нет
net[nʲet]
The English phrase 'no' is translated into Russian as нет (net).
нет is the most straightforward and universal way to say no in Russian. It can be used as a particle to show disagreement or to express the negation of a whole statement.
Meaning: used to show disagreement or negation (particle)
Which one should you use?
The particle нет (no) is used to answer a question or express the negation of a whole statement, whereas не is a particle used to negate a specific word or verb.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
неа is a more casual and colloquial way of saying no.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When used to indicate the absence of something, нет is followed by the noun in the genitive case.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is net.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use нет to negate a verb (e.g., 'я нет хочу') instead of using the particle не (e.g., 'я не хочу').
Did you know?
- The word нет is actually a contraction of the phrase 'is not there'. It combines the negation 'не', the verb 'есть' (is), and the particle 'ту' (here/there).
- Russian allows for a 'double negative' where нет is used in conjunction with other negative words to strengthen the denial, which would be grammatically incorrect in standard English.
- Russian has a specific word нет-нет, where the word is doubled to soften the refusal or to express a skeptical 'no way'.
Examples in context
- И да и нет.Yes and no.This example shows how to express both affirmation and negation.Tatoeba #2310286 by marafon, translation #51133 by shanghainese
- Нет, я не пою.No, I'm not singing.Tatoeba #407647 by Hellerick, translation #66799 by Dejo
- О нет, это он!Oh no, it's him!This sentence uses нет as an exclamation.Tatoeba #4581244 by Selena777, translation #4381905 by Hybrid
- 3604 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Dmitry asks Anastasia if she is hungry.
- Анастасия AnastasiaДмитрий, ты голоден?Dmitriy, ty goloden?Dmitry, are you hungry?
- Дмитрий DmitryНет, Анастасия, я уже поел.Net, Anastasiya, ya uzhe poel.No, Anastasia, I have already eaten.
- Анастасия AnastasiaХочешь чаю?Khochesh' chayu?Do you want some tea?
- Дмитрий DmitryНет, спасибо.Net, spasibo.No, thank you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “no” translations and entries нет, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries нет, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
