Turning down softly
Conversation phrases, Stage 2chunk 50 of 71Plans and invitations
Lets you say no to an invite without bluntness.
- kyou wa chotto...today's not good for me
- ikitai kedo...I'd love to, but...
- kyou wa pasuI'll pass today
- enryo shite okimasuI'll pass, thanks
Mix-ups kyou wa chotto works because it trails off, so don't finish the sentence.
kyou wa chotto...
today's not good for me
Turns down an invitation by trailing off; the unfinished sentence is the polite no, so no long excuse is needed.
Chotto... alone works for any request you'd rather refuse.
gomen, kyou wa chotto... ashita nara ii yo.
Sorry, today's not great... tomorrow works, though.
ごめん、今日はちょっと…明日ならいいよ。
sumimasen, kyou wa chotto...
Sorry, today's a bit difficult...
すみません、今日はちょっと…
Written 今日はちょっと… · きょうはちょっとWho you say it and hear itHeard 10× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles
ikitai kedo...
polite ikitai n desu kedo...
I'd love to, but...
The standard soft refusal: say it and trail off, and the other person understands it's a no.
Leaving the sentence hanging is the polite part; you don't have to spell out the reason.
ikitai kedo, ashita hayai n da yo ne.
I'd love to, but I've got an early start tomorrow.
行きたいけど、明日早いんだよね。
ikitai n desu kedo, sono hi wa chotto...
I'd love to, but that day's a bit...
行きたいんですけど、その日はちょっと…
Written 行きたいけど… · いきたいけど… · 行きたいんですけど…Who you say itHeard 18× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles
kyou wa pasu
I'll pass today
A light, friendly way to skip an outing without a long excuse; fine with friends, too blunt with a boss.
Pasu works for anything you skip: food, a turn in a game, a question you won't answer.
gomen, tsukareteru kara kyou wa pasu.
Sorry, I'm tired, so I'll pass today.
ごめん、疲れてるから今日はパス。
Written 今日はパス · きょうはパスWho you say itHeard 48× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles
enryo shite okimasu
I'll pass, thanks
Polite no to an offer or invitation, softer than kekkou desu.
Casual version: enryo shitoku. Enryo means holding back.
kyou wa enryo shite okimasu. mata sasotte kudasai.
I'll pass today. Please ask me again.
今日は遠慮しておきます。また誘ってください。
Written 遠慮しておきます · えんりょしておきますWho you say itHeard 1× in 3.17 million lines of film and TV subtitles