нет
net[nʲet]
Nyet is the English spelling of the Russian word for no, written нет (net) in Russian.
нет is the everyday way to say no, refuse something or disagree. It also means there is no or there are no when it comes before a noun.
Which one should you use?
To soften a refusal in formal situations, people say Извините, но нет, I'm sorry, but no or К сожалению, нет, unfortunately, no. Among friends you may hear Не-а, a relaxed short version or Не, спасибо, no, thank you.
How does it change in a sentence?
When нет means there is no, the noun after it goes into the genitive case.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is net, which sounds close to the English word net.
Did you know?
- The word нет is historically a contraction of не ('not') and ту ('there'), effectively meaning 'it is not there'.
- Russians may use the word нет to express a 'no' that actually means 'yes' or 'maybe' during social flirting or polite bargaining, depending on the intonation.
- In Russian, saying нет is often perceived as too blunt for a polite refusal. To be softer, Russians often use the phrase я не могу, meaning 'I cannot', even if they are physically able to do the task.
Examples in context
- Извините, но нет. Я только начинаю изучать русский язык.I'm sorry, but no. I'm just starting to learn Russian.
- Не-а, спасибо. У меня уже другие планы.No, thanks. I already have other plans.
- Нет, я не хочу идти.Net, ya ne khochu idti.No, I don't want to go.
- Нет, это не мой телефон.Net, eto ne moy telefon.No, that is not my phone.
- Нет, я еще не завтракал.Net, ya yeshchyo ne zavtrakal.No, I haven't eaten breakfast yet.
Example conversation
Aleksandr asks Maria if she wants some tea.
- Мария MariaХочешь чаю, Мария?Khochesh' chayu, Mariya?Do you want some tea, Maria?
- Александр AleksandrНет, спасибо, Александр.Net, spasibo, Aleksandr.No, thank you, Aleksandr.
- Мария MariaА сок ты хочешь?A sok ty khochesh'?And do you want some juice?
- Александр AleksandrНет, я не хочу пить.Net, ya ne khochu pit'.No, I don't want to drink.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry нет, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries нет, CC BY-SA 4.0.
