Lesson 7: Turn down / Apologize

Turn down / Apologize

Situation: Mr. Smith has to turn down Ms. Mori's invitation.

森さん: 今日一緒に食事をしませんか。

Mori> kyou issho ni shokuji wo shimasen ka.

スミス: 残念ですが今日はちょっと、、、

Smith: Zannen desuga, kyou wa chotto...

Mori: Would you like to eat something with me today?

Smih: I´m sorry, but today is a little...

Description

残念ですが

means "I´m sorry, but..." and lead into to a apology.

ちょっと chotto

In the case you don't want to state, why you turn someones invitation down, you can use this one.

Situation: Mr. Smith apologizes to Ms. Mori.

スミス: (どうも)すみません。

Smith: (doumo) sumimasen.

森: いいえ。

Mori: iie

Smith: I'm (really) sorry.

Mori: It's okay.

Description

どうもすみません

A very formal way to apologize. Without the "doumo" it becomes a little less formal.

いいえ

normally means just no, but with intonation on the first "i" it becomes more of a "it's okay", "Don't mention it" or "it was nothing".