Treat yourself
Meaning: To indulge in something nice as a reward; to spend on personal luxuries.
'Treat yourself' became a cultural catchphrase thanks to the TV show 'Parks and Recreation,' where characters Tom and Donna have an annual 'Treat Yo' Self' day of pure indulgence. It's now used to justify any non-essential purchase — from a fancy coffee to a designer bag.
Examples
- You worked hard this week — treat yourself to something nice. 你这周辛苦了——买点好东西犒劳自己吧。Has trabajado duro esta semana — date un capricho con algo bonito.今週は頑張ったんだから——何かいいもので自分にご褒美をあげなよ。이번 주 열심히 일했잖아——좋은 거 사서 자기 자신에게 보상해 줘.
- It's my birthday, so I'm treating myself to a spa day. 今天是我生日,我要去做个水疗犒劳自己。Es mi cumpleaños, así que me voy a regalar un día de spa.誕生日だから、スパで自分にご褒美をあげるんだ。내 생일이니까, 스파 데이로 자신에게 보상해 줄 거야.
- I know I shouldn't, but treat yourself, right? 我知道不该买,但偶尔犒劳一下自己嘛,对吧?Sé que no debería, pero hay que darse un capricho de vez en cuando, ¿no?買うべきじゃないのはわかってるけど、自分へのご褒美ってことで、いいよね?사면 안 되는 거 알지만, 자기 보상이잖아, 그치?
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: self-care, shopping, social media, humor
Tone: indulgent, self-affirming
✓ Do Say
- Treat yourself — you deserve it.犒劳一下自己吧——你值得。Date un capricho — te lo mereces (Treat yourself — you deserve it).自分にご褒美あげなよ——それだけのことをしたんだから。자신에게 좀 사 줘——그럴 자격이 있으니까.
- Treat yo' self!犒劳一下自己!¡Date un gustazo! (Treat yo' self!)自分にご褒美!(Treat yo' self!)나를 위한 선물이야!
✗ Don't Say
- Often used to jokingly justify bad financial decisions — 'I bought a $2,000 bag but treat yourself, right?'常被用来戏谑地为不理智的消费找借口——比如'我买了个2000美元的包,但偶尔犒劳一下自己嘛,对吧?'Se usa a menudo para justificar en broma malas decisiones financieras — 'Me compré un bolso de 2.000 dólares, pero hay que darse un capricho, ¿no?'悪い金銭判断を冗談っぽく正当化するためによく使われる——「20万円のバッグ買っちゃったけど、自分へのご褒美ってことで、いいよね?」나쁜 재정 결정을 장난스럽게 정당화하는 데 자주 사용된다 — '200만 원짜리 가방 샀는데 자기 보상이잖아, 그치?'
Origin & History
While the concept has always existed, the catchphrase was popularized by the TV show 'Parks and Recreation' (2011 episode 'Treat Yo' Self'). Tom Haverford and Donna Meagle's annual indulgence day became a cultural phenomenon.
Cultural Context
Era: 2011 onwards (popularized)
Generation: Millennials, Gen Z
Social background: Universal
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