また今度
mata kondo
The English phrase "maybe next time" can be expressed in Japanese as また今度 (mata kondo).
The phrase また今度 is a soft way to decline an invitation or a suggestion without being explicitly negative. It suggests the possibility of a future opportunity.
What does it mean word for word?
The expression is composed of mata (again) and kondo (this time or next time).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
また今度 is an informal expression best used with friends or peers. For a more polite or formal way to say "maybe next time" (literally "at another opportunity"), you should use またの機会に. In formal or business-related situations, you can also use また今度にしましょう to mean "let's do it again next time," or 次回お願いします as a polite and indirect way to express "next time, please."
How do you pronounce it?
mata kondo
Did you know?
- In Japanese social culture, saying また今度 is often a polite 'social lie' known as tatemae. It frequently functions as a definitive 'no' where the speaker has no intention of rescheduling.
- The word 今度 (kondo) is linguistically tricky because it can mean both 'this time' and 'next time' depending on the context. This ambiguity is why the phrase can be interpreted as 'next time' or 'this time again' in certain sentence structures.
- While また今度 sounds like a promise, a Japanese person who truly intends to meet again will usually follow the phrase with a specific date or time suggestion to avoid ambiguity.
Examples in context
- また今度ね！Mata kondo ne!
- 今日は忙しいので、また今度お願いします。Kyō wa isogashii node, mata kondo onegaishimasu.I am busy today, so maybe next time, please.
- また今度でもいいですか？Mata kondo demo ii desu ka?Is maybe next time okay?
- あ、また今度ね！A, mata kondo ne!Ah, maybe next time!
Example conversation
Ren invites Himari to go to a movie.
- 蓮 Ren陽葵、一緒に映画に行かない？Himari, issho ni eiga ni ikanai?Himari, do you want to go to a movie together?
- 陽葵 Himari誘ってくれてありがとう。でも、また今度ね。Sasotte kurete arigatō. Demo, mata kondo ne.Thanks for asking. But maybe next time.
- 蓮 Renそっか。残念だけど、いいよ。Sokka. Zannen dakedo, ii yo.I see. That's a shame, but it's okay.
- 陽葵 Himariごめんね。また連絡するよ。Gomen ne. Mata renraku suru yo.Sorry. I'll be in touch again.
