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How to Say ‘There isn't / I'm sorry’ in Japanese

ありません

ありません

💬 Usage Tip: Softens the negative response.

🇯🇵 In Japan: Maintaining politeness helps avoid offense.

Word-by-Word Breakdown

ありあり

[ari]

To not exist

Used to indicate the non-existence of something or absence of a situation.

Example

もう時間がありません。

There is no more time.

ませませ

[mase]

Negative verb ending

A negative auxiliary verb used to indicate negation.

Example

今日は雨が降りません。

It will not rain today.

[n]

Negative verb ending

The ending used to make the verb negative in a sentence.

Example

私は行きません。

I am not going.

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