How to say "No" in Japanese
The basic word for "No" in Japanese is いいえ (iie):
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いいえ
iie
No
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You will hear the word いいえ (iie) being used to make corrections, or decline help.
いいえ,けっこうです
Ie, kekkō desu.
No thank you / I'm fine
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いいえ、知りません。
いいえ、しりません。
Īe, shirimasen.
No, I don't (know).
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いいえ、話せません。
いいえ、はなせません。
Iie, hanasemasen.
No, I do not speak.
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いいえ、父です。
いいえ、ちち です。
Iie, chichi desu.
No, he's my father.
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いいえ (iie) is commonly used in reply to "thank you", to mean "you're welcome" or "not at all".
いいえ、とんで も ありません。
Īe, tonde mo arimasen.
No, not at all.
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In Japan, it's very common to avoid saying "no" outright as it would be rude to refuse someone. So, you might hear these words instead as a polite way of refusal:
ちょっと
chotto
a little bit
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難しいです
むずかしい です
Muzukashī desu
It's difficult
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結構です
けっこう です
Kekkō desu
No thank you / That's okay
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You might also hear いえいえ (ie ie), literally meaning "no no", as a softer form of saying "no".
いえいえ、すっかり長居してしまいました。
いえいえ、すっかり ながい して しまいました。
Ie ie, sukkari nagai shite shimaimashita.
No no, I've already imposed on your hospitality far too long.
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Here are a few recommended Japanese lessons to try next!
- At a Japanese restaurant? Try ordering in Japanese!
- There's lots of wonderful sights in Japan. Let's talk about sightseeing in Japanese.
- Everyone loves talking about sports in Japanese.
Jā matta!
Sayaka Matsuura: Rocket Japanese
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