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How to Say ‘I'm sorry, we can't take cards.’ in Japanese

すみません、カードは使えないんです。

sumi mase n kaado wa tsukae nai n desu

[soo-mee mah-seh n kah-doh wah tsoo-kah-eh nai n dess]

🇯🇵 In Japan: Opening with すみません before giving bad news is standard service politeness. It doesn't mean the driver accepts any fault.

Phrase Breakdown

すみません、

sumi mase n

I'm sorry,

A polite apology that softens the bad news that follows. Pause briefly at the comma.

Example

すみません、遅れました。

I'm sorry, I'm late.

Words in this phrase

すみ

sumi

[soo-mee]

excuse me; sorry

A polite attention-getter and light apology. Used to call a pharmacist/staff or to be polite before asking for help.

Example

すみません、薬剤師さん。

Excuse me, pharmacist.

ませ

mase

[mah-seh]

polite negative (part of ません)

「ませ」 is part of 「ません」, the polite negative form.

Example

はいていません。

I haven’t vomited.

ん

[n]

negative ending

The final sound completing the negative polite form.

Example

一人は魚が食べられません。

One person cannot eat fish.

カードは

kaado wa

cards (as for cards)

は is the topic marker and is pronounced 'wa'.

Example

カードは使えますか。

Can I use a card?

Words in this phrase

カード

kaado

[kah-doh]

card (credit/debit/IC card)

Loanword; used for credit/debit cards and sometimes point cards (context tells).

Example

カードで支払います。

I’ll pay by card.

は

[wah]

topic marker; as for

Marks 'today' as the topic. Written は but pronounced 'wa.'

Example

本日はお時間をいただき、ありがとうございます。

Thank you for giving me your time today.

使えないんです。

tsukae nai n desu

can't be used

This is a negative form with an explanatory tone. Say it as 'tsukaenain desu'.

Example

ここではWi-Fiが使えないんです。

You can't use Wi-Fi here.

Words in this phrase

使え

tsukae

[tsoo-kah-eh]

can use

Stem form meaning to be able to use something.

Example

このお手洗いは使えますか。

Can this restroom be used?

ない

nai

[nai]

not; does not

Negative ending; with いか it forms 'doesn't go well.'

Example

仕事がうまくいかないです。

Work isn't going well.

ん

[n]

explanatory tone

ん adds an explanatory or noticing tone, like “so...” or “I see...”

Example

そう言うんですね。

So that’s how you say it, huh.

です

desu

[dess]

is; polite copula

A polite sentence ending used in formal conversation.

Example

少し伺いたいです。

I would like to ask a little.

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