үгүй
ügüj/uˈɡui̯/
The Mongolian word for "no" is үгүй (ügüj).
үгүй is used as a particle to show disagreement or negation. It serves as the standard standalone response to a yes/no question. It can also act as a determiner meaning "not any".
Meaning: used to show disagreement or negation (particle)
Which one should you use?
There is a distinction between using үгүй and биш. While үгүй is used to negate the existence or truth of a statement (no/none), биш is used to negate a noun or an identity (is not).
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is ügüj and the IPA is /uˈɡui̯/.
Did you know?
- Because үгүй relates to the absence of something, saying it to a question about your presence can literally mean 'I am not here'.
- While үгүй is the standard 'no', Mongolians often use it in combination with a polite apology or a softening particle to avoid sounding confrontational during negotiations.
- The word үгүй shares a common ancestor with the Buryat word үгы and the Kalmyk word уга.
Examples in context
- Арга үгүй.No way.This example shows the use of үгүй to express 'no way'.Tatoeba #1252134 by altaar, translation #272638 by Eldad
- Багш байна уу? Үгүй байхгүй байнаIs the teacher here? No, he is notThis example shows the use of үгүй in a response to a question.
- Үгүй би биш, чи!No I'm not, you are!This example shows the use of үгүй to express disagreement.Tatoeba #9757593 by Alkrasnov, translation #1323 by Zifre
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gantaatar asks Sarantuya if she has finished her work.
- Ганбаатар GanbaatarСарантуя, чи ажил дууссан уу?Sarantuya, chi ajil duussan uu?Sarantuya, are you finished with your work?
- Сарантуя SarantuyaҮгүй, би хараахан дуусаагүй байна.Ügüi, bi kharaahan duusaakhgüi baina.No, I haven't finished yet.
- Ганбаатар GanbaatarТэгвэл би чамд туслах уу?Tegvel bi chamd tuslakh uu?Then shall I help you?
- Сарантуя SarantuyaҮгүй, би өөрөө чадна.Ügüi, bi ööröö chadna.No, I can do it myself.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “no” translations and entries үгүй, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries үгүй, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
