いえいえ
Significado: A humble deflection meaning 'no no' or 'don't mention it' — used to modestly dismiss thanks or praise.
いえいえ is a doubled form of いえ (no) that serves as a gentle, humble deflection. When someone thanks you or praises you, responding with いえいえ conveys 'it was nothing' or 'please don't mention it.' It reflects the Japanese cultural value of modesty (謙遜) where accepting praise directly can seem boastful. The tone is warm rather than cold — it is a social dance of humility, not genuine rejection.
Ejemplos
- 助けてくれてありがとう。いえいえ、当然のことですよ。 谢谢你帮忙。哪里哪里,这是应该的。Gracias por ayudarme. Qué va, es lo normal.도와줘서 고마워. 아니에요, 당연한 건데요.
- すごいですね!いえいえ、まだまだです。 你好厉害啊!哪里哪里,还差得远呢。¡Qué bueno eres! Qué va, aún me queda mucho por aprender.대단하시네요! 아니에요, 아직 멀었어요.
- いえいえ、こちらこそお世話になりました。 哪里哪里,是我该感谢您的照顾才对。Qué va, el que debería dar las gracias soy yo.아니에요, 오히려 제가 신세를 졌습니다.
Pronunciación
/i.e.i.e/
Guía de uso
Contexto: after being thanked, after being praised, humble responses, business
Tono: modest, warm
✓ Correcto
- いえいえ、お役に立てて嬉しいです (No no, I'm happy I could help)哪里哪里,能帮到您我很高兴(No no, I'm happy I could help)Qué va, me alegro de haber podido ayudar.아니에요, 도움이 되었다니 기쁩니다 (아니에요, 도움이 돼서 저도 기뻐요)
- いえいえ、大したことないですよ (Don't mention it, it was nothing)哪里哪里,不算什么(Don't mention it, it was nothing)Qué va, no fue nada.아니에요, 대단한 게 아닌걸요 (별말씀을요, 별거 아니에요)
✗ Incorrecto
- 相手が真剣に感謝している時に「いえいえ」を連発すると感謝を軽視しているように聞こえる (Repeatedly saying いえいえ when someone is sincerely thanking you can seem like you're dismissing their gratitude)对方真诚感谢时一直说「いえいえ」会让人觉得你在轻视他们的谢意(Repeatedly saying いえいえ when someone is sincerely thanking you can seem like you're dismissing their gratitude)Repetir「いえいえ」insistentemente cuando alguien te agradece sinceramente puede dar la impresión de que estás restando importancia a su gratitud.상대가 진심으로 감사할 때 「いえいえ」를 연발하면 감사를 가볍게 여기는 것처럼 들린다 (상대가 진심으로 감사하고 있을 때 いえいえ를 반복하면 그 감사를 무시하는 것처럼 들릴 수 있습니다)
Errores comunes
- Using いえいえ to reject an offer — it specifically deflects thanks or praise, not offers
- Over-deflecting with いえいえ when a simple ありがとう in return would be more appropriate
Origen e historia
Doubled form of いいえ/いえ (no), used specifically for humble deflection. Rooted in the Japanese cultural value of 謙遜 (kenson, modesty), where downplaying one's own contributions is considered virtuous.
Contexto cultural
Era: Traditional modesty culture
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
Regional notes: Used nationwide. A cornerstone of Japanese modesty culture. Often followed by こちらこそ (likewise) to redirect appreciation back to the other person.
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