Ways to say it
| Hindi | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| नहीं | nahī̃ | /nə.ɦĩː/ (Hindi, Standard) |
| जी नहीं | jī nahī̃ | /d͡ʒiː nə.ɦĩː/ (Hindi, Standard) |
The word नहीं is used as a particle to show disagreement or negation. It can also function as a noun meaning a negating expression.
Which one should you use?
While नहीं is the standard way to express negation, जी नहीं is a more polite and respectful version used when speaking to elders or in formal settings.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The variation नहीं जी is a polite form used particularly in North India. In Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra, you may hear the informal variation नहीं यार, which means 'No, buddy'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
नहीं functions as an adverb of negation and is typically placed before the verb it negates.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /nə.ɦĩː/ (nahī̃).
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers sometimes confuse the short particle न (na) with the full negation नहीं (nahī̃). Note that न is typically used for poetic emphasis or in specific rhetorical questions rather than as a standard 'no'.
Did you know?
- The Hindi word जी used for politeness is a distant relative of the English word 'quick' and the French word 'vif'.
- In many Indian cultures, saying नहीं directly can be seen as too blunt, so people often use indirect phrases or a hesitant tone to soften the negation.
- In some contexts, a speaker might say जी alone as a respectful way to acknowledge someone, even if they are about to disagree with जी नहीं.
Examples in context
- अभी तक कोई नहीं मरा।No one has died yet.This sentence uses नहीं to show that no one has died yet.Tatoeba #9844511 by anushka, translation #4246061 by CK
- कोई और ये नहीं समझता।No one else would've understood this.This sentence uses नहीं to show that no one else would have understood.Tatoeba #11370671 by Sorcien, translation #11341053 by sundown
- किसी ने जवाब नहीं दिया।No one responded.This sentence uses नहीं to show that no one responded.Tatoeba #8889274 by simranbansal, translation #2249603 by CK
- 117 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Priya asks Rahul if he has finished his homework.
- राहुल Rahulप्रिया, क्या तुमने खाना खाया?Priya, kya tumne khana khaya?Priya, did you eat food?
- प्रिया Priyaनहीं, मैंने अभी तक नहीं खाया।Nahi, maine abhi tak nahi khaya.No, I haven't eaten yet.
- राहुल Rahulक्या तुम अभी मेरे साथ चलोगी?Kya tum abhi mere saath chalogi?Will you come with me now?
- प्रिया Priyaनहीं, मुझे काम करना है।Nahi, mujhe kaam karna hai.No, I have to work.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “no” translations and entries नहीं, जी नहीं, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries जी, नहीं, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
