What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally breaks down to 'Japanese (nihongo) [subject marker] (ga) fluency (ryūchō) is not (dewa arimasen)'.
Which one should you use?
While 日本語が流暢ではありません specifically targets fluency, beginners often use 日本語が上手ではありません (I am not good at Japanese) to express a lack of proficiency. For practical social situations, you might also use 日本語があまりできません, which means "I can't speak much Japanese".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form 日本語が流暢ではありません uses the polite negative copula dewa arimasen, making it suitable for formal or professional settings. You can make it sound slightly more conversational while remaining polite by using 日本語が流暢じゃないです. Other options include the respectful 私は日本語が流暢（りゅうちょう）ではありません, the polite わたしは日本語が得意ではありません (I am not good at Japanese), the relaxed ワタシは日本語がまだペラペラじゃないんだ (I am not yet fluent in Japanese) and the casual 日本語が苦手（にがて）だよ (I am not good at Japanese).
How do you pronounce it?
nihongo ga ryūchō dewa arimasen
Did you know?
- The onomatopoeic word ペラペラ (perapera), used in the casual version of this phrase, mimics the sound of flipping pages or a tongue fluttering rapidly. It is the standard way Japanese speakers describe the 'sound' of a fluent person's speech.
- If a Japanese person tells you 日本語が上手ですね ('Your Japanese is great'), the most culturally natural response is often to disagree. Saying いいえ ('no') or using a phrase like 流暢ではありません is seen as a sign of modesty.
- If you use the word 苦手 (nigate) to describe your Japanese, you are not just saying you are bad at it, but that you feel a sense of psychological discomfort or a dislike toward the language.
Examples in context
- すみません、わたしは日本語が得意ではありませんので、ゆっくり話していただけますか。Excuse me, I am not good at Japanese, so could you please speak slowly?
- 大変申し訳ありませんが、私は日本語が流暢ではありませんので、わかりやすく話していただけますか。I am very sorry, but I am not fluent in Japanese, so could you please speak in a way that is easy to understand?
- ねえ、日本語が苦手だから、ゆっくり話してくれる？Hey, I'm not good at Japanese, so can you speak slowly?
- もう少し勉強しないといけないよ。ワタシは日本語がまだペラペラじゃないんだ。I have to study a little more. I am not yet fluent in Japanese.
Example conversation
Yui asks Daiki about his language skills.
- 結衣 Yui大翔さんは日本語がお上手ですね。Daiki-san wa nihongo ga ojoushu desu ne.Daiki, your Japanese is very good.
- 大翔 Hirotoありがとうございます。でも、日本語が流暢ではありません。Arigatou gozaimasu. Demo, nihongo ga ryuuchou dewa arimasen.Thank you. However, I am not fluent in Japanese.
- 結衣 Yuiそんなことはないですよ。Sonna koto wa nai desu yo.That is not true.
- 大翔 Hirotoもっと練習したいです。Motto renshuu shitai desu.I want to practice more.
