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How to Say ‘But actually, I can't really handle alcohol that well...’ in Japanese

でも実は、あまりお酒強くなくて…

de mo jitsu wa amari o sake tsuyoku naku te

[deh moh jitsu wah ah-mah-ree o sah-KEH TSOO-yoh-koo naku teh]

🇯🇵 In Japan: Ending on て… and trailing off lets the listener fill in the refusal. This is the classic soft way to decline in Japan, and it isn't read as a rejection of the person.

Phrase Breakdown

でも実は、

de mo jitsu wa

But actually,

This opener introduces a small confession. Pause briefly at the comma.

Example

でも実は、少し緊張しています。

But actually, I'm a little nervous.

Words in this phrase

で

[deh]

but (part of でも)

First part of でも, a conjunction meaning 'but; however' at the start of a sentence.

Example

でも、行きたいです。

But I want to go.

も

[moh]

but (part of でも)

Second part of でも, 'but; however'.

Example

でも、時間がない。

But there's no time.

実

jitsu

[jitsu]

in fact, actually

Used to reveal real facts or truth.

Example

実は今日、誕生日です。

Actually, today is my birthday.

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?

あまりお酒

amari o sake

(not) very much ... alcohol

あまり combines with the negative that follows. お酒 means alcoholic drinks.

Example

あまりお酒を飲まないです。

I don't drink much alcohol.

Words in this phrase

あまり

amari

[ah-mah-ree]

too much; very; not much

Often used with a negative form to mean 'not very' or 'not too much.'

Example

あまり無理しないでください。

Please don't overdo it too much.

お

[o]

polite prefix

Used before nouns to make them polite.

Example

お茶をどうぞ。

Please have some tea.

酒

sake

[sah-KEH]

alcohol; sake

General word for alcoholic drinks, usually with polite お.

Example

お酒を飲みます。

I drink alcohol.

強くなくて…

tsuyoku naku te

am not strong (with it), so...

The て-form trails off softly to hint at a reason. It is a polite way to decline indirectly.

Example

朝が強くなくて…

I'm not a morning person, so...

Words in this phrase

強く

tsuyoku

[TSOO-yoh-koo]

strong (adverbial form)

Form of 強い 'strong'; お酒が強い means able to hold one's liquor.

Example

父はお酒が強くない。

My dad can't handle alcohol well.

なく

naku

[naku]

not

Negative form indicator.

Example

今日は行けなくなった。

I can't go today.

て

[teh]

and; -te form

A linking form used to connect verbs to following grammar, such as progressive or polite forms.

Example

仕事を探している人と話しました。

I spoke with a person who is looking for work.

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