How do you say "that's difficult (a soft no)" in Japanese?

Name: She Never Said No
Uploaded: 2026-10-23T09:56:17Z
Duration: 30 s
Description: Learn to say 難しいですね (muzukashii desu ne) — that's difficult (a soft no). A 30-second Japanese lesson for travelers from Kōfuku.

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She Never Said No

To say that's difficult (a soft no) in Japanese, say 難しいですね (muzukashii desu ne).

You asked again. She had already refused. The refusal was "that's difficult."

難しいですね muzukashii desu ne that's difficult (a soft no)

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In this video

難しいですね。 muzukashii desu ne. That's difficult.
すみません、それは難しいですね。 sumimasen, sore wa muzukashii desu ne. Sorry, that's difficult.

Why this phrase

Hotel desk, or a restaurant that cannot seat you. Hana is the staff, warm, not icy. Kōfuku asks to change rooms, or to come in without a booking, and she answers 難しいですね. He hears "this is complicated" and asks again. From staff, that line is a soft no. It is not the customer's けっこうです.