1.
reserve, restraint, holding back
The act of refraining from something out of politeness or consideration.
ご遠慮なくどうぞ。
Please don't hold back. / Please help yourself.
Common polite expression
遠慮しないで食べてください。
Please eat without holding back.
タバコはご遠慮ください。
Please refrain from smoking.
Polite prohibition
2.
declining (politely), hesitation
Politely refusing or abstaining from something.
遠慮します。
I'll pass. / I'll decline.
Polite refusal
お酒は遠慮しておきます。
I'll pass on the alcohol.
せっかくですが、今日は遠慮させていただきます。
Thank you for the offer, but I'll have to decline today.
Formal way of declining
遠慮 expresses the Japanese cultural concept of holding back out of politeness or consideration.
Verb usage: 遠慮する - to hold back, to refrain, to decline
Common expressions:
- ご遠慮なく: without holding back, feel free
- ご遠慮ください: please refrain (polite prohibition)
- 遠慮します: I'll decline (polite refusal)
- 遠慮しないで: don't hold back
Cultural note: 遠慮 reflects the Japanese value of being considerate and not imposing on others. Over-eating, speaking too much, or asking for favors without 遠慮 can be seen as impolite.
[Register: Polite]