20 Ways to Say “YES” & “NO” in Japanese

Known globally for its culture of deep etiquette and politeness, in Japan it is essential to know how to politely say “No” in Japanese.

The following article will help you understand the nuances of the various ways in which one can refuse and say no in Japanese within different settings, including “いいえ- Īe (No)”, the most common and direct way to say “no” in Japanese. This is a crucial skill to learn Japanese and understand that the Japanese greatly value manners, respect, and consideration for those around them.

However, it’s not all doom and gloom, we’ll guide you through the ways in which you can say yes in Japanese too! So the next time you get invited to an event you can say “yes” wholeheartedly.

How to Say No in Japanese

The most common way to say “no” in Japanese is いいえ (Iie). Directly saying “no” in Japanese is not common, therefore the Japanese have several ways to say “no”. However, when the Japanese want to be direct and blunt while doing it, they will use the casual way of saying “no” which is pronounced iya or written as いや in the Japanese characters.

‘No’ in Japanese in Different Contexts

1. Daily Conversation (Friends and Family)

無理(むり)(muri/ muridayo) – Impossible

This would be an example best used in situations where there is no wiggle room in your decline. Saying no in this way is a definitive way to let your friend or family member know that you absolutely cannot entertain their request.

ダメ (dame) – No good

A polite way to say no, this could also be used in reference to your state of being, for example, if a family member or friend asks whether you feel okay, you can simply say that you’re feeling no good. When asked your opinion on a subject or object, it’s also great to use.

出来(でき)ない (dekinai) – Can not

“Dekinai” is best used in when asked to perform tasks by casual friends or family members. This allows you to communicate your lack of availability for whatever project or activity that you’ve been asked to complete.

In a sense, if one thinks about it, these phrases and words can also be considered Japanese adjectives as they are more descriptive than simply saying no. Using these words and phrases are great ways to describe your state of being or the reasoning behind your refusal.

2. Business Situation

難しいですね (muzukashī desu ne) – It’s difficult, isn’t it?

In business environments, it’s important to bring an element of formality to your refusals as you often will be dealing with authority figures and should be rather respectful in doing so. Using “muzukashī desu ne” allows the person making the request, your boss, for example, to understand that what they’re asking for may be too complex a task and therefore you’d be unable to complete it.

努力してみます (doryoku shite mimasu) – I will make an effort to see it

This could be considered a non-committal way of refusing a task and tends to lean in between saying yes or no as all that is being promised is that the request will be considered and viewed but that no actual promise to complete the task is being made.

検討します(kentō shimasu) – I will consider it

Similar to the example given above, this is another polite, non-committal way to refuse a request made by a professional superior or perhaps even one’s colleague. It indicates that you respect them enough to give the request some thought and not flat out refuse but keeps you in a place of ambiguity so that should you be unable to fulfill the request you encounter no problems.

These phrases are great ways to help you navigate the Japanese workspace. Steeped in etiquette and courtesy, they help you remain polite without compromising yourself and while giving you room to maneuver should you be able or unable to fulfill any requests made of you. To find out how to better use some of these Japanese adjectives, head over to our linked article.

3. Indirectly Saying ‘No’ in Japanese

恐おそれ入いりますが (osore irimasu ga) – I’m afraid

According to Japanese translator, an indirect way of saying no, using “osore irimasu ga” pre-empts your refusal and lets the asker know that due to circumstances you won’t be able to fulfill their request. This is a kinder, more gentle way to say no which can sometimes sound harsh.

微妙(びみょう) (bimiyoe)- Delicate

Although it literally means delicate this word is actually great for use in delicate situations in life. Perhaps it’s a sensitive situation and you wish that you could help the person asking but are just unable to due to your own commitments. This is a great way to navigate those situations with compassion.

忙(いそが)しい (isogashii) – Too Busy

Again, instead of simply giving a harsh no, using “isogashi” lets the asking party know that not only are you unable to fulfill their request but also lets them know why with one word, you’re simply too busy at that time.

結構(けっこう)です (kekkoedesu) – No thank you

This is usually best used when being offered an item or perhaps plans for an event and is a polite way of declining without being rude or harsh.

These phrases are great ways to decline an invitation or to let someone know that you will be unable to help them without hurting their feelings. These phrases are great to have in your back pocket to allow you to avoid making a certain commitment out of a feeling of obligation.

4. Showing Uncertainty

…かもしれません (…kamo shiremasen) – Maybe

Sometimes you’re unsure whether you will be able to fulfill a request someone has made of you, whether it’s a friend asking to go for a dinner date on a certain day or a co-worker asking for your help with a proposal. Perhaps you need some time to figure out your schedule, in times like this a phrase like “kamo shiremasen” comes in handy.

うーん (uun, “hmm“)

This can be seen as a way to stall when being asked something. It’s often used in casual conversation when needing time to gather an appropriate response and can signal to the person making the request that you’re unsure whether you actually will be able to fulfill the request or not.

臨機応変 [りんきおうへん] に対応 [たいおう] する – (rinkiohhen ni taio suru) – Depends

This expresses to the person or group making the request that you are currently uncertain on whether you’ll be able to fulfill the request as your yes or no is dependent on circumstances that may change in the near future.

ちょっと(chotto) – A little/ Little

This is one of the most common ways to express uncertainty in Japanese and has several different meanings depending on the Japanese words it is paired with. For this example, we’ll focus on the aspect of refusal. When it comes to refusal “chotto” is often paired with a negative verb in order to express that doing said verb would be difficult or impossible. It indicates doubt about whether you’ll be able to fulfill the request and can act as a softener should you need to decline the request. You could think of it as adding “I’m afraid” to the beginning of a sentence in English.

These phrases and words will help you to effectively communicate the next time you need some time or wiggle room when it comes to making a decision. They’ll help you convey that perhaps at the time of being asked you may not be able to say yes, however, circumstances may change and allow you to eventually say yes.

Japanese Culture of Saying ‘No’

The Japanese sincerely value etiquette and politeness and so they generally try not to use the word no directly as it can be perceived as quite harsh and rude. Due to this, they’ve developed quite the vocabulary to help navigate situations where they may just need to refuse an offer, task, or simply say no. This was developed to help spare the feelings of those they were speaking to as consideration for those around them is one of the top characteristics of Japanese culture.


However, even in saying this, it should be understood that this doesn’t mean that they never use the word directly. When absolutely necessary the Japanese will use the word no but if it can be avoided or softened to avoid hurting the feelings of those around them they will.

Body Language in Japanese Culture 

As we’ve become acquainted, the Japanese do not only communicate linguistically but have integrated physical gestures and postures into their culture and language to help them communicate more effectively. This can be seen through the use of an X gesture being formed with the hands to indicate a strong “no” or refusal when having a request made, as well as the gesture of waving their hands in front of their face.


Bowing is also used as a form of respectful greeting instead of the accepted western greeting of a handshake. What’s also interesting to note is that specific degrees of bowing are used for specific relationships.

How to Say Yes in Japanese

When being asked to complete tasks or attend social engagements it’s just as important to know how to say yes and accept these invitations as it is to know how to decline them and believe it or not there is more than the usual “はい” (hai)” that can be used to express your acquiescence and show your enthusiasm.

1. Formal Ways to Say Yes in Japanese

大丈夫です (daijobu desu) – It’s okay

A formal way of saying yes, using “daijobu desu” lets the person asking know that not only are you willing to do it but that it also will be no effort for you to perform said task.

そうです(ね) (sou Desu (ne) – That’s right / I see

This is used to make it clear that you either understand any set of instructions given by a superior or that you understand a conversational point being discussed.

了解です(ryoukai Desu) –Confirmed/ to give consent

As stated this phrase is used to help confirm that you’re agreeing to fulfill the request being made of you or to indicate that you consent to complete whatever it is being asked of you.

わかりました (wakarimashita) – I understand

Best used in an office setting, this is a great way to let a superior know that their request has been received and will be fulfilled within in the allotted time frame.

かしこまりました (kashikomarimashita) – Understood / Certainly

An even more polite way of saying “I understand”. “kashikomarimashita” could be used when dealing with authority figures or by those working in client-facing positions to express their understanding of a request and communicate that it will be fulfilled.

2. Informal Ways to Say Yes in Japanese

はい (Hai) -Yes / Correct / Affirmative

This word is interchangeable with the English word “yes” and can be used to show a positive agreement in a situation when being asked a question or being asked to complete a task etc.

ええ (Ee) – Yes

A less formal of expressing agreement, this can be used to give a short agreement and help a conversation flow smoothly.

そうそう (sō or sōsō) – Yes yes

Used in casual conversation, this expression is not only used to agree but also used show that you understand the subject matter that someone is speaking about.

ああ (aa) – Ah!, yes

Functioning similarly to the above example of “そうそう (sō or sōsō)”, this word also serves to not only agree but to also show understanding of the subject being discussed. It can also be used to express surprise or shock.

うん (Un) – Yes, yeah

This is an extremely casual way to say yes and is best used when talking to a close friend or family member or even someone younger than you.

オッケ (Okkee) – Ok, okay

A simple and casual way to let someone in your close circle know that you agree with a subject they’re speaking about or are interested in a proposal.

A casual conversation with close friends or family tends to be much more relaxed, in this sense, knowing how to agree with them in this relaxed way will help to maintain and deepen your relationships.

 

Start Learning Japanese Today!

Knowing how to say no in Japanese can be a lifesaver. Understanding how to employ their various strategies of refusal will come in handy when it comes to avoiding awkward situations. This makes knowing which phrases and words to use in the appropriate situations even more important, as saying no and sorry in Japanese is a sign of respect and understanding of one’s own actions and how they affect others.

Learning Japanese is a great adventure, not only will it aid you in your travels but it provides a window into a beautiful culture that has much to offer in terms of its human and culinary history. Learn Japanese now with AmazingTalker!

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