Essential Japanese Phrases for Beginners
Part 16: Ways to Disagree in Japanese
1. That’s a little… : それはちょっと・・・。Sore wa chotto… (Formal and Informal)
#1 is an incomplete sentence. Japanese people often choose not to complete sentences when they need to voice something negative.
2. I’m sorry but (it’s) a little… : すみません、ちょっと。 Sumimasen, chotto… (Formal)
3. I’m sorry but (it’s) a little… : ごめん、ちょっと・・・。Gomen, chotto… (Informal)
4. You think so? / Is it so? : そうですか。Soo desu ka? (Formal)
5. You think so? / Is it so? : そう? Soo? (Informal)
6. I don’t think so : わたしはそうはおもいません。Watashi wa soo wa omoimasen. (Formal)
7. I don’t think so : あたしはそうはおもわない(な)。 Atashi wa soo wa omowanai (na). (Informal)… Used by female
The sentence-final particle な NA added the nuance of you are half talking to yourself and reduces the harsh sound of disagreeing.
8. I don’t think so : ぼくはそうはおもわない(な)。 Boku wa soo wa omowanai (na). (Informal)… Used by male
9. I don’t think so : おれはそうはおもわない(な)。Ore wa soo wa omowanai (na). (Informal)… Used by male. Sounds more informal and masculine than #8.
10. I wonder (if it’s good or bad) : どうですかね。Doo desu ka ne? (Formal)
11. I wonder (if it’s good or bad) : どうかな。 Doo kana? (Informal)
Related Post:
How do you ask “what is your name” in Japanese?
How to Say “My Name Is” in Japanese