おごり

• Reading: おごり
• Romaji: ogori
• Pronunciation: /o.ɡo.ɾi/

Meaning

Treating someone to a meal, drink, or purchase — paying for someone else as a gesture of generosity.

おごり carries important social implications in Japan. Seniors treating juniors (先輩 treating 後輩), bosses treating subordinates, and men treating women on dates are all traditional おごり customs. Accepting or declining an おごり requires social grace — refusing too firmly can be rude, but always expecting it can seem entitled. The phrase '今日は俺のおごりだよ' (It's my treat today) is a classic show of generosity.

Examples

1. 先輩がおごりって言ってくれたから、遠慮なくいただきます。 My senpai said it's their treat, so I'm going to gratefully accept.
2. 初デートでおごりじゃなかったらちょっと冷めるって意見、賛否あるよね。 The opinion that it's a turnoff if a guy doesn't treat on the first date is pretty divisive, right?
3. 今月は誕生日だったから友達がおごりでケーキ買ってくれた。 It was my birthday this month so my friend treated me to a cake.

Usage Guide

Context: dining, dating, workplace, friends

Tone: generous, social

Do Say

• 今日は俺のおごりだから好きなもの頼んで！ (It's my treat today, order whatever you want!)
• おごってもらったからお礼のLINE送っとこ。 (They treated me so I should send a thank-you LINE message.)

Don't Say

• 「おごりだよね？」と催促するのはマナー違反 (Asking 'You're treating, right?' is a breach of manners — おごり should be offered, not demanded)

Common Mistakes

• Forgetting to express gratitude after being treated — a thank-you message afterward (ごちそうさまでした) is expected and important in Japanese social etiquette

Origin & History

From the verb おごる (to treat/to be extravagant). The noun form おごり has been used for centuries. In modern usage, it primarily means treating someone to food or drinks, reflecting Japanese hierarchical social customs.

Cultural Context

Era: Traditional custom, ongoing social evolution

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal — from casual meals to business dinners

Regional notes: Used across all of Japan. The 先輩/後輩 dynamic and dating norms around おごり continue to evolve, with younger generations increasingly favoring ワリカン.