いいえ、違います
iie, chigaimasu
The English phrase "no, it's not" is translated into Japanese as いいえ、違います (iie, chigaimasu).
This phrase is used as a polite way to disagree with a statement or to deny that something is correct.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb part, 違います, literally means "is different" or "is mistaken" rather than acting as a direct negation of the verb "to be".
Which one should you use?
While English speakers often say "no, it is not" to negate a state, Japanese speakers use this phrase to mean "no, it is different" to correct a misconception.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The standard form いいえ、違います is suitable for most standard social interactions. For an informal version, you can use いや、違う, which uses the particle いや instead of いいえ and the dictionary form 違う instead of 違います.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the polite verb form -masu, which makes it appropriate for standard polite speech.
How do you pronounce it?
iie, chigaimasu
Did you know?
- When receiving a compliment, いいえ、違います is frequently used not to correct a fact, but as a ritual of modesty. In this context, it functions more like 'you flatter me' than a literal denial.
- In Japanese, the concept of 'wrong' expressed by 違う often implies a deviation from a path. This mirrors the physical meaning of the word, which can describe two roads diverging.
- In very formal business settings, instead of using いいえ、違います, one might use even more indirect language to avoid the social friction of a direct 'no'. This often involves describing the situation as 'difficult' rather than 'wrong'.
Examples in context
- その本は初版ですか？
いいえ、違います。Is that book a first edition?
No, it's not. - これはあなたの傘ですか？ いいえ、違います。Kore wa anata no kasa desu ka? Iie, chigaimasu.Is this your umbrella? No, it's not.
- 明日は休みですか？ いいえ、違います。Ashita wa yasumi desu ka? Iie, chigaimasu.Is tomorrow a holiday? No, it's not.
Example conversation
Yui asks Yota about his job at a cafe.
- 結衣 Yui陽太さんは銀行員ですか？Youta-san wa ginkouin desu ka?Yota, are you a banker?
- 陽太 Yotaいいえ、違います。Iie, chigaimasu.No, it's not.
- 陽太 Yotaエンジニアです。Enjinia desu.I am an engineer.
- 結衣 Yuiそうなんですね。Sou nan desu ne.I see.
