Say "No" ： 5 Ways to Refuse in Chinese

Sound like a local 💬

Very often in China, you'll find yourself in situations where you have to say "no".

But how do you do it politely and firmly without offending anyone?

Let's look at 5 ways to refuse in Chinese — with different levels of firmness 🙅‍♀️

5 Ways to Say "No"

              

1. 不行 (Bùxíng)

To say "it won't work", say 不行 (bùxíng), literally "not-work". It's direct but very commonly used.

不行

bùxíng

No way / That won't do

 EXAMPLE 

这不行，我今天真的太忙了。

Zhè bùxíng, wǒ jīntiān zhēnde tài máng le.

That won't work, I'm really too busy today.

You can also say:

• 这不行 (zhè bùxíng) - this won't work

• 那不行 (nà bùxíng) - that won't work

• 这不太行 (zhè bú tài xíng) - this won't really work (softer tone)

2. 不可能 (Bù kěnéng)

For a stronger refusal, say 不可能 (bù kěnéng), literally "not-possible". It shows that something absolutely can't happen.

不可能

bù kěnéng

Impossible / No way

 EXAMPLE 

不可能，我没时间。

Bù kěnéng, wǒ méi shíjiān.

No way, I don't have time.

3. 没办法 (Méi bànfǎ)

Whenever something is out of your control - for reasons that you cannot change - say 没办法 (méi bànfǎ), literally "no-method".

没办法

Méi bànfǎ

There's no way / I can't do anything about it

 EXAMPLE 

没办法，我星期一要上班。

Méi bànfǎ, wǒ xīngqīyī yào shàng bān.

No way, I have to be at work on Monday.

You can also use this phrase in longer sentences:

我真的没办法帮你。

Wǒ zhēnde méi bànfǎ bāng nǐ.

I really can't help you.

(lit. "I-really-not have-way-help-you")

4. 到时候再说吧 (Dào shíhou zài shuō ba)

If you can't say "no" directly — for example,

when speaking to someone senior or when you

want to save face — you can delay your answer with:

到时候再说吧

Dào shíhou zài shuō ba

Let's talk about it later

(lit. "Reach-time-again-talk-let's")

It's a polite way to avoid refusing directly.

 EXAMPLE 

周末去不去？到时候再说吧。

Zhōumò qù bu qù? Dào shíhou zài shuō ba.

Are you going this weekend? Let's see then.

5. 算了 (suànle)

Whenever you want to give up on something

or gently end a conversation, say 算了 (suànle).

算了吧

Suànle ba

Forget it / Never mind

 EXAMPLE 

算了吧，我们改天再去。

Suànle ba, wǒmen gǎitiān zài qù.

Forget it, let's go another day.

Not so difficult, right?

Next time you're in a situation where you need to say "no" — directly or indirectly — try using one of these phrases!

Practice with Teachers

              

Want to learn more about the idea

of "saving face" in Chinese culture

and when it's appropriate to say "no"?

Book a free trial class with That's Mandarin 👇

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