polite refusal; respectfully decline
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesidiom
polite formula to decline an offer; to beg to be excused
formalA self-deprecating polite expression used to decline a task, invitation, or position, implying one lacks the ability or qualifications. Literally 'respectfully decline due to lack of cleverness'.
Duì对
yú于
nín您
de的
shèng盛
qíng情
yāo邀
qǐng请
，
wǒ我
zhǐ只
néng能
jìng敬
xiè谢
bù不
mǐn敏
le了
。
Regarding your kind invitation, I can only respectfully decline.
Rú如
cǐ此
zhòng重
rèn任
，
běn本
rén人
jìng敬
xiè谢
bù不
mǐn敏
，
hái还
qǐng请
lìng另
qǐng请
gāo高
míng明
。
For such a heavy responsibility, I must respectfully decline; please find someone more qualified.
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Tā他
wǎn婉
yán言
xiè谢
jué绝
le了
zhè这
gè个
tí提
yì议
，
kě可
yǐ以
shuō说
shì是
jìng敬
xiè谢
bù不
mǐn敏
。
He tactfully declined the proposal, which can be described as a respectful refusal.