نہیں شکریہ
nahĩ śukriya
The phrase نہیں شکریہ (nahĩ śukriya) is how you say "no thank you" in Urdu.
This phrase is a polite way of saying no.
Meaning: polite way of saying no (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of نہیں, meaning "no" and شکریہ, meaning "thank you".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Adding شکریہ after نہیں makes a refusal polite and socially acceptable. You may use the formal phrase Shukriya, lekin nahi. to mean "Thank you, but no." or the informal phrase Nahi chahiye, shukriya. to mean "No need, thank you.".
How do you pronounce it?
nahĩ śukriya
Did you know?
- In many Urdu-speaking cultures, saying نہیں شکریہ might not be enough to stop a persistent host. It is common to refuse an offer multiple times before finally accepting it to show modesty.
- Despite being used in Urdu, the word شکریہ is actually a 'pseudo-Arabism'. This means it was constructed by Urdu speakers to sound like an Arabic word, rather than being borrowed directly from an existing Arabic noun.
- In many South Asian cultures, a polite 'no' is often accompanied by a small hand gesture, such as a slight wave of the hand or placing a hand near the chest, to signal that you are declining out of politeness rather than actual dislike.
Examples in context
- نہیں شکریہ، میں ٹھیک ہوں۔nahin shukriya, mein theek hoon.No thank you, I am fine.
- نہیں شکریہ، مجھے ابھی نہیں چاہیے۔nahin shukriya, mujhe abhi nahin chahiye.No thank you, I don't want it right now.
- نہیں شکریہ، میں خود جا سکتا ہوں۔nahin shukriya, mein khud ja sakta hoon.No thank you, I can go by myself.
Example conversation
Zainab is offering Omar some tea.
- زینب Zainabکیا آپ چائے لیں گے؟Kya aap chai lein gay?Would you like some tea?
- عمر Omarنہیں شکریہ، میں ابھی نہیں پیوں گا۔Nahi shukriya, mein abhi nahi piyoon ga.No thank you, I won't drink it right now.
- زینب Zainabکیا آپ کو بسکٹ چاہیے؟Kya aap ko biscuit chahiye?Do you want a biscuit?
- عمر Omarنہیں شکریہ، زینب۔Nahi shukriya, Zainab.No thank you, Zainab.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “no thank you” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries شکریہ, نہیں, CC BY-SA 4.0.
