After you
AHF-ter-yoo /ˈɑːftə juː/
Neutral Polite
What it really means
Said when letting someone go first through a door, into a lift or into a queue. Polite refusal battles ("No, after YOU") are common and gently comic. Accepting with a "thank you" is perfectly fine.
Chinese explanation
让对方先走（过门、进电梯、排队）时说的话。双方互相谦让（"不不，您先请"）是常见又略带喜感的场面。说声谢谢直接接受完全没问题。
Example conversation
A: After you.
B: No, after you!
A: I insist.
B: Thank you.
A：您先请。
B：不不，您先请！
A：请务必您先。
B：那谢谢啦。
All Politeness Decoder
Reviewed by the UK Decoded editorial team
· Last checked 24 July 2026 · Report a mistake