Ways to say it
| Ancient Greek | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| οὔ | ou | |
| οὐχί | ouchi | emphatic |
For emphasis, Greek uses οὐχί (ouchi), a stronger form closer to 'certainly not' or 'no indeed'.
What does it mean word for word?
οὔ is the basic negative particle used to deny a statement of fact. οὐχί adds a suffix for extra emphasis.
Which one should you use?
οὔ is the plain negative answer to a question. οὐχί is used for a firmer, more forceful denial.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Both fit any register, from casual conversation to formal philosophical argument, where οὔ is a constant feature of dialogue.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The distinction between οὔ and μή as two kinds of Greek negation runs throughout all periods and genres of classical Greek.
How does it change in a sentence?
Greek has two separate negatives: οὔ denies statements of fact, while μή negates commands, wishes and other non-factual statements, a distinction with no single English equivalent.
How do you pronounce it?
οὔ is a long single vowel sound, close to English 'oo', not to be confused with the single letter omicron.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Using μή where οὔ belongs, or the reverse, is one of the most common grammar mistakes for students of Ancient Greek, since English 'no' and 'not' do not make this distinction.
When do people say it?
Plato's dialogues are full of short exchanges where a student answers Socrates with a plain οὔ, part of the back and forth question style known as the Socratic method.
Did you know?
- Ancient Greek splits negation into two separate words, οὔ for facts and μή for commands and wishes, a distinction English simply does not make.
- Plato's dialogues are built around short questions and short answers like οὔ, making the single word one of the most frequent in his entire surviving work.
Examples in context
- οὔ, οὐκ ἀληθές ἐστιν.ou, ouk alethes estin.No, that is not true.
- οὐχί, οὐδαμῶς.ouchi, oudamos.No, not at all.
- ἆρα τοῦτο ἀληθές? οὔ.ara touto alethes? ou.Is this true? No.
Example conversation
Socrates questions his student Meno in a typical philosophical exchange.
- Socratesἆρα τοῦτο καλόν ἐστιν?ara touto kalon estin?Is this good?
- Menoοὔ, ὦ Σώκρατες.ou, o Sokrates.No, Socrates.
- Socratesοὐχὶ δοκεῖ σοι?ouchi dokei soi?Does it not seem so to you?
- Menoοὐδαμῶς.oudamos.Not at all.
