نہیں
nahīñstandard
The Urdu word for "no" is نہیں (nahīñ). To be polite say جی نہیں (jī nahīñ), where جی (jī) adds respect. It is also called نہ (na).
Meaning: negative answer (adverb)
Ways to say it
| Pakistan | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| نہیں | nahīñ | standard |
| جی نہیں | jī nahīñ | polite |
| نہ | na | short |
Urdu speakers soften a refusal with جی (jī) or شکریہ (shukriya), as in نہیں شکریہ (nahīñ shukriya), "no thank you". The short نہ (na) is used in commands, as in نہ جاؤ (na jāo), "do not go".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Elders are answered with جی نہیں (jī nahīñ). A plain نہیں (nahīñ) is fine among friends.
Did you know?
- The word نہیں (nahīñ) ends in a nasal sound, written with the letter ں, which is typical of Urdu.
Examples in context
- نہیں، شکریہnahīñ, shukriyaNo, thank you
- جی نہیں، میں نہیں جاؤں گاjī nahīñ, main nahīñ jāūñ gāNo, I will not go
Example conversation
A host, Mrs. Tahira, offers tea to guest Ali at her home in Lahore.
- Mrs. Tahiraآپ چائے لیں گے؟āp chāʾe leñge?Will you have tea?
- Aliجی نہیں، شکریہ۔jī nahīñ, shukriya.No, thank you.
- Mrs. Tahiraٹھنڈا پانی لاؤں؟ṭhanḍā pānī lāūñ?Shall I bring cold water?
