Ways of Saying No in Japanese Conversation

Ways of saying no in Japanese conversation

1. いいえ – iie

How to say no in Japanese: iie
“いいえ” is the word for expressing a negative answer in Japanese. It is usually used when answering a yes/no question.

Example:
A: あなたは今日忙しいですか？
(Anata wa kyou isogashii desu ka?)
(Are you busy today?)

B: いいえ、私は今日は暇です。
(Iie, watashi wa kyou wa hima desu.)
(No, I'm free today.)

In this example, the question asks whether B is busy, and B answers with “いいえ” to show that they are not busy today.

However, when using Japanese to answer questions in everyday situations, you need to know not only the word “いいえ” but also suitable phrases and vocabulary to reply naturally and fluently.

2. ううん

“ううん” (uun) is a word expressing negation in Japanese, similar to “いいえ” (iie) or “いや” (iya).
However, “ううん” is usually used in everyday situations, in conversations with friends, colleagues or family.

Example:
A: このレストランはおいしいですか？
(Kono resutoran wa oishii desu ka?)
(Is this restaurant good?)

B: ううん、あまりおいしくないです。
(Uun, amari oishikunai desu.)
(No, not really.)

In this example, A asks B whether the restaurant is good and B replies with “ううん” to express negation.

However, “ううん” can carry various meanings, such as objection, disagreement or surprise.

Example:
A: 今日は雨が降っていますね。
(Kyou wa ame ga futteimasu ne.)
(It's raining today, isn't it?)

B: ううん、そうじゃないよ。
(Uun, sou janai yo.)
(No, it isn't.)

In this example, B uses “ううん” to object, saying that what A said is not correct.

Therefore, to use “ううん” correctly, you need to understand the context and the relationships in the specific situation.

3. 違う

“違う” (chigau) is a word expressing objection, disagreement or difference in Japanese. It is often used in everyday conversation with family, friends or colleagues.

Example:
A: これは私の財布です。
(Kore wa watashi no saifu desu.)
(This is my wallet.)

B: 違うよ、あれは私の財布だよ。
(Chigau yo, are wa watashi no saifu da yo.)
(No, that's my wallet.)

In this example, A and B argue about whose item it is. B uses “違う” to express the difference, saying the item does not belong to A but to B.

However, “違う” can also express objection, disagreement or disparagement.

Example:
A: このアイスクリームは美味しいね。
(Kono aisukurimu wa oishii ne.)
(This ice cream is good, isn't it?)

B: 違うよ、まったく不味い。
(Chigau yo, mattaku mazui.)
(No, it's not good at all.)

In this example, B uses “違う” to express objection and disdain, saying the ice cream is not good at all.

Therefore, to use “違う” correctly, you need to understand the context and the relationships in the specific situation.

5. ちょっと

“ちょっと” (chotto) is a Japanese word often used to express a gentle refusal or disagreement with a suggestion. It is used in everyday situations when you want to decline an offer or disagree with someone's opinion.

Example:
A: 明日一緒に映画を見に行こうよ。
(Ashita issho ni eiga wo mi ni ikou yo.)
(Let's go to the cinema together tomorrow.)

B: ちょっと、明日は用事があるから無理だな。
(Chotto, ashita wa youji ga aru kara muri da na.)
(Sorry, I can't; I'm busy tomorrow.)

In this example, B uses “ちょっと” to gently decline A's invitation and explains why they cannot go to the cinema.

However, “ちょっと” can also be used to express objection or dissatisfaction with a situation.

Example:
A: このデザインはどう？
(Kono dezain wa dou?)
(How is this design?)

B: ちょっと、これはちょっと古すぎるんじゃない？
(Chotto, kore wa chotto furusugirun janai?)
(Hmm, isn't this a bit old-fashioned?)

In this example, B uses “ちょっと” to express objection and dissatisfaction with the design.
Therefore, when using “ちょっと”, you need to understand the context and the situation clearly to use the word correctly.

6. ダメ

“ダメ” (dame) is a Japanese word expressing prohibition or that something is not allowed. It is often used to refuse a request or proposal.

Example:
A: この仕事を手伝ってくれませんか。
(Kono shigoto wo tetsudatte kuremasen ka.)
(Can you help me with this work?)

B: ごめん、今忙しいからダメだわ。
(Gomen, ima isogashii kara dame da wa.)
(Sorry, I'm busy so I can't help.)

In this example, B uses “ダメ” to refuse A's request and explains that she is busy.

In addition, “ダメ” is also used to express that something is impossible or not feasible.

Example:
A: 今日は遅くまで仕事があるから、飲み会には行けない。
(Kyou wa osoku made shigoto ga aru kara, nomikai ni wa ikenai.)
(I have to work late so I can't join the party.)

B: そうか、ダメだね。
(Sou ka, dame da ne.)
(Is that so? That's a shame.)

In this example, B uses “ダメ” to express that what A wants is not possible.
Therefore, when using “ダメ”, you need to understand the context and the situation clearly to use the word correctly.

7. いや駄目です。

「いや駄目です」 is a fairly direct way of speaking in Japanese, usually used to refuse a request, proposal or invitation. This phrase can be translated into English as “No, it's not possible” or “Sorry, I can't do that.”

Example:
A: 「今晩、一緒に食事に行かない？」
(Konban, issho ni shokuji ni ikanai?)
“Shall we go out for dinner tonight?”

B: 「いや、駄目です。今夜は別の予定があります。」
(Iya, dame desu. Konya wa betsu no yotei ga arimasu.)
“No, I can't; I already have other plans tonight.”

In this example, B uses the phrase 「いや、駄目です」 to decline A's invitation to dinner. They explain that they already have other plans and cannot join.

Note that “いや駄目です” can come across quite strongly, so if you want to be more polite and gentle, you can use other expressions such as 「すみません、今日は予定があります。」(Sumimasen, kyou wa yotei ga arimasu) – “Sorry, I have plans today.” or 「今度は他の機会にしましょう。」(Kondo wa hoka no kikai ni shimashou) – “Let's do it another time.”

8. そんなことない

「そんなことない」 is a common way in Japanese to deny a wrong opinion or a negative judgement someone makes about you or about some matter. This phrase means “That's not true” or “That's not the case”.

Example:

A: 「私は料理が下手ですか？」
(Watashi wa ryōri ga heta desu ka?)
“I'm a bad cook, aren't I?”

B: 「そんなことないよ。あなたの作った料理はとてもおいしかったよ。」
(Sonna koto nai yo. Anata no tsukutta ryōri wa totemo oishikatta yo.)
“Not at all. Your food is delicious.”

In this example, A expresses a negative view of their own cooking and asks B's opinion. B uses the phrase 「そんなことない」 to deny A's view and reassures them that their food is really delicious.

This phrase can also be used to deny rumours or false information about some matter, or to reassure someone who is worried about something.

9. 絶対反対

「絶対反対です」(zettai hantai desu) in Japanese means “I am totally against it” or “I don't agree at all”.

This phrase is used to express strong opposition, leaving no room for discussion or persuasion. It can be used in many situations, such as when someone proposes an opinion or plan and you want to express your disagreement or opposition.

Example:
私は絶対反対です。これ以上は話し合う必要もありません。
(Watashi wa zettai hantai desu. Kore ijō wa hanashiau hitsuyō mo arimasen.)
“I am totally against it. There is no need to discuss it further.”

彼女がその計画を提案してきたけど、私は絶対反対だと言いました。
(Kanojo ga sono keikaku o teian shite kita kedo, watashi wa zettai hantai da to iimashita.)
“She proposed that plan, but I said I completely disagreed.”

See also:
How to Decline Tactfully in Japanese
Practical Kaiwa for Daily Life: Part 6