いいえ
īe[iːe̞]
The English phrase 'no to a question' is expressed in Japanese as いいえ (īe).
The word いいえ is a common and straightforward way to say 'no' in Japanese. However, there are several other ways to express negation or refusal depending on the context, such as using 結構です to mean 'I'm fine' or 'no, thank you' when declining an offer or 残念ながら to mean 'unfortunately' when softening the blow of a refusal. For very polite situations involving turning down a request or invitation, you can use 誠に申し訳ありませんが, which means 'I'm very sorry, but…'.
Which one should you use?
While いいえ is the standard dictionary form for 'no', it can sound quite blunt or confrontational in casual conversation compared to more indirect ways of declining. For an informal way to say 'no', you might use 違う, which translates to 'different' or 'wrong' or the emphasized informal version ちがうよ.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
いいえ is a polite and standard way to say 'no', making it suitable for most formal or semi-formal situations. In contrast, 違う and ちがうよ are informal.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is [īe].
When do people say it?
In Japanese culture, using いいえ directly to refuse an offer or a suggestion can sometimes be perceived as too direct. People often use softer phrases to imply a 'no' instead.
Did you know?
- While いいえ means 'no', it is also the standard way to respond to a compliment, functioning like 'not at all' or 'you flatter me'.
- When refusing a request, Japanese speakers often leave the sentence unfinished, such as saying ちょっと… ('a bit…'), letting the listener fill in the 'no'.
- The word いいえ evolved from the older form 否 (ina), which was a more direct way of expressing negation in ancient Japanese.
Examples in context
- 申し訳ありませんが、明日の会議に参加できません。I'm sorry, but I can't attend tomorrow's meeting.
- 理解しました。結構です。I understand. That's fine.
- 今日はごめんなさい、他の予定が入っているんだ。I'm sorry, I have other plans today.
- いいえ、違います。Iie, chigaimasu.No, that is wrong.
- いいえ、結構です。Iie, kekkou desu.No, thank you.
- いいえ、まだ食べていません。Iie, mada tabete imasen.No, I haven't eaten yet.
Example conversation
Yota asks Yui if she wants more coffee.
- 陽太 Yota結衣さん、コーヒーのおかわりはいかがですか？Yui-san, koohii no okawari wa ikaga desu ka?Yui, would you like some more coffee?
- 結衣 Yuiいいえ、もう十分です。Iie, mou juubun desu.No, I have had enough.
- 陽太 Yotaわかりました。では、お茶にしますか？Wakarimashita. Dewa, ocha ni shimasu ka?I understand. Then, would you like some tea?
- 結衣 Yuiはい、お願いします。Hai, onegaishimasu.Yes, please.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry いいえ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries いいえ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
