Korean word

사양하다

Pronunciation

Romanizationsayanghada

Meaning

  • verbdecline

Example

초대는 고맙지만 저는 사양하겠습니다.cho dae neun ko map jji man cheo neun sa yang ha get sseum ni da

Thank you for the invitation, but I will decline.

Illustration for 사양하다 (decline)

More examples

지금은 몸 상태가 안 좋아서 약속은 사양하겠습니다.chi geu meun mom sang tae ga an cho a seo yak sso geun sa yang ha get sseum ni da

I am not feeling well right now, so I will have to say no to meeting up.

Core concept

A respectful step back from an offered gift, invitation, or help, with a clear decision not to accept it.

Common phrases

  • 초대를 사양하다cho dae reul sa yang ha da

    decline an invitation

  • 도움을 사양하다to u meul sa yang ha da

    decline help

  • 제안을 사양하다che a neul sa yang ha da

    decline a proposal

Similar words

거절하다keojeolhada: Refuse to accept a request, offer, or proposal in a direct way.
고사하다kosahada: Make a polite refusal of an invitation or offer, especially in a formal situation.

Definition in Korean

선물·초대·도움 등을 공손하게 거절하거나 받지 않겠다고 표현할 때 쓰는 동사.seon mul cho dae to um teung eul kong son ha ge keo jeol ha geo na pat jji an ket tta go pyo hyeon hal ttae sseu neun tong sa

Word origin

The verb developed from a Sino-Korean noun meaning polite refusal plus the common Korean verb-forming element hada.

Usage tips

  • In conversation, it is especially useful for gracious refusals in invitations and gift exchanges, while a simpler everyday refusal may sound more natural among close friends.

Opposites

Related words

  • 사양sayangrefusalnoun

Word lists with this word