How to Say ‘Not at all, the same to you.’ in Japanese
いえいえ、こちらこそ。
ie ie kochira koso
[ee-EH ee-EH koh-CHEE-rah koh-soh]
🇯🇵 In Japan: Brushing off thanks with いえいえ and then returning it is the polite reflex in Japan. Simply saying "you're welcome" can sound a bit stiff or self-important.
Phrase Breakdown
いえいえ、
ie ie
no, no / not at all
A humble way to brush off thanks or praise. Say it lightly and quickly: i-e-i-e.
いえいえ、大丈夫ですよ。
Not at all, it's no problem.
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.
こちらこそ。
kochira koso
the pleasure is mine / likewise
こちら (kochira) means 'this side' or 'me', and こそ (koso) adds emphasis. Together they mean 'it's me who should say that'. Stress the こそ slightly.
こちらこそ、よろしくお願いします。
Likewise, I look forward to working with you.
Words in this phrase
こちら
kochira
[koh-CHEE-rah]
I; we; our side
Literally 'this side'; politely refers to the speaker or speaker's side.
こちらこそありがとうございます。
Thank you as well, on my part.
こそ
koso
[koh-soh]
indeed; for my part especially
Adds emphasis, as in 'it's me who should say that' or 'likewise.'
こちらこそありがとうございます。
No, thank you as well.
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