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.
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.
もう一杯いかがですか？ 大丈夫です。
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.
お気持ちは嬉しいですが、遠慮します。
I appreciate the thought, but I'll have to decline.
A formal, direct refusal. Often used in business or when firmly rejecting a proposal.
申し訳ありませんが、その提案はお断りします。
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.
明日、手伝ってもらえますか？ あ、ちょっと…
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.
来週の会議に出られますか？ すみません、難しいです。
Can you attend the meeting next week? Sorry, that's difficult.
Similar to ちょっと… but explicitly refers to the request. Very common.
お金を貸してくれませんか？ それはちょっと…
Could you lend me some money? That's a bit... (difficult).
Very formal apology for being unable to help. Used in business or customer service.
ご要望に添えず、お役に立てず申し訳ありません。
We are sorry we cannot meet your request and be of assistance.
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.
彼の申し出を断った。
I refused his offer.
断ります。
I refuse. (firm)
Stronger than 断る, implies rejection or denial, often used for official or categorical refusal.
要求を拒否した。
They rejected the demand.
Very strong, emotional refusal: 'Absolutely not!' / 'No way!' Used in casual, often emotional contexts.
絶対に嫌だ！
No way! I absolutely refuse!
Means 'to reject' in a very strong, often final sense, like rejecting a person or an idea completely.
彼女は彼の愛を拒絶した。
She rejected his love.
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).
ビザが拒否された。
My visa was denied.
Polite noun for refusal, often seen on signs meaning 'not allowed' or 'declined'.
飲食物の持ち込みはお断りします。
No outside food or drinks allowed.
Formal term for 'disapproval' or 'non-permission', used in official contexts.
申請は不許可となった。
The application was denied.
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.
いいえ、行きません。
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.
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.
すみません、先約がありまして…
Sorry, I have a prior engagement...
彼が手伝いを断ったので、みんな驚いた。
His refusal to help surprised everyone.
彼女は丁寧に断った。
She gave a polite refusal.
断りの手紙を送った。
I sent a letter of refusal.