8 Ways to Say 'No' When Doing Business With the Japanese
If you are reading this, you probably are based in North America and used to the American work culture and context. At the same time, you might be working for a Japanese company and/or have a fair amount of interaction with Japanese work associates.
What do you do when you want to express a difference in opinion with your Japanese counterparts?
Look out! There are big language and cultural differences between American and Japanese companies. In most cases, Americans are comfortable with stating different or negative opinions. They have no trouble saying, “I don’t think that will work,” or “I think it is a bad idea.”
Japanese tend to be more circumspect, particularly when it comes to customers or people higher in the hierarchy. The Japanese are famously reluctant to say the word "no." In fact, the language's closest equivalent, いいえ iie, is largely limited to expressing modesty and denying compliments. ("Your Japanese is excellent! "Iie it is very bad!")
So how do you say “no” in Japanese? Here’s a list of expressions indicating a negative opinion:
- Ii desu. Kekkō desu. (いいです。結構です。・いいです。けっこうです。) "It's good/excellent." Used when you don't want more beer or food, and generally are happy to keep things as they are. Accompany with teeth sucking and hand waving to be sure to get your point across.
- Chotto kentoshite kara de yoroshii deshooka? (ちょっと検討してからでよろしいでしょうか？・ちょっとけんとうしてからでよろしいでしょうか？) “Would it be all right if we gave an opinion after we studied it a little more?” Used when what you are offering or proposing is not in line with what your counterparts want.
- Chotto muzukashii desu... (ちょっと難しいです…・ちょっとむずかしいです) Literally "it's a little difficult" or “it would be difficult.” But in practice "it's completely impossible." In this case, muzukashii “difficult” actually means it is muri (むり) “impossible.” It's often just abbreviated to sucking in air through teeth, saying "chotto" and looking pained.
- Mōshiwakenai desuga... (申し訳ないですが…・もうしわけないですが…) "This is inexcusable but..." But no. Used by sales clerks and such to tell you that you cannot do or have something.
- Domo umaku ikanai to omoimasu. (どうもうまくいかないと思います。・どうもうまくいかないとおもいます。) “We don’t think it will work out well.” Ominous sign in business meetings. Prepare to knock your head against the wall and redo all those Excel spreadsheets.
- Dame desu./Zettai dame da. (だめです。/ ぜったいだめだ。) "It's no good" or “It is absolutely no good.” Used by equals and superiors to tell you that you cannot do or have something.
- Chigaimasu. (違います。・ちがいます。) "It is different." What your work associates really mean is "you're wrong." The casual form chigau is also often used.
- Sonna bakana! (そんな馬鹿な！・そんなばかな！) “How idiotic!” Use with caution! Only use this phrase with subordinates.
You have just learned how to tactfully say “no” in Japanese. If you are on the receiving end of any of these eight expressions, you now know how to interpret them correctly. Good luck, ganbatte!
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