Japanese word

断る

Pronunciation

Romajikotowaru

Meaning

  • verbdecline, turn down

Example

その誘いは断ります。so no saso i wa kotowa ri ma su

I will decline the invitation.

Illustration for 断る (decline)

More examples

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.

Core concept

It sets a boundary by choosing not to take up what another person proposes.

Common phrases

  • 申し出を断るmō shi de o kotowa ru

    decline an offer

  • 頼みを断るtano mi o kotowa ru

    refuse a request

  • きっぱり断るki ppa ri kotowa ru

    refuse firmly

Similar words

拒否するkyohisuru: To refuse a request, offer, or invitation and show that it will not be accepted.
遠慮するenryosuru: To decline an offer or invitation in a way that shows politeness or restraint.

Definition in Japanese

人から持ちかけられたことを受け入れない。hito ka ra mo chi ka ke ra re ta ko to o u ke i re na i

Word origin

In older Japanese, 断る (kotowaru) could mean to explain or notify beforehand; its sense of refusing or declining developed from this earlier use.

Usage tips

  • 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 meanings

  • refuseverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word