A refusal does not always contain いいえ. Listen to the whole reply to an invitation or request.

The idea

A hesitant ちょっと…, an unfinished reason such as 手が離せなくて…, or 今回は難しいです can signal that the speaker cannot accept. An offered alternative such as 明日なら大丈夫 makes the available time clear.

Examples

  • すみません、今日きょうはちょっと…。Sorry, today is a little difficult…
  • その日ひは、予定よていがあるんです。I have plans that day.
  • お誘さそいはうれしいんですが、今回こんかいは難むずかしいです。I’m glad you invited me, but this time is difficult.
  • すみません、今いまは手てが離はなせなくて…。Sorry, I can’t leave what I’m doing right now…
  • また今度こんど、お願ねがいします。Perhaps another time, please.
  • 明日あしたなら、大丈夫だいじょうぶです。Tomorrow would work for me.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

These phrases do not always mean no: ちょっと can simply mean “a little”, and また今度 alone is not a firm appointment. Consider the question, tone and any specific alternative; if unsure, ask gently.

Try it yourself

  1. 「今日きょう、行いきませんか。」「すみません、今日きょうはちょっと…。」→（難むずかしい／行いける）

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    難しい

    難しい: in response to today’s invitation, the hesitation suggests that today is difficult.

  2. 「手伝てつだってください。」「今いまは手てが離はなせなくて…。」→（今いまは無理むり／今いまできる）

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    今は無理

    今は無理: the speaker cannot leave their current task, so they cannot help now.

  3. 「今日きょうは難むずかしいですが、明日あしたなら大丈夫だいじょうぶです。」→（明日あした／今日きょう）

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    明日

    明日: today is difficult, but the speaker explicitly says tomorrow works.

Use it today

Read each reply in context and choose the meaning or time supported by it.