no
/ˈnɔ/
The Italian word for "no" is no.
no is used as a particle to express disagreement or to negate a statement. You can also use no as a masculine noun meaning "a refusal" or "a negative answer". If you wish to express a very strong refusal or show disbelief and disagreement, it is common to repeat the word multiple times, such as No, no!
Meaning: used to show disagreement or negation (particle)
Which one should you use?
While no serves as a standalone particle to answer a question or express disagreement, the word non is the adverb used to negate verbs or adjectives within a sentence.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as a noun meaning "a refusal" or "a negative answer", no is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈnɔ/
Did you know?
- Using no at the end of a sentence can turn a statement into a request for confirmation, similar to how English speakers use 'right?' or 'isn't it?'
- In Italy, a common non-verbal way to say no is a slight upward flick of the chin accompanied by a soft click of the tongue or a pouting lip.
- The Italian no shares the same Latin ancestor, nōn, as the English word 'not'.
Examples in context
- No, no e no!No, no, and furthermore, no!This example shows the use of the particle no in an emphatic refusal.Tatoeba #4726765 by Guybrush88, translation #1490778 by niceguydave
- No, non lo è.No, it's not.This example shows how to use the particle no to negate a statement.Tatoeba #4758375 by Guybrush88, translation #694439 by AmberShadow
- No, non lo so.No, I don't know.This example shows how to use the particle no to answer a question.Tatoeba #2596763 by Guybrush88, translation #66782 by orcrist
- Mi dispiace, ma non posso partecipare alla riunione. No, grazie.I'm sorry, but I can't attend the meeting. No, thank you.
- Mi dispiace, ma ho altri impegni.I'm sorry, but I have other commitments.
- Non posso, mi spiace. Apprezzo l'invito, ma ho già un impegno.I can't, I'm sorry. I appreciate the invitation, but I already have a commitment.
- Mi accompagni allo shopping? – Neanche per sogno!Will you come shopping with me? – No way!
- Non c'è modo che io venga a cena stasera.There's no way I'm coming to dinner tonight.
- 5325 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lorenzo and Giulia are discussing whether to go to a party tonight.
- LorenzoGiulia, andiamo alla festa stasera?Giulia, are we going to the party tonight?
- GiuliaNo, Lorenzo, sono troppo stanca.No, Lorenzo, I am too tired.
- LorenzoMa resteremo solo un'ora!But we will stay only one hour!
- GiuliaNo, preferisco restare a casa.No, I prefer to stay at home.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “no” translations and entries no, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries no, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
