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

नहीं

nahī̃/nə.ɦĩː/

The English word "no" is translated into Hindi as नहीं (nahī̃). Wiktionary also lists जी नहीं (jī nahī̃).

Meaning: used to show disagreement or negation (particle)

Ways to say it

“no” in Hindi
Hindi	Romanization (Wiktionary)	IPA
नहीं	nahī̃	/nə.ɦĩː/ (Hindi, Standard)
जी नहीं	jī nahī̃	/d͡ʒiː nə.ɦĩː/ (Hindi, Standard)

नहीं is a particle used to express negation or to show disagreement. It can also function as a noun meaning a negating expression.

While नहीं is used for negation, the word ना is a more colloquial or poetic way to express negation in certain contexts.

The standard form is नहीं. For a more polite and respectful way to say "no", you should use जी नहीं.

The word is pronounced /nə.ɦĩː/ (two syllables).

In many Indian cultures, a 'no' is often conveyed without saying नहीं at all. Instead, a subtle side-to-side tilt of the head, known as the Indian head wobble, can signal disagreement or a soft 'no'.
The word जी is a very distant relative of the English word 'quick' and the French word 'vif'. All these words trace back to the same Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'alive'.
While नहीं is the standard negation, the colloquial ना is frequently used at the end of a sentence to turn a statement into a question, similar to adding 'right?' or 'isn't it?' in English.

अभी तक कोई नहीं मरा।
No one has died yet.
This sentence shows how नहीं can be used to negate the subject in the context of 'no one'.
Tatoeba #9844511 by anushka, translation #4246061 by CK
कोई और ये नहीं समझता।
No one else would've understood this.
This sentence demonstrates using नहीं to negate a verb.
Tatoeba #11370671 by Sorcien, translation #11341053 by sundown
किसी ने जवाब नहीं दिया।
No one responded.
This sentence shows the use of नहीं to indicate the absence of an action.
Tatoeba #8889274 by simranbansal, translation #2249603 by CK
क्या आप मेरी मदद कर सकते हैं? – मैं नहीं कर सकता हूँ, मुझे अभी बहुत काम है।
Can you help me? – I cannot help, I have a lot of work right now.
क्या तुम कल फिल्म देखने चलोगे? – नहीं, मुझे थोड़ा आराम करना है।
Will you go watch a movie tomorrow? – No, I want to relax a bit.
117 more sentences on Tatoeba

Pooja asks Aditya if he is hungry.

पूजा Pooja

क्या आपको भूख लगी है?
Kya aapko bhookh lagi hai?
Are you hungry?
आदित्य Aditya

नहीं, मुझे भूख नहीं है।
Nahi, mujhe bhookh nahi hai.
No, I am not hungry.
पूजा Pooja

तो क्या आप पानी पिएंगे?
To kya aap paani piyenge?
Then will you drink some water?
आदित्य Aditya

नहीं, शुक्रिया।
Nahi, shukriya.
No, thank you.

Sources

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