नाही
nāhī/na.ɦi/
In Marathi, नाही (nāhī) is the word for no.
नाही is used to show disagreement or negation. When answering a 'yes/no' question, use नाही to indicate that a state or existence is not true.
Meaning: used to show disagreement or negation (particle)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word नाही functions as the negative form of the verb 'to be' (to exist/to be) in many contexts, meaning 'is not', 'am not' or 'are not'.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is nāhī. It has 2 syllables. The /n/ sound is like the [n] in 'not', the /ɦ/ sound is like the [h] in 'have' and the /i/ sound is like the [y] in 'happy'.
Did you know?
- The structure of नाही allows it to be placed at the end of a sentence to turn a statement into a negative one.
- The word नाही is an inflection of the verb नसणे, which specifically means 'to not be' or 'to not exist'.
- While नाही is the word for 'no', Marathi speakers often accompany it with a side-to-side head tilt or a slight shake to emphasize the negation.
Examples in context
- आज शाळा नाही आहे.There is no school today.Tatoeba #2353881 by sabretou, translation #242804 by CK
- काही फरक पडत नाही.It makes no difference.Tatoeba #3869007 by sabretou, translation #2082973 by Tamy
- मी नाही कसं म्हणू?How could I possibly say no?Tatoeba #6744810 by sabretou, translation #4014156 by CK
- 657 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nilesh and Sneha are talking about going to a movie.
- निलेश Nileshस्नेहा, तू आज सिनेमाला येणार आहेस का?Sneha, tu aaj cinemala yenar ahes ka?Sneha, are you coming to the movie today?
- स्नेहा Snehaनाही, मला खूप काम आहे.Nahi, mala khup kaam ahe.No, I have a lot of work.
- निलेश Nileshमग आपण उद्या जाऊया का?Mag apan udya jauya ka?Then shall we go tomorrow?
- स्नेहा Snehaहो, उद्या ठीक आहे.Ho, udya thik ahe.Yes, tomorrow is fine.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “no” translations and entries नाही, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries नाही, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
