아니요
aniyo[a̠nijo]
No in Korean is 아니요 (aniyo). Wiktionary also lists 아뇨 (anyo) and 아니 (ani).
Meaning: used to show disagreement or negation (particle)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 아니요 | aniyo | [a̠nijo] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 아뇨 | anyo | [a̠ɲo] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 아니 | ani | [a̠ni] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The word is used to show disagreement or negation.
Which one should you use?
The form 아니요 is the polite way to say no, suitable for speaking to elders or strangers. Its contraction, 아뇨, is frequently used in spoken conversation. The form 아니 is the casual or informal way to say no, used with friends or people younger than you.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The form 아니야 is the casual non-polite ending used to negate a noun in a sentence, such as saying 'It is not [something]'.
How do you pronounce it?
aniyo
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often confuse the negation particle (no) with the verb 'to not be' (아니다). While '아니요' works as a standalone 'no', in full sentences, the verb must be conjugated to match the politeness level of the sentence.
Did you know?
- When answering a question, a Korean speaker might say 'no' by actually saying 'yes' (네) if they are affirming that the negative premise of the question is correct.
- In Korea, people often say 아니 or 아니요 at the start of a sentence even when they are about to agree with you, using it as a filler word similar to 'well' or 'actually'.
- The Middle Korean form of 'no' is linked to the word 아니, which shares an ancient root with the concept of 'not knowing'.
Examples in context
- 아니야, 새 남자친구가 아니야.No, he's not my new boyfriend.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use the form 아니 to negate a noun in a casual statement.Tatoeba #7965120 by EstasKorea, translation #1427 by LittleBoy
- 천문학은 결코 신생 과학이 아니야.Astronomy is by no means a new science.This sentence shows the use of 아니 to negate a noun in a sentence.Tatoeba #8363689 by Eunhee, translation #278982 by CS
- "지난 주에 티비 봤어?" "아니.""Did you watch television last week?" "No."This example shows how to use 아니 as a short response to a question.Tatoeba #8533885 by Eunhee, translation #8533313 by sundown
- 24 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hyunwoo asks Seoyeon if she is hungry.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo서연 씨, 지금 배고파요?Seoyeon ssi, jigeum baegopayo?Seoyeon, are you hungry now?
- 서연 Seo-yeon아니요, 배 안 고파요.aniyo, bae an gopayo.No, I am not hungry.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo그럼 커피 마실래요?geureom keopi masillaeyo?Then, do you want to drink coffee?
- 서연 Seo-yeon아니요, 괜찮아요.aniyo, gwaenchanayo.No, I am fine.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “no” translations and entries 아니요, 아뇨, 아니, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 아니, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
