Exercise 5: Refusing Continuing Requests/Invitations　

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In the sample dialogues, the speakers use various strategies in order to refuse the invitation without hurting their hearer’s feelings or offending them or to refuse and communicate honest feelings.  Let’s review the strategies and the language once again. 

Situation 1

Language used: 再来週の土曜日はちょっと予定が入っちゃってるんですよ。

サークルの忘年会も同じ日なんで。 

Saraisyuuno doyoubiwa chotto yoteiga haicchatterun desuyo. Saakuruno bounenkaimo onaji hi nande.   ‘I have some plans already that day.  I have another year-end party at my club on the same day.’

Strategy 2: Stating positive feelings

Language used: 私も行きたいんですけれども  watashimo ikitain desu keredomo ‘I want to go too’

Strategy 3: Promising future acceptance

Language used: 新年会は絶対行きますから。  Shinnenkaiwa zettai ikimasu kara.  ‘I’ll come to the new year’s party, for sure.’

Strategy 4: Apologizing/stating regret (second sample dialogue)

Notice that this speaker apologizes three times!

Language used: あの、ちょっと大学のサークルに入ってまして、

そのサークルの忘年会も同じ日なんですよ、申し訳ないんですけど。 

Ano, chotto daigakuno saakuruni haitte imashite, sono saakuruno bounenkaimo onaji hi handesuyo, moushiwake naindesukedo.  ‘Well, I belong to a club at the university and I have another year-end party at the club on the same day, I’m afraid.’

ああ、だいぶ前に約束しちゃったもんで、すみません。  Aa, daibu maeni yakusoku shichattamonde, sumimasen.  ‘Well, I’m sorry but I made the commitment quite some time ago.’

はい、すみません、どうも。  Hai, sumimasen, doumo.  ‘No, I’m really sorry.’

Situation 2

Strategy 1: Providing reasons for the refusal

Language used: あれ、でも、ディスカッションベースのクラスだからさ、

役に立たないと思うよ、ノート見たって。  Are, demo, disukasshon beesuno kurasu dakarasa, yakuni tatanaiyo nouto mitatte.  ‘But it’s a discussion-based class, so I don’t think looking at notes helps.’

いつも私に借りてばっかりじゃない？  Itsumo watahini karate bakkarijanai?   ‘You always borrow my notes.’

うん、ちょっとあんたね、英語下手なんだからさ、そう、

クラスに出てちょっと勉強したほうがいいんじゃないの？  Un, chotto antane, eigo hetananda karasa, sou, kurasuni dete chotto benkyou shitahouga iinja naino?  ‘No.  And  you are not that great at English, so why don’t you come to class to study a bit?’

Strategy 2: Making the refusal statement  (Notice how direct the refusal expression can be between close friends!)

Language used: だめ。  Dame.  ‘No.’ 

うん、だめだめ。Un, dame dame.  ‘No, no, no, no.

Strategy 3: Offering an alternative

Language used: うん、ちょっとあんたね、英語下手なんだからさ、そう、

クラスに出てちょっと勉強したほうがいいんじゃないの？  Un, chotto antane, eigo hetananda karasa, sou, kurasuni dete chotto benkyou shitahouga iinja naino?  ‘No.  And  you are not that great at English, so why don’t you come to class to study a bit?’

クラス来なさいよ。  Kurasu kinasaiyo.  Come to class.’

Strategy 4: Apologizing/stating regret (fourth sample dialogue)

Language used: ごめんね。  Gomenne.   ‘I’m sorry.’

Go on to Exercise 6

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