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Japanese Refusal Guide: The Art of Saying No Politely

Last updated: September 19, 2024

The ability to say 'no' is an important skill to have in any language, but besides a simple 'no' there are often many ways you can decline. In this article we will go over the most common and most important ways to turn something down in Japanese.

Say 'No' Directly

Expression

English Meaning

Romaji

ううん
No
uun
いえ
No
ie
いいや
No / No way
iiya
いやいや
No / I disagree / On the contrary
iya iya
いいえ
No
iie

ううん and いえ are probably the two most common ways to express a negative. Both express a simple, direct 'no.'

いいや is used to negate what another person has said or to express an opposing feeling.

いやいや can be simply used as a stronger way to refuse something, but can also be used to deny that something is the case, followed by stating the opposite.

いいえ is the formal equivalent of ううん, and simply expresses a direct 'no.'

Say 'No' More Indirectly

Expression

English Meaning

Romaji

遠慮(えんりょ)する
I refrain
enryo suru
(むずか)しい
Difficult
muzukashii
大丈夫(だいじょうぶ)
I'm good
daijoubu
結構(けっこう)
No, thank you
kekkou

遠慮(えんりょ)する can be translated as 'to refrain' and is used as a more indirect way to refuse something.

(むずか)しい literally means 'difficult', but can be used in a similar way as one might use 'that might be difficult'. Even though 'difficult' does not mean impossible, using this phrase basically always means 'no.'

大丈夫(だいじょうぶ) is used in a similar way to 'No, thank you, I'm fine' is used in English.

結構(けっこう) is a pretty formal expression to say 'No, thank you.'

Conclusion

As you can see, understanding the various ways to decline something in Japanese goes beyond just learning the word itself. Whether through indirect expressions or polite refusals, saying "no" in Japan often reflects the cultural values of respect and harmony. By mastering these nuances, you will be able communicate more effectively and navigate social interactions with greater confidence and cultural awareness.

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