A2Persian

Saying No Politely

Use these everyday phrases to decline invitations, provide reasons, and suggest alternative times without causing offense.

Key Phrases

Voice
Declining an invitation · 3 ways to say it

ببخشید، نمی‌تونم بیام.

polite

bebakhshid, nemitunam biam.

Sorry, I can't come.

A standard, polite refusal suitable for colleagues and acquaintances.

نه ممنون، امروز نمی‌تونم.

neutral

na mamnun, emruz nemitunam.

No thanks, I can't today.

شرمنده، وقت ندارم.

casual

sharmande, vaght nadaram.

Sorry, I don't have time.

'Sharmande' literally translates to 'ashamed', but is a very common casual way to say sorry to friends.

Giving a reason · 3 ways to say it

متاسفم، فردا امتحان دارم.

polite

mota'assefam, farda emtehan daram.

I am sorry, I have an exam tomorrow.

خیلی دوست دارم، اما باید کار کنم.

neutral

kheyli dust daram, amma bayad kar konam.

I would really like to, but I have to work.

خسته‌ام، می‌خوام خونه بمونم.

casual

khaste-am, mikham khune bemunam.

I am tired, I want to stay home.

Suggesting another time · 2 ways to say it

شاید یک وقت دیگه.

neutral

shayad ye vaght-e dige.

Maybe another time.

هفته بعد چطوره؟

casual

hafte-ye ba'd chetor-e?

How about next week?

Declining food or drink · 2 ways to say it

میل ندارم، تازه غذا خوردم.

polite

meyl nadaram, taze ghaza khordam.

I don't have an appetite, I just ate.

مرسی، الان چیزی نمی‌خوام.

casual

mersi, alan chizi nemikham.

Thanks, I don't want anything right now.

Practice Dialogue

Inviter
سلام، بعد از کار وقت داری؟ بریم کافه؟
salam, ba'd az kar vaght dari? berim kafe?
Friend
سلام. شرمنده، امروز وقت ندارم.
salam. sharmande, emruz vaght nadaram.
Inviter
مشکلی نیست. فردا چطوره؟
moshkeli nist. farda chetor-e?
Friend
خیلی دوست دارم، اما باید کار کنم.
kheyli dust daram, amma bayad kar konam.
Inviter
باشه، پس شاید یک وقت دیگه.
bashe, pas shayad ye vaght-e dige.
Friend
آره، حتماً. هفته بعد می‌تونیم بریم.
are, hatman. hafte-ye ba'd mitunim berim.

More Greetings & Socializing (A2)

← All Persian survival phrases