VOCABULARY
いやいや
i
い
ya
や
i
い
ya
や
unwillingly / reluctantly
no, no (strong denial or disagreement), not at all, don't mention it, you're too kind (humble refusal of a compliment), unwillingly, reluctantly
interjection
adverb
Example sentences
彼はいやいや仕事を引き受けた。
He took on the job reluctantly.
いやいや、私は知りません。
No, no, I don't know.
「ありがとう」「いやいや、当然です」
"Thank you." "Don't mention it, it's only natural."
子供はいやいや薬を飲んだ。
The child took the medicine unwillingly.
Practice exercises
1
「お上手ですね。」「いやいや、まだまだです。」
"You're skilled." "No, no, I still have a long way to go."
Answer
いやいや
2
「大変お世話になりました。」「いやいや、こちらこそ。」
"Thank you for everything." "Don't mention it, likewise."
Answer
いやいや
3
彼は命令にいやいやながらも従った。
He obeyed the order, although reluctantly.
Answer
いやいや
4
「手伝ってくれますか。」「いやいや、私は別の担当ですので。」
"Will you help me?" "No, no, I'm in charge of something else."
Answer
いやいや
5
思わず頷いたが、心の中ではいやいやと叫んでいた。
I nodded without thinking, but in my heart I was shouting "no, no."
Answer
いやいや