお先に (Dōzo osaki ni) – “Please, after you.”
どうぞお先に (Dōzo osaki ni), pronounced doh-zoh oh-sah-kee nee, is a casual and smooth way to say “After you” or “Please, you first.”
This phrase is versatile and works well in everyday situations among friends or colleagues.
The order emphasizes the polite “please” (どうぞ) right up front, followed by the invitation to go first (お先に).
It’s easy to say and sounds very natural.
Try this one when you want a polite, friendly way to let someone lead.
It’s a great phrase for casual but respectful interactions.
Part 2: Polite & Formal Suggestions
9. お先に失礼します (Osaki ni shitsurei shimasu) – “Excuse me for going ahead.”
お先に失礼します (Osaki ni shitsurei shimasu), pronounced oh-sah-kee nee shee-tsu-ray shee-mahss, is a very polite phrase meaning “Excuse me for going ahead.”
Commonly used in workplaces or formal environments when you leave before others or go ahead in a line.
失礼します (shitsurei shimasu) means “excuse me” or “sorry for being rude,” showing humility.
Adding お先に (osaki ni) indicates you’re doing this “before” others, politely.
This phrase is a respectful way to acknowledge you’re going ahead without ignoring social etiquette.
Perfect for formal settings—try it when leaving meetings or passing through doors first!
10. どうぞご遠慮なく (Dōzo go-enryo naku) – “Please, don’t hesitate, after you.”
どうぞご遠慮なく (Dōzo go-enryo naku), pronounced doh-zoh goh-en-ryoh nah-koo, means “Please, don’t hesitate,” often used to encourage someone to go ahead or accept an offer.
ご遠慮 (go-enryo) means “restraint” or “hesitation,” and なく (naku) negates it.
This phrase is polite and often used in service or formal contexts to show you want the other person to feel comfortable taking the lead.
It’s warmer and invites openness beyond just letting someone go first.
Use this when you want to sound courteous and genuinely inviting.
Great for offering seats, food, or letting others enter first.
11. お待ちください (O-machi kudasai) – “Please wait, after you.”
お待ちください (O-machi kudasai), pronounced oh-mah-chee koo-dah-sah-ee, means “Please wait.”
Though it literally means “wait,” it can be used politely to indicate “After you,” when you want someone to take their time or proceed first.
お (o-) is an honorific prefix, 待ち (machi) means “waiting,” and ください (kudasai) means “please.”
This phrase is very polite and often used in customer service or formal situations.
Though not a direct “after you,” it sets the tone for respectful waiting or letting others act first.
Pair it with gestures to make your meaning clear and kind.
12. ご先にどうぞ (Go-saki ni dōzo) – “Please, go ahead.”
ご先にどうぞ (Go-saki ni dōzo), pronounced goh-sah-kee nee doh-zoh, is a very polite form meaning “Please, go ahead.”
The prefix ご (go) adds extra respect before 先に (saki ni) “ahead,” plus どうぞ (dōzo) “please.”
This phrase is formal and perfect for business or respectful social settings.
It’s a polished way to let someone pass or act first with humility.
Use it when you want to sound very courteous and professional.
Remember, the polite prefix ご makes all the difference here!
13. どうぞお先にお進みください (Dōzo osaki ni osusumi kudasai) – “Please proceed first.”
どうぞお先にお進みください (Dōzo osaki ni osusumi kudasai), pronounced doh-zoh oh-sah-kee nee oh-soo-soo-mee koo-dah-sah-ee, means “Please proceed first.”
This is a refined and polite way to let someone go before you, often used in formal or ceremonial situations.
お進みください (osusumi kudasai) means “please proceed,” and combined with お先に (osaki ni) and どうぞ (dōzo), it’s both respectful and inviting.
Use this at weddings, conferences, or events where formality is key.
It shows attentiveness and grace in your manners.
Practice this phrase if you want to impress with your politeness!
14. お先にどうぞお通りください (Osaki ni dōzo o-tōri kudasai) – “Please pass ahead.”
お先にどうぞお通りください (Osaki ni dōzo o-tōri kudasai), pronounced oh-sah-kee nee doh-zoh oh-toh-ree koo-dah-sah-ee, means “Please pass ahead.”
This formal phrase is used when inviting someone to go through a door or hallway before you.
お通りください (o-tōri kudasai) means “please pass through,” combined with お先に (osaki ni) and どうぞ (dōzo) for politeness.
It’s perfect for hosts, staff, or anyone showing respect in formal settings.
Use it to politely direct guests or visitors, making them feel honored.
It’s a phrase that balances formality and warmth beautifully.
15. ご遠慮なくお先にどうぞ (Go-enryo naku osaki ni dōzo) – “Please, don’t hesitate to go first.”
ご遠慮なくお先にどうぞ (Go-enryo naku osaki ni dōzo), pronounced goh-en-ryoh nah-koo oh-sah-kee nee doh-zoh, means “Please, don’t hesitate to go first.”
This phrase combines politeness with encouragement, telling the person to feel comfortable and not hold back.
ご遠慮なく (go-enryo naku) means “without restraint” or “don’t hesitate,” paired with お先にどうぞ (osaki ni dōzo) for “after you.”
It’s great for formal or semi-formal situations where you want to be especially gracious.
Use it to make others feel genuinely welcome and at ease.
This phrase is a kind invitation wrapped in respectful language.
16. お先にどうぞご利用ください (Osaki ni dōzo go-riyō kudasai) – “Please use (it) first.”
お先にどうぞご利用ください (Osaki ni dōzo go-riyō kudasai), pronounced oh-sah-kee nee doh-zoh goh-ree-yoh koo-dah-sah-ee, means “Please use (it) first.”
This phrase is ideal for formal situations where you’re offering someone first use of a service or facility.
ご利用ください (go-riyō kudasai) means “please use,” and the addition of お先にどうぞ (osaki ni dōzo) makes it clear you’re inviting them ahead of you.
It’s often used in customer service, hospitality, or business contexts.
Using this phrase shows respect and attentiveness to others’ comfort.
Perfect for situations where politeness is key!
Part 3: Very Casual / Native-like Expressions
17. 先にどうぞね (Saki ni dōzo ne) – “Go ahead now.”
先にどうぞね (Saki ni dōzo ne), pronounced sah-kee nee doh-zoh neh, is a casual and friendly way to say “Go ahead now.”
The particle ね (ne) adds warmth and softness, like “okay?” or “right?” making it sound very natural and conversational.
Perfect among close friends or family when letting someone go first.
It’s easy to use and adds a native touch to your speech.
Try using this phrase to sound more relaxed and informal.
It’s a great way to build friendly rapport!
18. どうぞ好きなように (Dōzo suki na yō ni) – “After you, as you like.”
どうぞ好きなように (Dōzo suki na yō ni), pronounced doh-zoh sue-kee nah yoh nee, means “Please, as you like” or “After you, do as you please.”
好きなように (suki na yō ni) means “as you like,” adding a casual and relaxed vibe.
Use this when you want to let someone go first or make a choice freely, especially among friends.
It’s warm and shows trust in the other person’s preference.
This phrase feels very natural and colloquial.
Great for casual conversations where you want to sound easygoing.
19. どうぞ先へ (Dōzo saki e) – “Please, ahead.”
どうぞ先へ (Dōzo saki e), pronounced doh-zoh sah-kee eh, is a short, casual phrase meaning “Please, ahead.”
先へ (saki e) means “ahead” or “forward,” and with どうぞ (please), it’s a friendly invitation to go first.
It’s less formal than many phrases here but perfectly natural in everyday speech.
Use this when you want to quickly and kindly let someone go before you.
It’s a direct and warm phrase for casual situations.
Try it for a simple, native-like touch!
20. どうぞ先に行って (Dōzo saki ni itte) – “Please, go ahead.”
どうぞ先に行って (Dōzo saki ni itte), pronounced doh-zoh sah-kee nee eet-teh, means “Please, go ahead.”
行って (itte) is the te-form of 行く (iku), “to go,” making this a casual invitation to proceed first.
It’s informal but polite enough for friends and coworkers.
Use this when you want to encourage someone to move ahead comfortably.
It’s easy to say and sounds friendly and natural.
Great for everyday social situations!
21. どうぞ先にどうぞ (Dōzo saki ni dōzo) – “After you, please.”
どうぞ先にどうぞ (Dōzo saki ni dōzo), pronounced doh-zoh sah-kee nee doh-zoh, repeats “please” twice for emphasis, meaning “After you, please.”
It sounds playful and warm, often used among close friends or in informal settings.
The double どうぞ adds a lighthearted, welcoming feel.
It’s less about strict politeness and more about friendliness and fun.
Use this phrase to break the ice or make a casual moment more enjoyable.
It’s a fun way to show you care!
22. 先にどうぞ〜 (Saki ni dōzo~) – “Go ahead~” (with elongation)
先にどうぞ〜 (Saki ni dōzo~), pronounced sah-kee nee doh-zoh with a soft elongation, is a very casual, friendly way to say “Go ahead~” with a warm tone.
The tilde (~) indicates a drawn-out sound in writing, but spoken it’s a gentle, inviting tone.
Use this with friends or family when you want to be relaxed and kind.
This is perfect for casual, everyday moments and shows your easygoing nature.
Try elongating your voice softly on どうぞ to sound natural.
It’s a lovely way to make the phrase feel warm and personal.
Concluding Thought
Mastering these 22 ways to say “After you” in Japanese is a wonderful step toward more natural and culturally sensitive communication.
Whether you’re using casual phrases with friends or formal expressions in business, each one helps you connect with kindness and respect.
Keep practicing these phrases, and you’ll find that “After you” becomes not just a polite gesture but a genuine expression of warmth in your Japanese conversations. がんばってね！ (Ganbatte ne!)
