How to Say ‘Oh no, I still have a long way to go.’ in Japanese
いえいえ、まだまだです。
ie ie madamada desu
[ee-EH ee-EH mah-dah-MAH-dah dess]
🇯🇵 In Japan: This is the standard modest reply when someone praises your Japanese. Locals will find it natural, and even a bit charming coming from a learner.
Phrase Breakdown
いえいえ、
ie ie
No, no
A polite, modest way to brush off a compliment. Say both いえ clearly: i-e-i-e.
いえいえ、大丈夫です。
No, no, it's fine.
Words in this phrase
いえ
ie
[ee-EH]
no
A polite way to say no or correct someone.
いえ、違います。
No, that's wrong.
いえ
ie
[ee-EH]
no
A polite way to say no or correct someone.
いえ、違います。
No, that's wrong.
まだまだです。
madamada desu
I still have a long way to go.
まだ means 'still / not yet'. Repeating it adds humility. です is usually said 'dess'.
日本語はまだまだです。
My Japanese still has a long way to go.
Words in this phrase
まだまだ
madamada
[mah-dah-MAH-dah]
still a long way to go; not yet good
Humble reply to praise, meaning one still has much to learn.
私の英語はまだまだです。
My English still has a long way to go.
です
desu
[dess]
is; polite copula
A polite sentence ending used in formal conversation.
少し伺いたいです。
I would like to ask a little.
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