取り消す
torikesu[to̞ɾʲike̞sɨ]
The Japanese verb for to cancel is 取り消す (torikesu). Wiktionary also lists 取り止める (toriyameru) and キャンセルする (kyanseru-suru).
Meaning: invalidate, annul (verb)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 取り消す | torikesu | [to̞ɾʲike̞sɨ] (narrow) |
| 取り止める | toriyameru | |
| キャンセルする | kyanseru-suru | |
| 破棄する | haki suru |
The word cancel translates to several different forms in Japanese depending on what is being invalidated or annulled.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb 取り消す is composed of tori (to take) and kesu (to erase or extinguish), literally meaning 'to take back' or 'to withdraw'.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on the context: 取り消す is used for canceling a decision, a statement or a reservation. 取り止める is used when an event, a project or a planned activity is stopped or called off. キャンセルする is a loanword commonly used in daily life for canceling appointments, orders or hotel bookings. Finally, 破棄する is a specific term used for nullifying a contract, discarding data or destroying documents.
How do you pronounce it?
torikesu
Did you know?
- Japanese has a specific cultural phenomenon called 'cancel culture' which is referred to as キャンセルカルチャー, but it is often discussed using native terms for 'social ostracism' like 村八分 (murahachibu).
- The verb 破棄する (haki suru) is used for canceling a contract, but the kanji used for 'haki' is also the same character used for 'discarding trash', giving the legal term a surprisingly physical connotation of throwing something away.
- When a person cancels an appointment in a very polite way, they might use the humble verb 取り消させていただく (torikesase te itadaku), which frames the cancellation as a favor being granted to the speaker.
Examples in context
- 自分の休みを取り消す必要なんてないよ。You don't have to cancel your vacation.This sentence shows how to use 取り消す to express that someone does not need to cancel their vacation.Tatoeba #9043615 by bunbuku, translation #71904 by CK
- 明日の予約をキャンセルしたいです。I would like to cancel tomorrow's reservation.
- 今週の試合は中止になりました。This week's match has been canceled.
- メンバーシップを取り消したいです。I want to cancel my membership.
- 明日の予定はキャンセルしちゃった。I canceled tomorrow's plan.
- 映画の予約やめちゃった。I canceled my movie reservation.
- プランが中止されたみたい。It looks like the plan got canceled.
- 予約を取り消すことができますか？Yoyaku o torikesu koto ga dekimasu ka?Can I cancel my reservation?
Example conversation
Hiroto and Misaki are discussing a hotel reservation.
- 大翔 Hiroto予約を取り消さなきゃいけないと思う。yoyaku o torikesanakya ikenai to omou.I think we have to cancel the reservation.
- 美咲 Misakiえっ、どうして取り消すの？e, dōshite torikesu no?What? Why are you cancelling it?
- 大翔 Hiroto来週、急に仕事が入ったんだ。raishū, kyū ni shigoto ga haitta nda.Some work suddenly came up for next week.
- 美咲 Misaki残念だけど、仕方ないね。zannen dakedo, shikatanai ne.That's a shame, but it can't be helped.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cancel” translations and entries 取り消す, 取り止める, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
