Japanese Refusal Guide: The Art of Saying No Politely

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

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

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.

難(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.

If you are just starting out with your learning journey and are looking for a comprehensive course that teaches you Japanese from zero with easy-to-follow lessons, plenty of example sentences, and audio, then we recommend our Migaku Japanese Guide, the best way to learn Japanese.