English–Japanese
“decline” in Japanese
How to say “decline” in Japanese
“Decline” in Japanese is 断る (kotowaru). 断る can also mean “turn down”.
It sets a boundary by choosing not to take up what another person proposes.
Example sentences with 断る
友だちのお願いを断ります。tomo da chi no o nega i o kotowa ri ma su
I turn down my friend's request.
無理な頼みは、理由を説明して断ります。mu ri na tano mi wa ri yū o setsu mei shi te kotowa ri ma su
I explain the reason and decline unreasonable requests.
Tips for using 断る
- A speaker can soften 断る (kotowaru) by saying すみません (sumimasen) before it, a common way to decline without sounding abrupt.
Other Japanese words for “decline”
最近、この町では人口が減少しています。sai kin ko no machi de wa jin kō ga gen shō shi te i ma su
Recently, the population in this town has been declining.
年を取ると、体力が衰えます。toshi o to ru to tai ryoku ga otoro e ma su
As people get older, their physical strength declines.
株価の下落が続いています。kabu ka no ge raku ga tsuzu i te i ma su
The decline in stock prices is continuing.
その会社は競争に負けて没落しました。so no gai sha wa kyō sō ni ma ke te botsu raku shi ma shi ta
The company fell into decline after losing the competition.
夕方になると、気温の下がりが早いです。yū gata ni na ru to ki on no sa ga ri ga haya i de su
In the evening, the temperature drops quickly.