The Vocabulary of Objection

Ikan (遺憾): regret. A dictionary defines it as feeling regret because something did not turn out as expected or intended. The government uses the phrase ikan no i, an expression of regret, when it protests the actions of another country.

Okotoba o kaesu yō desu ga (お言葉を返すようですが): it may seem that I am returning your words. A phrase placed before disagreeing with someone’s opinion.

Sen’etsu nagara (僭越ながら): though it is presumptuous of me. Another phrase used in the same place.

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