아니
ani[a̠ni]
The Korean phrase for no informally is 아니 (ani).
아니 is used to mean 'no'. In spoken Korean, 아니 is often used as an exclamation to express surprise or to correct oneself, similar to saying 'No, wait…' or 'No, but…' in English.
Which one should you use?
While 아니 is the informal way to say no, 아니요 is the polite version used with strangers or superiors.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form 아니 is used in informal settings with friends, younger people or those of lower social status. For other informal expressions, you might use 아니야 for 'No', 안돼 to mean 'It's not possible' or 'Don't do it', 못 해 to say 'I can't do it' or 'I can't handle it' or 싫어 to mean 'I dislike it' or 'I don't like it'.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is [ani].
Did you know?
- Koreans often start a sentence with 아니 even when they are about to agree with the other person. In these cases, it functions as a conversational filler rather than a denial.
- The Middle Korean form of this word was recorded as 아니〮, which featured a specific tone mark that is no longer used in modern spoken Korean.
- If you use 아니 to a stranger or someone older than you, it can be perceived as quite rude or even aggressive, even if you only meant to use it as an exclamation.
Examples in context
- 아니, 아직 안 했어.ani, ajik an haesseo.No, I haven't done it yet.
- 아니, 나는 배 안 고파.ani, naneun bae an gopa.No, I am not hungry.
Example conversation
Two friends are deciding whether to eat lunch together.
- 지훈 Ji-hun민지야, 점심 먹으러 갈래?Minji-ya, jeomsim meogeureo gallae?Minji, do you want to go eat lunch?
- 민지 Min-ji아니, 나 지금 좀 바빠.ani, na jigeum jom bappa.No, I am a bit busy right now.
- 지훈 Ji-hun그래? 그럼 나중에 먹을까?geurae? geureom najunge meogeulkka?Really? Then shall we eat later?
- 민지 Min-ji응, 좋아. 나중에 연락할게.eung, joa. najunge yeonrakhalge.Yeah, that's good. I'll contact you later.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 아니, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 아니, CC BY-SA 4.0.
