s\u014d desu ka ?)<\/em><\/strong> meaning something similar to ‘ah really?’ alongside an expression of surprise. <\/p>\n\n\n\nHow To (Not) Say No And Politely Refuse in Japanese<\/h2>\n\n\n\n The word for ‘no’ in Japanese is \u3044\u3044\u3048 (iie)<\/strong> or the more familiar \u3044\u3084 (iya)<\/strong>. But to say or hear ‘no’ is generally uncomfortable for the Japanese<\/strong>. A negative response is often reformulated into a negative question where the verb’s negative form is used. <\/p>\n\n\n\nTo politely refuse, you can also say \u7d50\u69cb\u3067\u3059 (kekk\u014d desu<\/em>) <\/strong>which means ‘no thank you,’<\/strong> followed by shaking your hands in front of you in a modest way. The utterance \u3046\u30fc\u3093<\/strong> (uun<\/em>, “hmm<\/strong>“) is a softer way to express a refusal while, softer still, \u3061\u3087\u3063\u3068 (chotto<\/em><\/strong>) literally means ‘a little’ and is often used to refuse something, such as an invitation. The word is said with a kind of suspense and as though the phrase hasn’t been completed, in the understanding that something would be a little difficult to do (understood to mean it would be impossible).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chotto (a little) is a polite way to refuse in Japanese.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nRefusals are often accompanied by one of the most used phrases in Japan: \u3059\u307f\u307e\u305b\u3093 (sumimasen),<\/strong> which means ‘excuse me…’ or ‘sorry.’ The strongest refusal of them all is \u3059\u307f\u307e\u305b\u3093\u3001\u3061\u3087\u3063\u3068\u3067\u304d\u307e\u305b\u3093 (sumimasen, chotto dekimasen<\/em>)<\/strong> which means ‘I really cannot do it at this moment in time’ as well as \u3060\u3081\u3067\u3059 (dame desu) to mean ‘it’s not possible’ or ‘it’s forbidden’ followed by a crossing of the arms with pointed fingers. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dame! It’s forbidden!<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nIn the world of work, various phrases are ingrained with meaning<\/strong> and hark to the codes of politeness in Japanese society. Some indicate that something is delicate \u96e3\u3057\u3044\u3067\u3059\u306d (muzukash\u012b desu ne<\/em>)<\/strong> or complicated, followed by a blank facial expression. Other responses indicate that it is necessary to think about or study the question alongside expressions such as \u8003\u3048\u3066\u304a\u304d\u307e\u3059(kangaete okimasu)<\/em> meaning ‘I will think about it<\/strong>,’ \u691c\u8a0e\u3057\u307e\u3059 (kent\u014d shimasu)<\/em> or \u52aa\u529b\u3057\u3066\u307f\u307e\u3059 (doryoku shite mimasu), the latter of which means ‘I will do my best<\/strong>.’ This can be used with your superiors or perhaps a third person that is not involved in the conversation. In referring to an external element that is outside the current situation, politeness must be adopted to signify that they are independent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nA refusal can be accompanied by physical gestures<\/strong>, such as moving the hand from left to right at the same level as the face. As a refusal, the use of the hands can indicate embarrassment, such as putting the hands behind the head, showing an apologetic expression or shaking hands from side to side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some gestures which can indicate a refusal in Japan.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nWhy Do The Japanese Never Say No?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n In reality, the Japanese never truly say no, or instead, they say it without really saying it.<\/strong> The objective is to maintain harmony in a situation by not expressing yourself too directly<\/strong> to avoid offending or upsetting the speaker. As is the case in many Asian countries, direct refusal is regarded as socially unacceptable. <\/p>\n\n\n\nThankfully, the meaning of these codes of communication and the reliance on context<\/strong> is understood by everyone.<\/strong> Conforming to each code paves the way for mutual understanding and social harmony<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nWhen it comes to refusing something, the response might seem ambiguous.<\/strong> The Japanese will often employ stylistic techniques in order to change the subject, avoid the issue completely, shy away from answering or gently close the discussion.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nIn Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n In Japanese, the word ‘yes’ is accompanied by a range of utterances and politeness strategies, but it is considered too direct and socially unacceptable to say when it comes to’ no’. Various euphemisms and polite phrases are utilised to avoid saying ‘no’ directly. Therefore, the response is expressed by words<\/strong> and by considering the context of the conversation.<\/strong> It’s all a question of knowing how to communicate in the culture and gaining the skills to read between the lines. <\/p>\n\n\n\nTranslated by Mark Webster<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"When it comes to saying “yes,” the Japanese language contains a whole range of utterances. Whether or not interactions are…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":168,"featured_media":78636,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"pgc_meta":"","_editorskit_title_hidden":false,"_editorskit_reading_time":5,"_editorskit_is_block_options_detached":false,"_editorskit_block_options_position":"{}","footnotes":""},"categories":[2050],"tags":[1385,2071,2231,1331],"class_list":{"0":"post-77537","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-things-to-know","8":"tag-japanese","9":"tag-japanese-society","10":"tag-living-in-japan","11":"tag-manners"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
The Subtle Ways To Saying Yes and No In the Japanese Language<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n