English–Japanese

“give me a break” in Japanese

Japanese

Pronunciation

Romajikanben

Example

これ以上は勘弁してください。ko re i jō wa kan ben shi te ku da sa i

Please give me a break.

Illustration for 勘弁 (give me a break)

How to say “give me a break” in Japanese

“Give me a break” in Japanese is 勘弁 (kanben).

Signals that a situation has reached a limit and that the speaker wants the other person to stop or let the matter go.

Full entry for 勘弁: usage tips, similar words and word origin

Example sentences with 勘弁

今回は勘弁してもらえませんか。kon kai wa kan ben shi te mo ra e ma se n ka

Could you let me off this time?

Tips for using 勘弁

  • The phrase 勘弁してください (kanben shite kudasai) is more polite than the blunt 勘弁して (kanben shite), but both can express refusal, exasperation, or a request to be let off.

“give me a break” in other languages