御用達ごようたし

also: ごようたつ · ごようだつ · ごようだち

ご

よ

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し

Freq.FrequencyTop 20,000

Meanings

noun, used as a suffix

purveyor to the Imperial Household; official supplier

Historical and formal term for a business officially appointed to supply goods or services to the Imperial Household or other high-ranking entities. Now often used loosely in marketing.

あの老舗しにせは宮内庁御用達くないちょうごようたしの和わ菓が子し屋やです。
That long-established shop is a Japanese confectioner purveyor to the Imperial Household Agency.
この醤しょう油ゆは皇室御用達こうしつごようたしとして知しられている。
This soy sauce is known as an official supplier to the Imperial Family.

noun, used as a suffix

popular with a specific clientele; favorite of; go-to for

Informal, often humorous or marketing use. Indicates a place or product that is especially popular with or caters to a particular group, e.g., セレブ御用達 (popular with celebrities).

このカフェは地じ元もとの学がく生せい御用達ごようたしの店みせだ。
This café is a favorite hangout for local students.
あのブランドはセレブ御用達ごようたしとして有ゆう名めいになった。
That brand became famous as a favorite among celebrities.

Usage patterns

〈組織そしき〉〉の御用達ごようたしthe official purveyor/supplier for <organization>
この店みせは宮く内ない庁ちょうの御用達ごようたしだ。
This shop is the Imperial Household Agency's official purveyor.
〈相手あいて〉ごようたし〉御用達の〈もの〈物〉〉an item especially favored by/for <a certain group>
このバッグはセレブ御用達ごようたしだ。
This bag is a favorite among celebrities.
〈場所ばしょ〉ごようたし〉御用達の〈もの〈物〉〉a place or product favored by the locals of <place>
このラーメン店てんは地じ元もと御用達ごようたしだ。
This ramen shop is a local favorite.

Kanji

御honorable, manipulate, govern
用utilize, business, service
達accomplished, reach, arrive

Related words

御ご用よう商しょう人にん sense 1
御用商人 is the historical term for a merchant granted the right to supply goods to a lord or the Imperial Household, essentially the same role as 御用達 but emphasizing the merchant's status rather than the supply relationship.
定てい番ばん sense 2
定番 describes a standard, go-to item popular in general, while 御用達 specifically frames something as favored by a particular group or clientele.
納のう入にゅう業ぎょう者しゃ sense 1
納入業者 is a plain, modern term for any supplier or vendor, lacking the prestigious historical or marketing flair that 御用達 carries.
用よう足たしN1
御用達 specifically means a purveyor to the imperial household or a prestigious client, while 用足し is the more general term for purveying or supplying.

Don't confuse with

御ご用よう sense 1
御用 means 'official business' or 'an order from a superior,' while 御用達 refers specifically to the supplier who fulfills such orders, so the two share kanji but differ in meaning and part of speech.

Written forms

御用達
- ごようたし
  Standard kanji spelling. The reading ごようたし is the most common.
- ごようたつ
  Alternate reading, less common.
- ごようだつ
  Alternate reading, less common.
- ごようだち
  Alternate reading, less common.
ご用達
- ごようたし
  Kana-mixed spelling, less formal but still seen.
- ごようたつ
- ごようだち
- ごようだつ
ごようたつ
ごようだち
ごようだつ

Etymology

From 御用 (official business, orders) + 達 (pluralizing suffix, here indicating a person or entity associated with the preceding noun). Originally referred to merchants who supplied goods to the shogunate or imperial court.