遠慮します（えんりょします、enryoshimasu）
- to hesitate

The Japanese verb 遠慮します 遠慮します means "to refrain from," "to decline," "to hold back," "to be reserved," or "to hesitate." It implies consideration for others and a desire not to impose or cause trouble. It's often used to politely decline an offer, request, or invitation. It can also express a sense of restraint or self-control.

⚫︎お酒は遠慮します。 Translation: I'll pass on the alcohol. / I'll refrain from drinking alcohol. ⚫︎今回は遠慮させていただきます。 Translation: I'll have to decline this time. / I'll refrain this time. ⚫︎遠慮なく食べてください。 Translation: Please eat without hesitation. / Please feel free to eat.

⚫︎遠慮します 遠慮します is used in polite situations, such as when declining an offer, a suggestion, or an invitation out of politeness or consideration for others. ⚫︎It's important to use it appropriately; excessive use might suggest a lack of enthusiasm or could be misinterpreted. ⚫︎The level of politeness can be adjusted by adding words like 今回は (this time) or させていただきます (to allow me to do). ⚫︎It can be used to politely decline food, drink, or an invitation to an event. ⚫︎It can express a person's unwillingness to inconvenience or bother someone.

⚫︎The standard writing is 遠慮します. ⚫︎遠慮 is written with the kanji 遠慮 and read as えんりょ (enryo). ⚫︎The verb stem is 遠慮 遠慮, and the polite verb ending is します (shimasu). ⚫︎Variations exist depending on the level of politeness and formality (e.g., 遠慮させていただきます).

⚫︎断ります (kotowarimasu) - to refuse; to decline ⚫︎辞退します (jitai shimasu) - to decline (more formal) ⚫︎結構です (kekkou desu) - No, thank you. (It's fine.) ⚫︎ご遠慮ください (go enryo kudasai) - Please refrain from... (used to warn or instruct)

⚫︎いただきます (itadakimasu) - Thank you; I'll accept (used when accepting food/drink) ⚫︎お願いします (onegaishimasu) - Please (used when making a request) ⚫︎参加します (sanka shimasu) - to participate; to join

すみません、今日はちょっと疲れているので、パーティーは遠慮します。 ・Translation: I'm sorry, I'm a little tired today, so I'll pass on the party. ・Explanation: This sentence politely declines an invitation to a party because the speaker is tired.

何かお手伝いできることはありますか？いいえ、大丈夫です。遠慮します。 ・Translation: Is there anything I can help you with? No, it's okay. I'll pass. / No, thank you, I'll refrain. ・Explanation: This conversation shows someone declining an offer of help politely.

⚫︎遠慮 遠慮 is a compound word formed from: ⚫︎遠 (en) meaning "far" or "distant." ⚫︎慮 (ryo) meaning "consideration," "thought," or "concern." ⚫︎Therefore, 遠慮 遠慮 literally implies a "distant consideration" or "careful consideration," reflecting the act of being mindful of others. The verb form 遠慮します 遠慮します developed from this.