Do you know Japanese do not have "NO" in their language?

Question

This is the root cause for such a positive and passionate Japanese society.

Answer 1

haha interesting remarks especially the all caps one,

There are several ways to say "no" but over all culturally it is common to avoid the blunt usage of iie (and it is only spelled iie ...ie means "my house" or "my cabin" ) iie is used to deny something or as a way to say "You're welcome" among friends though only.

normally phrases such as
"shitsurei shimasu kedo......" "i am commiting rudeness but..."
or
"chotto sumimasen kedo..." " excuse me for a bit but......"

are used but those kinds of things do not outright deny something but dont agree completly either.

oh another common word is "iya" meaning "i refuse"
.....important if you like reading certain books...



also, "no" is a particle meaning " of "
for example:

" my book"

would be

"watashi no hon"

Answer 2

Saeko's got the point spot on! Of COURSE there's a word for 'no' - but it's extremely rude to give an outright refusal to a request or an offer!

That does NOT mean that you have to AGREE to everything though! It's more like the time when you're asked to hang out with the nerd you've been avoiding, but rather than cruelly saying "I'd rather DIE than be seen in public with you! Bog off and put a paper bag over your head you moron!" you actually say something like "Oh, rats! I've made arrangements to baby-sit for my aunt's geranium tonight! Normally I'd have LOVED to, but I'm sorry - I'm about to emigrate to the outer Hebrides...!"

Answer 3

I learned in a business writing course that many eastern cultures don't like to say no. They are very polite and like to keep things positive. Even if they know that something is impossible they will say yes to save face and come off polite.

Answer 4

I might be misunderstanding the question, but there is a word for "no" in Japanese. (Look up "iie.")

In general, as with most east Asian cultures, the Japanese hold a strong emphasis on politeness. Compared to other Asian cultures, Japanese people tend to be more accommodating, and therefore try to please as many people as possible without letting anyone down.

Answer 5

THE WORD IN JAPANESE FOR" NO" IS " ie", THE I IS PRONOUNCED LIKE AN E, AND THE E IS PRONOUNCED WITH A SHORT E SOUND... I LIVED IN JAPAN FOR 1 YEAR
AND STUDIED THE LANGUAGE HERE IN THE U.S.... WHERE
DID YOU GET YOUR INFO???

Answer 6

Japanese---- No = ea, like saying each English letter in our alphabet, but together. "e" + "a"

Answer 7

yeah i read the suicide thing too, probably because they cant say no to any thing. "hey kim, wanna go on a killing rampage and then jump into a volcano?" "ummm errr.... damn it.. yes..."

Answer 8

REALLY?
Does that mean they have to say yes to every thing? or they use words like:"later" "may be" "somewhat".... instead of "no"?!

Answer 9

Hmmmm--I just read that they have an extremely high suicide rate!

Answer 10

ya so who cares