Translation guide
How to express cancelling plans, events, subscriptions, or actions in Japanese, depending on what is being cancelled and the situation.
予約をキャンセルしたいです。
I need to cancel my reservation.
イベントは中止になりました。
The event was cancelled.
The speaker wants to cancel a scheduled plan, event, meeting, or reservation.
The most common and versatile way to say 'cancel' in modern Japanese. Used for plans, reservations, orders, subscriptions, etc. Slightly casual but widely accepted.
明日の予定をキャンセルしてもいいですか。
Is it okay if I cancel tomorrow's plans?
I'd like to cancel my hotel reservation.
Means 'to cancel' or 'to revoke' something that has been officially registered or ordered. Often used for orders, applications, or formal cancellations.
注文を取り消したいです。
I'd like to cancel my order.
申し込みを取り消すことはできますか。
Is it possible to cancel the application?
Used when an event, activity, or plan is called off or discontinued, often due to external circumstances. Implies a more definitive stop.
雨で試合が中止になった。
The game was cancelled due to rain.
イベントは中止になりました。
The event has been cancelled.
Means 'to stop' or 'to quit' something you were going to do. Can be used for cancelling personal plans, but sounds more like 'I decided not to do it' rather than a formal cancellation.
やっぱり行くのやめる。
Actually, I'm not going to go after all. (cancelling informally)
The speaker wants to terminate a recurring service, membership, or contract.
The standard term for cancelling a contract, subscription, or membership. Used for phone plans, gym memberships, streaming services, etc.
Netflixを解約したいです。
I want to cancel my Netflix subscription.
ジムの会員を解約する方法を教えてください。
Please tell me how to cancel my gym membership.
Also commonly used for subscriptions, especially in casual contexts or with online services. '解約する' is more formal and contract-oriented.
サブスクをキャンセルするのを忘れた。
I forgot to cancel my subscription.
The speaker wants to undo, nullify, or reverse an action, command, or effect.
Used for undoing an action, such as cancelling a computer command, a sent message, or a previous statement.
送信を取り消しました。
I cancelled the sending. (e.g., unsent a message)
操作を取り消すにはCtrl+Zを押してください。
To undo the action, press Ctrl+Z.
Common in software interfaces for 'cancel' buttons or commands.
キャンセルボタンを押してください。
Please press the cancel button.
The speaker refers to forgiving a debt or waiving a requirement.
Literally 'to wipe the ledger clean'. Means to cancel a debt, or figuratively to consider something null and void.
借金を帳消しにしてもらった。
They cancelled my debt.
キャンセルする is the general 'cancel' for plans and reservations. 取り消す is for revoking orders, applications, or undoing actions. 中止する is for calling off events or activities, often due to external reasons.
For formal contracts, subscriptions, or memberships, use 解約する (かいやくする) instead of キャンセルする. キャンセルする can sound too casual or imprecise in those contexts.