ううん
uun[m̩ː˦˨˦]
The Japanese phrase for "nope" is ううん (uun).
ううん is used as an informal particle to express a negative response, effectively meaning "no" or "nope."
Meaning: informal "no" (particle)
Which one should you use?
ううん is an informal way to say "no", whereas いいえ is the standard and more polite way to say it.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
uun
Did you know?
- A common mistake for beginners is confusing ううん with うん, which is the most common informal way to say 'yeah'.
- The phrase ううん can be written in Katakana as ウウン to give it a more blunt, sharp, or almost robotic feeling in text messages.
- In manga, the word ううん is often accompanied by a specific visual shorthand of two small, horizontal lines near the mouth to indicate a mumbled or casual refusal.
Examples in context
- Kekkou desu (結構です)I'm fine or No, thank you
- Muri (無理)Impossible or out of the question
- Chotto (ちょっと)A little or not really
- ううん、まだ食べてないよ。Uun, mada tabetenai yo.Nope, I haven't eaten yet.
- ううん、大丈夫だよ。Uun, daijoubu da yo.Nope, I'm fine.
- ううん、全然知らない。Uun, zenzen shiranai.Nope, I have no idea.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about whether a movie was scary.
- 結衣 Yuiあの映画、怖かった？Ano eiga, kowakatta?Was that movie scary?
- 蓮 Renううん、全然。Uun, zenzen.Nope, not at all.
- 結衣 Yui蓮は怖くないんだね。Ren wa kowakunai nda ne.You weren't scared, Ren.
- 蓮 Renそうだよ。Sou da yo.That's right.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “nope” translations and entries ううん, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
