non se ne parla
In Italian, "no way" is translated as non se ne parla.
The phrase non se ne parla is used to express a firm, often categorical refusal to consider a suggestion or a situation.
Meaning: absolutely not (intj)
Which one should you use?
You can also use the informal expression nemmeno per sogno, which literally means "not even in a dream".
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase non se ne parla uses an impersonal construction (se ne parla) to indicate that the topic is not even up for discussion. You can strengthen this refusal by adding nemmeno (not even) to the end, creating non se ne parla nemmeno, which means "no way at all" or "not even a mention of it".
Did you know?
- Even though 'no way' is often used to express shock in English, non se ne parla is strictly used for refusals and cannot be used to express disbelief or surprise.
- While non se ne parla is a firm refusal, Italians may accompany the phrase with a sharp upward flick of the chin or a hand gesture to emphasize that the conversation is officially closed.
- Depending on the region, an Italian might replace non se ne parla with a simple, loud ma va!, which literally means 'go on' but functions as 'no way' when expressing disbelief.
Examples in context
- Quando ero nel grembo di mia madre, guardavo attraverso l'ombelico di mia madre la casa in cui sarei nato e pensavo: "Non se ne parla nemmeno di andare lì".When I was inside my mother's womb, I looked through my mother's navel at the house where I would be born and I thought: "No way I'm going there".This sentence shows how to use non se ne parla to express a strong refusal to go somewhere.Tatoeba #2020781 by Guybrush88, translation #589610 by Scott
- Il mio capo mi ha chiesto di lavorare il weekend, ma assolutamente no. Ho già dei piani.My boss asked me to work on the weekend, but absolutely not. I already have plans.
- Ho ricevuto la richiesta di partecipare a una riunione di lavoro domani mattina, ma decisamente no. Ho altri impegni.I received a request to attend a work meeting tomorrow morning, but definitely not. I have other commitments.
- Vuoi farmi mangiare broccoli? Nemmeno per sogno!You want me to eat broccoli? Not even in a dream!
- Mi hai visto ballare? Mica per niente. Non ho talento.Did you see me dance? No way. I have no talent.
- Vuoi vendere la tua macchina? Non se ne parla!Do you want to sell your car? No way!
- Chiedermi di uscire con lui? Non se ne parla.Asking me to go out with him? Absolutely not.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Francesco is asking Sofia to lend him her car.
- FrancescoMi presti la tua macchina stasera?Will you lend me your car tonight?
- SofiaNo, non se ne parla!No, no way!
- FrancescoTi prego, sarò molto attento.Please, I will be very careful.
- SofiaNon importa, la risposta è no.It doesn't matter, the answer is no.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
