Japanese word

辞退

Pronunciation

Romajijitai

Meaning

  • noundeclining

Example

その申し出は辞退します。so no mō shi de wa ji tai shi ma su

I will decline that offer.

Illustration for 辞退 (declining)

More examples

都合により、委員への就任を辞退いたします。tsu gō ni yo ri i in e no shū nin o ji tai i ta shi ma su

Due to personal circumstances, I respectfully decline the appointment as a committee member.

Core concept

Describes deliberately removing oneself from an opportunity or commitment by refusing it in a polite, formal way.

Common phrases

  • 辞退を申し出るji tai o mō shi de ru

    offer to withdraw

  • 辞退の理由ji tai no ri yū

    reason for declining

  • 辞退を表明するji tai o hyō mei su ru

    announce one's withdrawal

Similar words

断りkotowari: A refusal or statement that an offer or request is not accepted.
遠慮enryo: A polite decision not to accept something, often to avoid imposing or out of modesty.
固辞koji: A firm refusal to accept an offer or position despite being urged.

Definition in Japanese

勧めや申し出を、礼儀正しく断って受けないこと。また、参加や就任を自分から取りやめること。susu me ya mō shi de o rei gi tada shi ku kotowa tte u ke na i ko to ma ta san ka ya shū nin o ji bun ka ra to ri ya me ru ko to

Word origin

辞退 (jitai) is formed from 辞 (ji, "decline") and 退 (tai, "withdraw"), linking refusal with stepping away.

Usage tips

  • 辞退 (jitai) often appears when a person turns down something offered to them, such as a position or prize, rather than simply saying no in casual speech.

Other meanings

  • withdrawalnoun

Opposites

  • 受諾judakuacceptancenoun

Related words

  • 辞退するjitaisurudeclineverb

Word lists with this word