お手数(てすう)

REGISTER: Formal/Polite
Used in polite and business contexts. The base word 手数(てすう) exists but is rarely used alone; お手数(てすう) is the standard form.

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

• お手数(てすう)をおかけする (to cause trouble)
• お手数(てすう)ですが... (I'm sorry for the trouble, but...)
• お手数(てすう)おかけしました (Thank you for your trouble)
• お手数(てすう)をおかけして申(もう)し訳(わけ)ございません (I deeply apologize for the trouble)

USAGE NOTES:

• お手数(てすう)ですが is a polite way to preface requests
• Commonly used in business emails, customer service, and formal situations
• Shows consideration for the other person's time and effort

RELATED EXPRESSIONS:

• 面倒(めんどう)をかける (to cause trouble - less formal)
• ご迷惑(めいわく)をおかけする (to cause inconvenience - formal)
• お手間(てま)をとらせる (to take up someone's time)