A polite refusal can acknowledge the invitation and communicate clearly that you cannot attend.

The idea

Thank the person for inviting you, then say you cannot attend or briefly explain a conflict. ちょっと can soften a difficulty, and 今回は参加できません makes the refusal clear. Offer another occasion only if you mean it.

Patterns to compare
PurposePhrase
お礼れい誘さそってくれてありがとうございます
断ことわる今回こんかいは参加さんかできません
また会あいたいまた今度こんど誘さそってください

Examples

  • 誘さそってくれて、ありがとうございます。Thank you for inviting me.
  • すみません、その日ひは予定よていがあります。Sorry, I have plans that day.
  • 今日きょうはちょっと行いけません。I cannot go today, I’m afraid.
  • すみません、今週こんしゅうは難むずかしいです。Sorry, this week is difficult for me.
  • 残念ざんねんですが、今回こんかいは参加さんかできません。Unfortunately, I cannot take part this time.
  • また今度こんど、ぜひ誘さそってください。Please invite me again another time.

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

Watch out

ちょっと alone can be ambiguous, so add a clear statement if needed. People and situations differ: no single indirect phrase is required, and you need not invent a reason.

Try it yourself

  1. ＿、ありがとうございます。（誘さそってくれて／誘さそいません）

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    誘ってくれて

    誘ってくれて acknowledges the invitation before the thanks.

  2. その日ひは予定よていがあって、行いくことができません。＿。（行いけません／行いきます）

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    行けません

    行けません says you cannot go; 行きます would mean you are going.

  3. また誘さそってほしいです。「また今度こんど、＿。」（誘さそってください／誘さそいません）

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    誘ってください

    誘ってください asks the person to invite you again and fits only if that is what you want.

Use it today

Imagine declining a dinner because you have plans. Thank the inviter, give a brief reason and say you cannot go; suggest another time only if you genuinely want to.