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How to Say ‘Oh, but I'd feel bad.’ in Japanese

え、でも悪いですよ。

e de mo warui desu yo

[eh deh moh wah-ROO-ee desu yo]

🇯🇵 In Japan: Protesting at least once before you accept a treat is expected politeness. Giving in right away can come across as taking the treat for granted.

Phrase Breakdown

え、でも

e de mo

oh, but

'え' shows mild surprise. 'でも' means 'but'. Pause slightly after 'え'.

Example

え、でも時間がないです。

Oh, but there's no time.

Words in this phrase

え

[eh]

eh?; what?

An interjection showing surprise or mild disbelief.

Example

え、本当ですか。

Eh, really?

で

[deh]

but (part of でも)

First half of でも, a conjunction meaning 'but' or 'however' at the start of a sentence.

Example

でも、高いです。

But it's expensive.

も

[moh]

but (part of でも)

Second half of でも; together they mean 'but; however'.

Example

でも、大丈夫です。

But it's okay.

悪いですよ。

warui desu yo

I'd feel bad (letting you).

'悪い' literally means 'bad'. Here it means 'I'd feel bad about that' and is used to decline a kind offer politely.

Example

そんな、悪いですよ。

Oh no, I couldn't let you.

Words in this phrase

悪い

warui

[wah-ROO-ee]

sorry; I feel bad

Here expresses guilt about imposing on someone, not 'bad' in quality.

Example

いつも悪いね。

I always feel bad (for troubling you).

です

desu

[desu]

is; polite ending

A polite sentence ending often used to soften statements.

Example

キャンセルしたいです。

I want to cancel.

よ

[yo]

you know

Particle used for emphasis or to assert information.

Example

わかるよね。

You know, right?

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