いいえ
iie
No/You're welcome
Phrase in 30 Seconds
The standard Japanese word for 'no' that doubles as a humble 'you're welcome' in polite conversation.
- Means: A clear but polite 'no' or 'not at all'.
- Used in: Answering questions negatively or deflecting compliments/thanks.
- Don't confuse: Avoid using it with close friends; it sounds too stiff.
Explanation at your level:
Signification
Can mean 'no' or be a polite response to 'thank you'.
Contexte culturel
The 'Humble No' is essential. Accepting praise directly can be seen as lacking 'Enryo' (restraint). Even if you are proud of your skills, 'iie' is the social script you must follow. In business, a direct 'iie' is often replaced by 'shoushou kento itashimasu' (we will consider it a bit) to avoid a flat rejection that might hurt the relationship. In Kyoto, politeness is even more indirect. An 'iie' might be hidden inside a compliment or a question about something else entirely. This is known as 'Kyoto-ben' nuance. Younger generations are using 'iie' less in favor of 'iya' or even English-inspired 'no' in very casual settings, but 'iie' remains the required form for all adult/professional interactions.
The Hand Wave
When saying 'iie' to a compliment, gently wave your hand in front of your face. This is the universal Japanese gesture for 'No, not at all'.
Don't be too blunt
Never just say 'iie' and walk away. Always add 'arigatou gozaimasu' or 'chigaimasu' to keep the conversation flowing.
Signification
Can mean 'no' or be a polite response to 'thank you'.
The Hand Wave
When saying 'iie' to a compliment, gently wave your hand in front of your face. This is the universal Japanese gesture for 'No, not at all'.
Don't be too blunt
Never just say 'iie' and walk away. Always add 'arigatou gozaimasu' or 'chigaimasu' to keep the conversation flowing.
Agreeing with Negatives
Remember: If someone asks 'You don't like this?', and you don't like it, say 'Hai' (Yes, you are right, I don't like it). Saying 'Iie' means 'No, you are wrong, I DO like it'.
The Double Iie
Saying 'iie, iie' is almost always more natural than a single 'iie' when responding to kindness or praise.
Teste-toi
Choose the most natural response to: '日本語がお上手ですね！' (Your Japanese is good!)
A: はい、そうです。 B: いいえ、まだまだです。 C: いいえ、{嫌|きら}いです。 D: はい、上手です。
In Japanese culture, it is most polite to modestly decline a compliment using 'iie' and 'mada mada' (not yet).
Fill in the blank to decline a refill of water at a restaurant.
「お{水|みず}、いかがですか？」 「（ ）、{結構|けっこう}です。」
'Iie, kekkou desu' is the standard polite way to say 'No, thank you'.
Match the phrase to the relationship.
1. いいえ (Polite) 2. ううん (Casual) 3. いや (Informal/Masculine)
Register is key in Japanese. 'Iie' is for superiors/strangers, 'uun' for close friends, and 'iya' for casual/family settings.
Complete the dialogue between two colleagues.
A: 昨日はありがとうございました。 B: （ ）、どういたしまして。
'Iie, douitashimashite' is the complete phrase for 'No, you're welcome'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Iie vs. Uun
Situations for Iie
At Shops
- • Declining a bag
- • Declining a receipt
Socially
- • Compliments
- • Thank yous
Facts
- • Wrong name
- • Wrong job
Questions fréquentes
14 questionsNo, it is the standard polite form. However, it can be blunt if used without a follow-up or if used with close friends.
'Iie' is formal/polite (use with teachers/strangers). 'Uun' is casual (use with friends/family).
Yes! 'いいえ、どういたしまして' is the full phrase, but often just 'いいえ、いいえ' is enough.
They are agreeing with the negative question. 'Don't you want it?' -> 'Hai (Yes, I don't want it)'.
'Iya' is more informal and often used by men to mean 'No' or 'Well...'.
The most common way is 'いいえ、結構です' (Iie, kekkou desu).
Yes, but it's often better to use more specific phrases like 'いたしかねます' (we cannot do it).
It is almost always written in Hiragana. While kanji like '否' exist, they are not used for the spoken word 'iie'.
Yes, 'ie' is a very common spoken contraction that sounds slightly more natural in quick dialogue.
A gentle side-to-side wave of the hand in front of the nose/face.
It's better to use a softener like 'Sumimasen, chotto...' (Sorry, it's a bit [difficult]).
Yes, but characters often use 'iya' or 'uun' depending on their personality.
'はい' (Hai) meaning 'Yes'.
Make sure the first 'i' is long (like 'eat') and the 'e' is short (like 'end').
Expressions liées
ううん
informalCasual 'no'
結構です
similarI'm fine / No thank you
違います
builds onThat's wrong
どういたしまして
similarYou're welcome
とんでもない
specialized formNot at all / Don't be silly
はい
contrastYes
Où l'utiliser
At a Restaurant
Waiter: お{飲|の}み{物|もの}のお{代|か}わりはいかがですか？ (Would you like a refill?)
You: いいえ、{結構|けっこう}です。ありがとうございます。 (No, I'm fine. Thank you.)
Receiving a Compliment
Friend's Mom: 日本語がお上手ですね！ (Your Japanese is so good!)
You: いいえ、いいえ、まだまだです。 (No, no, I still have a long way to go.)
Correcting Information
Colleague: これは{田中|たなか}さんの{資料|しりょう}ですか？ (Is this Mr. Tanaka's document?)
You: いいえ、それは{鈴木|すずき}さんのです。 (No, that one is Mr. Suzuki's.)
Responding to Thanks
Stranger: あ、ありがとうございます！ (Oh, thank you!)
You: いいえ、どういたしまして。 (No, you're welcome.)
At the Airport
Officer: {危険物|きけんぶつ}はありますか？ (Do you have any dangerous goods?)
You: いいえ、ありません。 (No, I don't.)
Declining a Gift
Host: これ、つまらないものですが... (This is just a small thing, but...)
You: いいえ、そんな、お{気|き}を{使|つか}わないでください。 (No, please, don't go to any trouble.)
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'E.E.' (Double E) as 'End of Entry' — you are closing the door on a question with a 'No'.
Visual Association
Imagine a polite Japanese person crossing their arms in an 'X' shape (the 'No' sign) but bowing at the same time. The 'i-i' sounds like two eyes looking down in modesty.
Rhyme
To say 'no' and be polite, 'iie' is always right.
Story
You are at a Japanese tea ceremony. The host offers you a third bowl of matcha. You want to be polite, so you say 'iie' while gently waving your hand. You aren't being mean; you're just being modest and full.
Word Web
Défi
Try saying 'iie' out loud 5 times, focusing on the long 'i' sound. Then, practice the 'Double Iie' (iie, iie) while imagining someone just called you a genius.
In Other Languages
No / Not at all
English 'no' is used with friends; Japanese 'iie' is usually too formal for friends.
No / De nada
Spanish 'no' doesn't change based on the speaker's social status as much as Japanese negation.
Non / De rien
French speakers are often more comfortable with a direct 'non' than Japanese speakers are with 'iie'.
Nein / Bitte
German 'nein' is much more acceptable in declining invitations than 'iie' is in Japan.
لا (La) / العفو (Al-afw)
Arabic negation often involves more religious invocations (e.g., 'La, shukran') than the secular 'iie'.
不 (Bù) / 哪里 (Nǎlǐ)
Chinese has many specific negative particles (bù, méi) while Japanese relies more on verb endings + 'iie'.
아니요 (Aniyo) / 아니에요 (Anieyo)
The grammar and social usage are almost identical due to shared cultural values of modesty.
Não / De nada
Portuguese 'não' is often repeated (Não, não) for emphasis, similar to the Japanese 'iie, iie'.
Easily Confused
It sounds like 'iie' but actually means 'It's okay' or 'Yes, sure'.
Listen for the 'desu yo' at the end. 'Iie' is a refusal; 'Ii desu yo' is an acceptance.
Learners think it's just 'no no', but it's specifically for modesty.
Use 'iie' for facts, use 'ie ie' for compliments.
FAQ (14)
No, it is the standard polite form. However, it can be blunt if used without a follow-up or if used with close friends.
'Iie' is formal/polite (use with teachers/strangers). 'Uun' is casual (use with friends/family).
Yes! 'いいえ、どういたしまして' is the full phrase, but often just 'いいえ、いいえ' is enough.
They are agreeing with the negative question. 'Don't you want it?' -> 'Hai (Yes, I don't want it)'.
'Iya' is more informal and often used by men to mean 'No' or 'Well...'.
The most common way is 'いいえ、結構です' (Iie, kekkou desu).
Yes, but it's often better to use more specific phrases like 'いたしかねます' (we cannot do it).
It is almost always written in Hiragana. While kanji like '否' exist, they are not used for the spoken word 'iie'.
Yes, 'ie' is a very common spoken contraction that sounds slightly more natural in quick dialogue.
A gentle side-to-side wave of the hand in front of the nose/face.
It's better to use a softener like 'Sumimasen, chotto...' (Sorry, it's a bit [difficult]).
Yes, but characters often use 'iya' or 'uun' depending on their personality.
'はい' (Hai) meaning 'Yes'.
Make sure the first 'i' is long (like 'eat') and the 'e' is short (like 'end').
