いいえ、すみません
iie, sumimasen
The English phrase "no sorry" is expressed in Japanese as いいえ、すみません (iie, sumimasen).
This phrase is a polite way to decline an offer or to answer a question in the negative while apologizing for the refusal. Adding sumimasen to iie serves to soften the refusal, making it sound more polite and less blunt than simply saying iie on its own.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of iie (no) and sumimasen (excuse me/sorry).
Which one should you use?
While the default form is いいえ、すみません, you may often hear the shortened version いえ、すみません in many natural conversations, which maintains the same level of politeness. For different social contexts, you might use other forms: いいえ、申し訳ありません or すみません、お断りさせていただきます are more formal, whereas いや、ごめん or ごめん、遠慮するわ are informal.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase いいえ、すみません is polite. If you need to be more formal, use いいえ、申し訳ありません or すみません、お断りさせていただきます. If you are in an informal setting, you can use いや、ごめん or ごめん、遠慮するわ.
How do you pronounce it?
iie, sumimasen
Did you know?
- In Japan, the word sumimasen is often used to say 'thank you' when someone has gone out of their way to help you. In this context, the 'sorry' part of the phrase expresses your gratitude for the trouble the person took for you.
- A common gesture accompanying iie, sumimasen is a slight wave of the hand in front of the face. This physical signal reinforces the refusal and helps soften the social impact of saying 'no'.
- The formal version of this refusal, moushiwake arimasen, literally translates to 'there is no way to explain my actions'. It conveys that your mistake or refusal is so great that no excuse can justify it.
Examples in context
- 申し訳ありません、今晩は予定がありますので無理ですI'm sorry, but I have plans tonight, so it's impossible.
- いや、ごめん。他の用事があるんだNah, sorry. I have other things to take care of.
- いや、すんません。今日はお弁当持参なんですNah, sorry. I brought my own lunch today.
- いいえ、すみません。結構です。Iie, sumimasen. Kekkou desu.No, sorry. I am fine.
- いいえ、すみません。今は忙しいです。Iie, sumimasen. Ima wa isogashii desu.No, sorry. I am busy right now.
- いいえ、すみません。それは分かりません。Iie, sumimasen. Sore wa wakarimasen.No, sorry. I don't know that.
Example conversation
Ren offers Misaki some tea at the office.
- 蓮 Renお茶を飲みますか？Ocha o nomimasu ka?Would you like some tea?
- 美咲 Misakiいいえ、すみません。大丈夫です。Iie, sumimasen. Daijobu desu.No, sorry. I'm okay.
- 蓮 Renわかりました。お疲れ様です。Wakarimashita. Otsukaresama desu.I understand. Good work today.
- 美咲 Misakiお疲れ様です、蓮さん。Otsukaresama desu, Ren-san.Good work today, Ren.
