Translation guide
How to express the act of refusing, rejecting, or declining something in Japanese, with attention to politeness and indirectness.
Politely saying no to an invitation, suggestion, or offer.
A polite and direct way to decline. Often used in formal situations.
申し訳ありませんが、そのお誘いはお断りします。
I'm sorry, but I must decline your invitation.
Literally 'I will refrain.' A common, polite way to decline, implying modesty.
今日は遠慮します。
I'll pass today.
Means 'No thank you' or 'I'm fine.' Can sound blunt if not softened.
Can sound abrupt; use with care.
もう結構です。
No more, thank you.
Japanese often avoids direct refusal. Use vague phrases like 'ちょっと...' (it's a bit...) or '考えておきます' (I'll think about it) to soften the decline.
Saying no to a request, plan, or business proposal.
Standard formal rejection. Can be used in business contexts.
その提案はお断りします。
We decline that proposal.
To refuse or reject. Stronger and more direct than 断る.
彼は要求を拒否した。
He rejected the demand.
General verb for refusing or declining. Can be used in many situations.
Reducing the level of something like sound, brightness, or temperature.
To lower something. Used for volume, temperature, etc.
音量を下げてください。
Please turn down the volume.
To make smaller/quieter. Common for sound.
テレビの音を小さくして。
Turn down the TV volume.
To weaken or turn down intensity. More technical.
Folding or bending something downward.
断る (kotowaru) is the general verb for declining or refusing, suitable for everyday situations. 拒否する (kyohi suru) is stronger and more formal, often used for rejecting demands or in official contexts.
In Japanese culture, direct refusal is often avoided. Using softeners like ちょっと... or 考えておきます is common to maintain harmony. Even 結構です can sound blunt without a polite preface.
誘いを断った。
I turned down the invitation.
エアコンの風量を弱めてください。
Please turn down the air conditioner fan.