Words › JLPT N3 › 断る

断る: to refuse

断ことわる kotowaru

to refuse; to reject; to inform; to give notice; to ask leave; to excuse oneself (from)

JLPT N3Everyday actions

to refuse; to decline

JLPT N3Thinking & talking

恩おんのある先輩せんぱいの頼たのみは断ことわれない。それが義理人情ぎりにんじょうというものだ。

I can't refuse a request from a senior I owe a favor. That is what duty and human feeling are all about.

誘さそいを断ことわるのは気きまずいものだ。

Turning down an invitation can be awkward.