oh non
/o nɔ̃/
The English phrase "oh no" is translated into French as oh non.
oh non is used as an exclamation of alarm.
Meaning: exclamation of alarm (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a literal translation where oh is an interjection and non means "no".
Which one should you use?
While oh non is an exclamation used when alarmed, the word non on its own is simply the standard word for the negative response "no".
How do you pronounce it?
/o nɔ̃/
Did you know?
- To express a stronger 'oh no' without swearing, French speakers often use la vache, which literally translates to 'the cow'.
- The word non shares a root with the English word 'none', as both derive from the Latin 'nōn'.
- While English speakers use 'oh no' for many situations, a French person might use oh là là to express a similar sense of alarm or shock.
Examples in context
- Oh non, pas encore !Oh no, not again!This sentence shows how to use oh non when expressing that something is happening again.Tatoeba #1233964 by sacredceltic, translation #1553095 by marcelostockle
- Oh non, mon passeport a disparu.Oh, no! My passport has disappeared.This sentence illustrates using oh non when realizing something important is missing.Tatoeba #3668556 by THURET, translation #3668958 by Shereen
- Oh non, tu as révélé notre secret !Oh no, you have revealed our secret!This sentence demonstrates using oh non when a secret is revealed.Tatoeba #4470853 by Petrus, translation #4468872 by jakob
- 15 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Gabriel are in the kitchen when they notice a broken plate.
- LéaOh non, j'ai cassé une assiette !Oh no, I broke a plate!
- GabrielFais attention, Léa, tu pourrais te couper.Be careful, Léa, you could cut yourself.
- LéaOh non, il y a des morceaux partout.Oh no, there are pieces everywhere.
- GabrielNe t'inquiète pas, je vais ramasser ça.Don't worry, I will clean this up.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry oh non, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries non, oh, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
