Giving a Souvenir — Senior colleague
Situation
場面- Where
- Back at the office after a trip
- Who
- You and a senior colleague
- Goal
- To give omiyage to colleagues humbly.
Conversation
会話A
出張のお土産です。よろしければ皆さんでどうぞ。
しゅっちょうのおみやげです。よろしければみなさんでどうぞ。
Here's a souvenir from my business trip. Please share it, everyone.
B
わあ、ありがとうございます。気を使っていただいて。
わあ、ありがとうございます。きをつかっていただいて。
Oh, thank you. That's so thoughtful of you.
A
いえいえ、ほんの気持ちです。
いえいえ、ほんのきもちです。
Not at all, it's just a small token.
B
早速いただきますね。
さっそくいただきますね。
I'll have some right away, then.
Vocabulary (10)
単語お土産おみやげ
omiyage
souvenir
Often food to share, brought back from trips.
よろしければよろしければ
yoroshikereba
if you'd like
Polite "if it's okay."
気を使うきをつかう
kiotsukau
to be considerate
気を使っていただいて = "thank you for your thoughtfulness."
ほんの気持ちほんのきもち
honnokimochi
just a small token
Humbly downplays a gift.
早速さっそく
sassoku
right away
早速いただきます = "I'll have it right away."
皆さんみなさん
minasan
everyone
皆さんでどうぞ = "please share, everyone."
お疲れ様ですおつかれさまです
otsukaresamadesu
thank you for your work
The all-purpose workplace greeting, used like hello and goodbye between coworkers.
よろしくお願いしますよろしくおねがいします
yoroshikuonegaishimasu
thank you in advance
Closes most requests and emails; sets a cooperative tone.
確認かくにん
kakunin
confirmation / check
Daily-use word: ご確認お願いします means "please check."
承知しましたしょうちしました
shouchishimashita
understood (polite)
Politer than 分かりました; use with managers and clients.
Grammar
文法よろしければ
よろしければ + offer
Polite "if you like": よろしければどうぞ.
〜ていただいて
Verb te-form + いただいて
Thanks for a favor: 気を使っていただいて.
ほんの〜
ほんの + noun
Just a mere: ほんの気持ち = "just a token."
Cultural Notes
文化メモWorkplace etiquette
Bringing お土産 after a trip is a kind, common gesture. Individually wrapped food to share is ideal.
Common mistake
Downplay the gift (ほんの気持ちです) — presenting it as something grand feels boastful in Japanese culture.
Formality level
Polite-warm. よろしければ皆さんでどうぞ is the natural way to offer shared treats.
Quiz
クイズ1. 「お土産」の意味は？
What does "お土産" mean?
2. 「よろしければ」の意味は？
What does "よろしければ" mean?
3. 「気を使う」の意味は？
What does "気を使う" mean?
4. 「ほんの気持ち」の意味は？
What does "ほんの気持ち" mean?
5. 「早速」の意味は？
What does "早速" mean?
6. 「皆さん」の意味は？
What does "皆さん" mean?
7. 文法「よろしければ」の使い方は？
How is the pattern "よろしければ" used?
8. 文法「〜ていただいて」の使い方は？
How is the pattern "〜ていただいて" used?
9. 文法「ほんの〜」の使い方は？
How is the pattern "ほんの〜" used?
10. この会話の目的は何ですか？
What is the goal of this conversation?
Flashcards
単語カードTurn this lesson into flashcards
Save all 10 vocabulary items to your deck and review them later with spaced repetition.