Translation guide
How to refuse, decline, or reject something in Japanese, ranging from polite to blunt.
The speaker wants to politely turn down an invitation, offer, or suggestion without offending the other person.
A standard polite way to decline an offer. Can sound a bit formal. Often used with いいえ or いや.
No, thank you. (I'm fine.)
How about some coffee? No, I'm fine, thank you.
Very common casual-polite refusal meaning 'I'm okay' or 'No thanks'. Softens the refusal.
Would you like another drink? I'm fine, thanks.
Literally 'I will refrain'. A polite, humble way to decline, often used when the offer is generous or the situation is formal.
I appreciate the thought, but I'll have to decline.
A formal, direct refusal. Often used in business or when firmly rejecting a proposal.
I'm sorry, but I must decline that proposal.
The speaker needs to decline a request for help, a favor, or an imposition, often with apology or explanation.
Trailing off with 'chotto...' is a classic Japanese soft refusal. It implies difficulty without directly saying no. Often accompanied by a hesitant expression.
Must be used with appropriate intonation and body language; otherwise it may not be understood as a refusal.
Can you help me tomorrow? Uh, it's a bit... (difficult).
A polite way to say 'Sorry, that's difficult (for me)'. Implies inability rather than unwillingness.
Similar to ちょっと… but explicitly refers to the request. Very common.
Very formal apology for being unable to help. Used in business or customer service.
The speaker wants to firmly reject something, express strong disagreement, or refuse categorically.
The standard verb for 'to refuse' or 'to decline'. Can be used in various levels of politeness by changing the ending.
Stronger than 断る, implies rejection or denial, often used for official or categorical refusal.
They rejected the demand.
Very strong, emotional refusal: 'Absolutely not!' / 'No way!' Used in casual, often emotional contexts.
No way! I absolutely refuse!
Means 'to reject' in a very strong, often final sense, like rejecting a person or an idea completely.
Refusing permission, denying entry, or rejecting an application.
Noun meaning refusal, denial, or rejection. Often used in compounds like 入国拒否 (entry refusal).
My visa was denied.
Polite noun for refusal, often seen on signs meaning 'not allowed' or 'declined'.
Formal term for 'disapproval' or 'non-permission', used in official contexts.
In Japanese, directly saying 'no' (いいえ) can sound too blunt. It's more common to use softening phrases like ちょっと…, 大丈夫です, or 結構です, or to give a vague reason.
No, I won't go. (sounds very direct and possibly rude)
断る (kotowaru) is the general verb for refusing offers or requests. 拒否する (kyohi suru) is stronger and often used for official rejection or denial of rights. 拒絶する (kyozetsu suru) is the strongest, implying complete rejection, often of people or ideas.
to decline an invitation
Often, an apology like すみません or ごめんなさい combined with an explanation is an effective refusal. It shows consideration for the other person's feelings.
Sorry, I have a prior engagement...
His refusal to help surprised everyone.
She gave a polite refusal.
I sent a letter of refusal.
Can you attend the meeting next week? Sorry, that's difficult.
Could you lend me some money? That's a bit... (difficult).
We are sorry we cannot meet your request and be of assistance.
I refuse. (firm)
She rejected his love.
No outside food or drinks allowed.
The application was denied.
to reject a demand
to spurn an offer