아니야
aniya
In Korean, aniyah is translated as 아니야. It is an informal way to say no or to deny that something is true.
The phrase 아니야 can be used as a standalone response to mean 'No', or it can function as a predicate to mean 'It is not [something].'
Which one should you use?
While 아니야 is the informal version, you should use the polite form 아니에요 (anieyo) when speaking to strangers or people older than you.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase functions as the informal non-polite conjugation of the verb 아니다 (to not be).
How do you pronounce it?
aniya
Did you know?
- In conversational Korean, 아니 is often used as a filler word similar to 'well' or 'look' at the start of a sentence, even when the speaker is about to agree with the other person.
- When someone gives a compliment, it is culturally common to respond with 아니야 to show modesty. Accepting a compliment too directly can be seen as lacking humility.
- Depending on the intonation, 아니야 can be stretched into 아니이이이야 to sound cute or pleading, a style of speaking known as 'aegyo'.
Examples in context
- 그건 내 잘못이 아니야.geugeon nae jalmosi aniya.That is not my fault.
- 지금은 갈 시간이 아니야.jigeumeun gal sigani aniya.It is not time to go now.
- 이건 네 꿈이 아니야.igeon ne kkum-i aniya.This is not your dream.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about whether a movie is scary.
- 민지 Min-ji이 영화 진짜 무서워?i yeonghwa jincha museowo?Is this movie really scary?
- 도현 Do-hyeon아니야, 하나도 안 무서워.aniya, hanado an museowo.No, it's not scary at all.
- 민지 Min-ji정말? 나 겁 많은데.jeongmal? na geom maneunde.Really? I am a coward.
- 도현 Do-hyeon걱정 마, 괜찮아.geokjeong ma, gwaenchana.Don't worry, it's okay.
