Beginning Japanese for Professionals: Book 3

35 before accepting it. Thus, sometimes “no” may not mean “no” and indicate enryo instead. To play it right, pay attention to tone of voice and facial expressions. You can urge someone not to worry about being polite by saying: Enryo shinai de. Enryo shinai de kudasai . Douzo, goenryo nasaranai de kudasai. To accept the offer, the expression enryo naku ‘without enryo ’ is commonly used. Sou desu ka. Jaa, sekkaku desu kara, enryo naku itadakimasu. Are you sure? Since you insist, I’ll accept it without enryo . On the other hand, enryo-shimasu indicates a polite decline to an invitation. Sekkaku desu kedo, enryo shimasu. Thank you, but no thank you. X wa goenryo kudasai is a polite expression commonly used to ask someone to refrain from doing X. This is much more polite than X kinshi . Otabako wa goenryo kudasai. Please refrain from smoking. Keitai wa goenryo kudasai. Please refrain from using cellphones. Drills and Exercises A. Cue: 写真 しゃしん 、撮 と りたいんですけど。 I’d like to take pictures. Response: 撮 と ってもいいですよ。 It’s okay to take pictures. Cue: ケータイ、使いたいんですけど。 I’d like to use my cellphone. Response: 使ってもいいですよ。 It’s okay to use a cellphone. B. Cue: 写真 しゃしん 、撮 と ってもいいですか。 Is it okay if I take pictures? Response: あ、撮 と らないでください。 Oh, please don’t take them. Cue: ケータイ、使ってもいいですか。 Is it okay if I use my cellphone? Response: あ、使わないでください。 Oh, please don’t use it. C. Say it in Japanese. You are on a group tour. Ask for permission as follows. 1. Can I wait on the bus? 2. Can I go and buy Omiyage at that store? 3. Can I ask you a question? 4. Can I use flash? 5. Can I pay with a credit card? You’ve just heard a Japanese word that you do not know. Ask a co-worker. 6. What does ‘ dota kyan ’ mean ?