How to Say "No" in Hokkien - How To Say Guide

毋是

m̄-sī

The English phrase 'no' is expressed in Hokkien as 毋是 (m̄-sī).

毋是 is used as a particle to show disagreement or negation, effectively communicating that 'it is not the case'.

Meaning: used to show disagreement or negation (particle)

What does it mean word for word?

The phrase is composed of 毋, meaning 'not' and 是, meaning 'is/am/are'.

While 毋是 is used to negate a noun or an identity, it is distinct from 毋, which is used to negate verbs or adjectives.

This form is used specifically to negate a noun or a state of being.

m̄-sī

The word 毋 used in 毋是 is etymologically linked to ancient Chinese negation markers that have largely disappeared from modern standard Mandarin.
In many Hokkien-speaking communities, a polite 'no' is often accompanied by a slight shake of the head or a hand gesture to soften the directness of 毋是.
In some regions, saying 毋是 too abruptly can be perceived as argumentative, so speakers often add a filler word like 啦 at the end to make it sound more natural.

毋是。
No.
This sentence shows how to use 毋是 to say 'No'.
Tatoeba #13246662 by tsunhua, translation #477061 by Ricardo14
毋是嗎？
No?
This sentence shows how to use 毋是 to ask 'No?'
Tatoeba #13243283 by tsunhua, translation #1158522 by Thanuir
毋是，我毋知。
No, I don't know.
毋是這款意思。
m̄-sī chit khán ì-sù.
It is not this kind of meaning.

Zhiming and Jiayi are discussing a misunderstanding.

Sources

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