見送りをする
put off
Littéralement: To do a seeing-off
Use it to politely shelve a plan or decision while maintaining professional harmony.
En 15 secondes
- Deciding to postpone or cancel a plan for now.
- A polite way to say 'no' in business contexts.
- Literally means watching a train or person leave.
Signification
It means deciding not to move forward with a plan or action for the time being. It is like watching an opportunity pass by while you stay exactly where you are.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6In a business meeting about a new project
今回は予算の関係で、新規プロジェクトの見送りすることにしました。
We decided to put off the new project due to budget constraints.
Deciding not to buy an expensive gadget
最新のスマホを買おうと思ったけど、結局見送りをしたよ。
I thought about buying the latest smartphone, but I ended up passing on it.
A company canceling an event due to a storm
台風の影響で、明日の花火大会は見送りとなりました。
Due to the typhoon, tomorrow's fireworks display has been put off.
Contexte culturel
This phrase reflects the Japanese tendency to avoid direct confrontation. By 'seeing off' an idea rather than 'killing' it, the speaker maintains a positive relationship with the proposer. It is deeply rooted in the ritual of 'omotenashi' (hospitality), where the exit is as important as the entrance.
The 'Soft No' Secret
In Japanese business, if someone says they will 'miokuri' your proposal, it's 90% a 'no' and 10% a 'maybe later.' Don't push back immediately!
The 'O' Trap
Adding 'O' to make it 'O-miokuri' almost always shifts the meaning to literally seeing a person off. Don't use 'O' when talking about shelving a business plan!
En 15 secondes
- Deciding to postpone or cancel a plan for now.
- A polite way to say 'no' in business contexts.
- Literally means watching a train or person leave.
What It Means
Imagine you are standing on a train platform. A train arrives. You look at it, but you do not get on. You watch it pull away. That is the essence of 見送りをする. In a business or decision-making context, it means you have looked at an idea and decided to let it go for now. You are 'putting it off' or 'shelving' it. It is not necessarily a permanent 'no.' It is more of a 'not this time.'
How To Use It
You use this phrase when a decision has been reached to stop or delay something. Usually, you place the thing you are postponing before the particle を. For example, 採用を見送りをする means putting off hiring someone. It sounds more deliberate than just forgetting. It implies you thought about it. Then, you chose to wait. It is a very common phrase in news headlines and office meetings.
When To Use It
Use it when the situation is a bit serious. It is perfect for business deals that feel risky. Use it when you are shopping for something expensive, like a car. If the price is too high, you 見送りをする. It also works for events canceled by bad weather. If it rains, you might 開催を見送りをする (put off holding the event). It shows you are making a responsible choice. It feels professional and thoughtful.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for tiny, everyday choices. If a friend asks if you want water, do not say 見送りをする. That sounds like you are holding a board meeting about a glass of water! Also, avoid it for things you definitely hate. If you never want to see someone again, this phrase is too soft. It implies the door might still be open later. Use a direct 'no' or 'cancel' for those moments.
Cultural Background
Japanese culture values 'Wa' or harmony. Saying a flat 'No' can feel like a slap in the face. 見送り is a beautiful linguistic cushion. It comes from the literal act of seeing a guest off at the station. You are being polite. You are showing respect to the idea before letting it go. It allows everyone to save face. It is the ultimate 'polite pass' in the corporate world.
Common Variations
The most common variation is the simple verb form 見送る. In very formal settings, you might hear 見合わせる. That one sounds even more cautious. If you want to be extra polite to a person, you add the prefix お. お見送りをする usually returns to the literal meaning of seeing someone off at the airport. Be careful with that 'O'—it changes the vibe completely!
Notes d'usage
This phrase is a staple of polite refusal. In business, it is the standard way to reject a proposal without using the word 'reject.'
The 'Soft No' Secret
In Japanese business, if someone says they will 'miokuri' your proposal, it's 90% a 'no' and 10% a 'maybe later.' Don't push back immediately!
The 'O' Trap
Adding 'O' to make it 'O-miokuri' almost always shifts the meaning to literally seeing a person off. Don't use 'O' when talking about shelving a business plan!
News Watch
You will see this in NHK news constantly regarding government policies or tax hikes. It's the go-to word for political delays.
Exemples
6今回は予算の関係で、新規プロジェクトの見送りすることにしました。
We decided to put off the new project due to budget constraints.
A standard way to announce a business delay.
最新のスマホを買おうと思ったけど、結局見送りをしたよ。
I thought about buying the latest smartphone, but I ended up passing on it.
Shows a personal decision after some thought.
台風の影響で、明日の花火大会は見送りとなりました。
Due to the typhoon, tomorrow's fireworks display has been put off.
Often used in public announcements.
ダイエットは明日からにすることにして、今日は見送り！
I decided to start my diet tomorrow, so today is a pass!
A lighthearted way to use the phrase for self-excuses.
親友の留学を見送りをするために空港へ行った。
I went to the airport to see my best friend off for their study abroad.
This uses the literal 'seeing someone off' meaning.
条件が合わなかったので、今回の転職は見送りをしたんだ。
The conditions didn't match, so I passed on the job change this time.
Explaining a major life decision.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct particle and verb form to say 'I decided to put off the trip.'
旅行___見送りをすることにしました。
The object being put off (the trip) is marked with the object particle 'o'.
Which word fits best in a formal announcement about postponing a wedding?
諸事情により、結婚式は___となりました。
'Miokuri' is the formal way to say a planned event is being put off or shelved.
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality of 'Putting Something Off'
Casual 'I quit' or 'I'm not doing it.'
ダイエットやめる！
Standard verb form for decisions.
購入を見送る。
Noun-based collocation, slightly more formal.
採用の見送りをする。
Very formal/official postponement.
運転を見合わせる。
When to use 見送りをする
Business Investment
Shelving a risky deal.
Shopping
Passing on an expensive watch.
Weather
Canceling a game due to rain.
Social Life
Seeing a friend off at the station.
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsNot exactly. It means to 'pass' for now. While the result is the same as a cancellation, the nuance is that you considered it and decided the timing wasn't right.
It sounds very cold and robotic in romance. Using 見送りをする for a person implies they are a business transaction. Better to use other phrases for breakups!
延期 (Enki) means you have a new date set. 見送り means you've decided not to do it for now, with no specific future date in mind.
Yes, it is very appropriate. If you are suggesting that the company should wait on a project, saying 見送りをすべきだと思います (I think we should put it off) sounds professional.
Think of the visual: you are letting something move away from you while you stay still. Whether it's a friend or a business deal, you are watching it go.
It's a bit too heavy for lunch. If you decide not to buy a sandwich, just say やめておく (yamete oku) instead.
見送り is the noun. When you add をする, it becomes a verb phrase. You can also just use the verb 見送る.
見合わせる (miawaseru) is even more formal. You'll hear it at train stations when service is suspended due to an accident.
It is used, but mostly for 'big' decisions like buying a house or a car. For small stuff, it's less common.
Usually no. It implies a logical, calculated decision to wait or pass.
You would use the passive form: 両親に見送りをされた (Ryoushin ni miokuri o sareta).
No, it is standard Japanese and very safe to use in all professional environments.
Expressions liées
延期する (To postpone with a set date)
見合わせる (To suspend/postpone formally)
断念する (To give up on a hope/plan)
パスする (To pass/skip - casual)
検討を祈る (To wish someone luck - often said after a 'miokuri')
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