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How to Say ‘No, it's not that far.’ in Japanese

いいえ、そんなに遠くないですよ。

iie sonna ni tooku nai desu yo

[iie sonna nee TOH-koo nai dess yoh]

💬 Usage Tip: The よ at the end adds a reassuring "don't worry" tone, as if telling you something you might not know.

Phrase Breakdown

いいえ、

iie

No,

A polite 'no'. Stretch the first vowel: 'ii-e'. Pause at the comma.

Example

いいえ、違います。

No, that's wrong.

Words in this phrase

いいえ

iie

[iie]

no

A negative response to deny or disagree.

Example

いいえ、持っていません。

No, I don't have it.

そんなに

sonna ni

not that much

This softens the negative that follows. Say 'son-na-ni'.

Example

そんなに難しくないです。

It's not that difficult.

Words in this phrase

そんな

sonna

[sonna]

that kind of; that much

Refers to a degree or manner, often meaning 'that much' in teasing or playful comments.

Example

そんなに見つめられると、照れます。

If you stare at me that much, I’ll get shy.

に

ni

[nee]

(adverb-forming particle)

Turns そんな into an adverb meaning 'that much'.

Example

そんなに高くないです。

It's not that expensive.

遠くないですよ。

tooku nai desu yo

it's not far

This is the negative of 遠い (far), with the friendly ending よ. Say 'too-ku-nai des-yo'.

Example

ここから遠くないですよ。

It's not far from here.

Words in this phrase

遠く

tooku

[TOH-koo]

far (stem form)

The -ku form of 遠い, used before ない to negate.

Example

駅は遠くないです。

The station isn't far.

ない

nai

[nai]

not

This negative part shows not doing the action.

Example

きにしないで、とつたえます。

I tell someone, “Don’t worry about it.”

です

desu

[dess]

is; polite copula

Polite form of 'to be' used in many basic sentences.

Example

こちらで大丈夫です。

This is fine.

よ

yo

[yoh]

you know; reassurance

Adds friendly emphasis or reassurance to what the speaker says.

Example

大丈夫ですよ。

It’s okay, you know.

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