Saying No Politely

na mersi, alan aslan meyl nadaram.

No thanks, I don't have an appetite right now.

A direct but friendly way to refuse food or drink.

kheyli mamnun az ta'arofetun, amma sarf shode.

Thank you very much for your offer, but I have already eaten.

Literally 'it has been consumed'; a very culturally polite way to decline food.

kheyli delam mikhast biyam, vali vaghe'an nemitunam.

I really wanted to come, but I truly can't.

Common for turning down friends while showing you care.

mote'assefane aslan emkanesh nist ke in bar hamrahetun basham.

Unfortunately, it is not possible for me to join you this time.

Ideal for formal invitations or speaking to older people.

rastesh in ruza tu sherkat saram kheyli shulughe.

To be honest, I'm very busy at the company these days.

Uses the common idiom 'my head is crowded' (saram shulughe) to mean busy.

mote'assefane barname-am baraye in hafte kamelan por shode.

Unfortunately, my schedule for this week is completely full.

A clear, professional way to explain you have no free time.

akhe az ghabl ba yeki dige baraye emshab gharar gozashtam.

Because I've already made plans with someone else for tonight.

Uses the present perfect to show the plan is already set.

baraye in akhar-e hafte az ghabl ye barname-ye dige rikhtam.

I've already made another plan for this weekend.

Used when you need a solid, non-specific excuse.

bebakhshid ke natunestam zudtar behetun khabar bedam.

Sorry that I couldn't let you know sooner.

A good apology if you are cancelling or replying late.

vaghe'an sharmande-am ke nemitunam tu jashn-e tavallodet sherkat konam.

I am truly sorry that I can't attend your birthday party.

The word 'sharmande-am' (I am ashamed) is a strong, culturally appropriate apology.

kheyli lotf kardi ke baraye mehmuni-ye emshab be yadam budi.

It was very kind of you to think of me for tonight's party.

Softens the refusal by validating the person's kindness.

mamnun az davatetun, az shenidanesh kheyli khoshhal shodam.

Thank you for your invitation, I was very happy to hear it.

A formal and warm way to receive an invitation you must decline.

mishe age eshkali nadare, ghararemun ro bendazim baraye hafte-ye baad?

Is it possible to push our plans to next week, if you don't mind?

A polite but informal way to reschedule.

age movafegh bashid, mitunim ye ruz-e dige hamo bebinim.

If you agree, we can see each other another day.

Good for both colleagues and acquaintances.

ishalla dafe-ye baad hatman ba ham mirim sinema.

Hopefully next time we will definitely go to the cinema together.

'Ishalla' (God willing) is used constantly in spoken Persian for hopeful future events.

omidvaram dafe-ye baad betunam baraye sham dar khedmatetun basham.

I hope next time I can join you for dinner.

Uses the Ta'arof phrase 'dar khedmatetun basham' (be at your service) meaning 'to be in your company'.