Which one should you use?
The use of the auxiliary verb oku implies a decision made for the time being, which can subtly suggest that the refusal is specific to today rather than a permanent rejection of the idea.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
今日はやめておく is a direct way to say you will pass. For a softer way to decline an offer or invitation in a polite setting, you can use 今日はいいです, which means "Today is fine" in the sense of "no thank you". If you need to be formal, you can use 今日は結構です to mean "I am fine for today" or 本日はお断りいたします to mean "I decline today". In informal situations, you can say 今日は無理 to mean "not today" or "it's impossible today" or use 今日はちょっと… to say "today is a bit…" to express that you are unable or unwilling to do something today.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase polite and suitable for use with superiors or acquaintances, you can add masu to the end to say 今日はやめておきます.
How do you pronounce it?
kyō wa yamete oku
Did you know?
- The phrase 今日はちょっと… relies on a cultural concept called 'reading the air'. By trailing off, the speaker avoids the social friction of a direct 'no' while the listener is expected to fill in the blank mentally.
- The word 無理 in the informal phrase 今日は無理 literally translates to 'impossible' or 'unreasonable'. It frames your inability to do something as a physical impossibility rather than a personal refusal.
- Japanese has multiple words for 'today' depending on the level of formality. Using 本日 instead of 今日 transforms a simple 'not today' into a rigid professional statement suitable for official business.
Examples in context
- 申し訳ございませんが、本日はお断りいたします。I apologize, but I must decline today.
- ごめん、今日は無理。Sorry, not today.
- 今日はちょっと…気分が乗らないんだ。Today is a bit… I'm not in the mood.
- 今日はやめておくよ。Kyō wa yamete oku yo.I'll pass for today.
- 飲み会は、今日はやめておく。Nomikai wa, kyō wa yamete oku.As for the drinking party, I'll skip today.
- あ、今日はやめておくね。A, kyō wa yamete oku ne.Ah, I'll pass on today.
Example conversation
Misaki and Hiroto are talking about going out for a meal.
- 美咲 Misaki大翔、一緒にランチに行かない？Hiroto, issho ni ranchi ni ikanai?Hiroto, do you want to go to lunch together?
- 大翔 Hirotoごめん、今日はやめておくよ。Gomen, kyō wa yamete oku yo.Sorry, I'll pass for today.
- 美咲 Misakiそうなんだ。また今度ね。Sō nan da. Mata kondo ne.I see. Maybe next time.
- 大翔 Hirotoうん、また誘ってね。Un, mata sasotte ne.Yeah, invite me again.
