利用できません
riyō dekimasen
The English phrase "not available" is translated into Japanese as 利用できません (riyō dekimasen).
利用できません is a common way to say that a service, feature or item cannot be accessed or used at the moment, particularly in digital interfaces and automated systems. Depending on the context, other forms may be more appropriate: 提供できません is a polite way to say something is not available, ご利用いただけません specifically indicates something is not available for use and 取り扱い不可 is used when something is not available for handling or use.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 利用できません is composed of 利用 (riyō, meaning 'use' or 'utilization') and できません (dekimasen, meaning 'cannot do').
Which one should you use?
While 利用できません is a standard way to express unavailability, the noun-based form 利用不可 is frequently used in formal written contexts, such as signs or error messages, to indicate that something is unavailable. For much less formal situations, the words ない or 無い can be used to mean "not" or "there isn't."
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For more formal or specific situations, you might use 提供できません, ご利用いただけません or 取り扱い不可. In contrast, ない and 無い are informal options.
How do you pronounce it?
riyō dekimasen
Did you know?
- If a person is unavailable to talk, saying 利用できません would sound like you are calling them a piece of equipment or a software feature. To say a person is 'not available' to meet or speak, you must use different terms like 都合が悪い (tsugō ga warui).
- The word 利用 'use' is derived from the concept of making a 'profit' or 'benefit' from something. It implies an active, strategic utilization rather than just a passive act of using an object.
- If a physical product is unavailable, Japanese speakers rarely use a general 'not available' phrase and instead use the specific term 品切れ (shinagire) to mean 'out of stock'.
Examples in context
- この施設は現在ご利用いただけません。This facility is currently not available for use.
- ごめん、それは無いみたい。Sorry, it seems like it's not available.
- あの本はないです。That book is not available.
- このクーポンは現在利用できません。Kono kūpon wa genzai riyou dekimasen.This coupon is currently not available.
- 指定されたサービスは利用できません。Shitei sareta sābisu wa riyou dekimasen.The specified service is not available.
- その機能は利用できません。Sono kinou wa riyou dekimasen.That function is not available.
Example conversation
Misaki and Yota are looking at a website on a smartphone.
- 美咲 Misakiこのボタンが押せません。Kono botan ga osemasen.I can't press this button.
- 陽太 Yota画面に「利用できません」と出ていますね。Gamen ni 'riyou dekimasen' to dete imasu ne.It says 'not available' on the screen, doesn't it?
- 美咲 Misakiどうして利用できませんか？Doushite riyou dekimasen ka?Why is it not available?
- 陽太 Yotaメンテナンス中のようです。Mentenansu chuu no you desu.It looks like it's under maintenance.
