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少し端数をまける

Grammar & Usage

fixed expression (verb phrase)

neutral, informal in business contexts

How it works

This phrase combines '少し' (a little), '端数' (fractional amount/change), and 'をまける' (to discount/reduce/round down). 'まける' here implies reducing the price by discarding the smaller, inconvenient-to-handle part of the sum, often to facilitate a sale or as a small gesture of goodwill.

Sample sentences

店員さんに「少し端数をまけていただけませんか」とお願いしました。

I asked the store clerk, 'Could you please round down the fraction a little?'

いつもお世話になっているので、少し端数をまけてあげましょう。

You've always been a good customer, so I'll round down the fractional amount for you.

合計金額が2003円だったので、キリよく少し端数をまけて2000円にしました。

The total was 2003 yen, so I rounded down the fractional amount to make it an even 2000 yen.

Quick facts

nuance:Refers specifically to the 'change' or the 'odd amount' rather than a significant percentage discount. It's about rounding the total to an easier, lower number.

politeness:Can be used by a customer to request a small discount, or by a vendor to offer one. It's generally a casual request/offer but acceptable in many retail settings where minor price adjustments are common.

Often used with

まける (to discount/reduce)

端数切り捨て (rounding down fractions)

おまけする (to give an extra/discount)

値段を交渉する (to negotiate the price)

Mnemonic

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Example

店員さんに「少し端数をまけていただけませんか」とお願いしました。

I asked the store clerk, 'Could you please round down the fraction a little?'

いつもお世話になっているので、少し端数をまけてあげましょう。

You've always been a good customer, so I'll round down the fractional amount for you.