Hi! weather here in NW is much like a spring weather this week in 70’s.  Even warmer than the normal spring.. After having so many rainy days, we all love it! With the weather being this nice, there are so many reasons to go outside and enjoy your day. Some of you might be enjoying, hiking, bike riding, running, and simply walking in the park to really get most needed Vitamin D. However, you can do so much in a day as we all have some sort of responsibilities to take care of first as priority. So, what if you have to say “no” to some of your friends and family when they invite you to do something with them..  There are friendly ways of saying “no” as well as more formal ways of saying “no”.  Do you know all these variations?  Read on..!

 

Casual 

Sorry, no thank you.

Gomenne. Kekkou desu.

ごめんね。けっこうです。（ごめんね。　結構です。）

 

Sorry about that. Next time!

Gomen. Mata kondo ne!

ごめん。　また　今度ね！　（ごめん。　また　こんどね！）

 

I can’t make it today. Sorry, I already have plans.

Kyouwa damenano. Gomen. mou yoteiga aruno.

今日は　だめなの。　ごめん。もう　予定が　あるの。（きょうは　だめなの。　ごめん。　もう　よていが　あるの。）

 

 

 

Formal

I am really sorry. Next time, I will try to make it.

Hontou ni gomen nasai. Kondo wa ikeru youni shimasu.

本当にごめんなさい。今度は、行けるように　します。（ほんとうに　ごめんなさい。こんどは、いけるように　します。）

 

I am so sorry. I am too busy.

Moushiwake arimasen. Isogashi sugite.

申し訳　ありません。　忙しすぎて。（もうしわけ　ありません。　いそがしすぎて。）

 

This time, please let me postpone.

Kon kaiwa miokurasete kudasai.

今回は、見送らせて　ください。（こんかいは、みおくらせて　ください。）

 

I have to refrain myself this time.

Konkai wa enryo sasete itadakimasu.

今回は、遠慮させて　いただきます。（こんかいは、えんりょ　させて　いただきます。）

 

It all depends on your situation, either you are talking to your close friend or someone you just met, or your boss at work. There are many ways of saying “no” in Japanese just like in English. The last two are probably the most formal ways of saying “no” and that you can use in business conversation as well.