Translation guide
The English word "decline" has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common uses: politely refusing, decreasing in amount or quality, and the grammatical concept of declining words. Each meaning requires different Japanese expressions.
To say no to an invitation, offer, or request in a polite way.
The most direct and common verb for declining an offer or invitation. Can be used in various levels of politeness by changing the form.
招待を断った。
I declined the invitation.
丁寧に断るつもりです。
I intend to decline politely.
A polite, formal way to decline. Often used in business or when speaking to superiors.
申し訳ありませんが、お断りします。
I'm sorry, but I must decline.
To refrain from accepting out of politeness or modesty. Implies holding back rather than a direct refusal.
お酒は遠慮します。
I'll pass on the alcohol (out of politeness).
To formally decline an offer, position, or nomination. More formal than 断る, often used in official contexts.
彼はその役職を辞退した。
He declined the position.
In Japanese culture, direct refusals can be seen as rude. Often, people use vague language or excuses instead of saying 'no' directly. Phrases like ちょっと… (chotto...) or 考えておきます (kangaete okimasu) can imply decline without being blunt.
A: 明日映画に行かない？ B: 明日はちょっと…
A: Want to go to a movie tomorrow? B: Tomorrow is a bit... (implying no).
To become smaller, fewer, or worse; to go down in amount, quality, or health.
To decrease in number or amount. Neutral and widely used.
人口が減少している。
The population is declining.
To decline in quality, standard, or level. Often used for abilities, performance, or economic indicators.
彼の健康状態が低下した。
His health declined.
売上が低下している。
Sales are declining.
To weaken, decline in strength or vitality. Often used for physical or mental faculties.
To drop, fall, decline. Used for test scores, stock prices, or quality. More casual than 低下する.
To go down, decrease. Common for temperature, prices, or rankings.
To change the form of a word to express tense, case, gender, etc. (linguistics).
The general term for inflecting or declining words. Used in linguistics.
ラテン語では名詞を語形変化させる。
In Latin, nouns are declined.
Specifically for verb conjugation, but sometimes used broadly for inflection. More common in Japanese grammar discussions.
日本語の動詞は活用する。
Japanese verbs conjugate (decline).
断る is the general verb for declining. 遠慮する implies holding back out of politeness, often used when you actually want something but refrain. 辞退する is formal and used for official positions or honors.
The noun form 'decline' (as in 'a decline in sales') is often translated as 減少 (genshou) or 低下 (teika), not a single word that covers all senses. Avoid using 辞退 (jitai) for non-refusal contexts.
年をとると体力が衰える。
As you get older, your physical strength declines.
My grades declined.
The temperature declined.