How to say "No, thank you" in Japanese
"No, thank you" in Japanese is いいえ、けっこうです (iie, kekkō desu). In everyday situations, 大丈夫です (daijōbu desu) is a softer way to decline.
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Ways to say "No, thank you" in Japanese
| Japanese | When to use it |
|---|---|
| いいえ、けっこうですいいえけっこうです · iie, kekkō desu | No, thank you (firm, polite). |
| 大丈夫ですだいじょうぶです · daijōbu desu | No thanks, I'm fine (soft). |
| 遠慮しておきますえんりょしておきます · enryo shite okimasu | I'll pass (polite). |
How to use it
けっこうです can sound firm, so add ありがとうございます to soften it.
To politely decline an invitation, say 今回は遠慮しておきます (I'll pass this time).
Example sentences
- いいえ、けっこうです。ありがとうございます。Iie, kekkō desu. Arigatō gozaimasu.No, thank you.
- 袋は大丈夫です。Fukuro wa daijōbu desu.No bag, thanks.
- 今回は遠慮しておきます。Konkai wa enryo shite okimasu.I'll pass this time.
- お代わりはいかがですか。いえ、大丈夫です。O-kawari wa ikaga desu ka. Ie, daijōbu desu.Would you like another? No, I'm fine.
- お気持ちだけいただきます。O-kimochi dake itadakimasu.Thank you, but I can't accept.
- ポイントカードはお持ちですか。いいえ、けっこうです。Pointo kādo wa o-mochi desu ka. Iie, kekkō desu.Do you have a point card? No, thanks.
Questions
Is けっこうです yes or no?
It depends on the tone, but いいえ、けっこうです means "No, thank you." Adding 大丈夫です or ありがとうございます makes it softer.
What does お気持ちだけいただきます mean?
It means "I'll accept just your kind thought," a polite way to decline a gift or favor.
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