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How to Say ‘But honestly, this amount is a bit...’ in Japanese

でも、正直この金額はちょっと…

de mo shoujiki kono kingaku wa chotto

[deh moh show-jee-kee koh-noh kingaku wah choht-toh]

🇯🇵 In Japan: Trailing off with ちょっと… (chotto) is the Japanese way to object without saying "too much" outright. The listener fills in the complaint, which keeps the exchange polite.

Phrase Breakdown

でも、正直

de mo shoujiki

but, honestly

Pronounced 'demo, shoujiki'. Hold the long 'shou'. Pause slightly after 'demo'.

Example

でも、正直疲れました。

But honestly, I'm tired.

Words in this phrase

で

[deh]

but (first part of でも)

With も forms でも, 'but; however'.

Example

でも、高いです。

But it's expensive.

も

[moh]

but (second part of でも)

Completes the conjunction でも.

Example

でも、行きます。

But I'll go.

正直

shoujiki

[show-jee-kee]

honest; frank; straightforward

Describes speaking truthfully, sometimes bluntly. Great for relationship talks: 正直に言うと…, 正直な気持ち.

Example

正直に言うと、まだ少し不安。

To be honest, I’m still a little anxious.

この金額は

kono kingaku wa

this amount

Pronounced 'kono kingaku wa'. 'Kingaku' means a sum of money. は is read 'wa'.

Example

この金額は高すぎます。

This amount is too high.

Words in this phrase

この

kono

[koh-noh]

this (modifies a noun)

この points to something close to the speaker and must be followed by a noun (e.g., このクラブ = this club).

Example

このクラブの音楽、気持ちいいね。

The music at this club feels great, doesn’t it?

金額

kingaku

[kingaku]

amount; total amount; fee

Refers to the amount of money to be paid.

Example

金額を確認してください。

Please check the amount.

は

[wah]

topic marker

は marks the topic of the sentence.

Example

空席はありますか。

Are there any seats available?

ちょっと…

chotto

is a bit... (much)

Pronounced 'chotto', with a short pause at the small っ. Trailing off politely signals disagreement.

Example

明日はちょっと…

Tomorrow is a bit... (difficult).

Words in this phrase

ちょっと

chotto

[choht-toh]

a little; kind of

Often used to soften what you say, like 'a little' or 'kind of.'

Example

今日はちょっと悲しいです。

I'm a little sad today.

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