English–Japanese
“turn down” in Japanese
Japanese
Pronunciation
Romajikotowaru
Example
その誘いは断ります。so no saso i wa kotowa ri ma su
I will decline the invitation.
How to say “turn down” in Japanese
“Turn down” in Japanese is 断る (kotowaru). 断る can also mean “decline”.
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.