Conversations · Lesson 17

Saying no and asking for help, gently

今日きょうはちょっと…。

Turn down invitations softly with 「ちょっと…」 and half a reason, ask for help with 「〜てもらえませんか」, and recognise a soft no when you hear one.

Practise Paid

In this lesson

  1. 01Main dialogue: Friday afternoon at the office
  2. 02How people say no to you (you only need to understand these)
  3. 03What you say: saying no in three steps
  4. 04What you say: asking for help
  5. 05When someone asks you: agreeing, changing the terms, saying no
  6. 06Habits around saying no and asking

Practice

  • What does the other person really mean?
  • How would you reply?
  • Which sentence says what you want?
  • Match each phrase to its situation
  • Choose the phrase for each blank
  • Make it more polite
  • Put the dialogue in order

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