nì
/ˈni/
The Italian word nì is used to express 'yes and no', indicating that there is no simple 'yes' or 'no' answer to a question.
Meaning: indicating there is no simple "yes" or "no" answer (phrase)
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈni/.
Did you know?
- The word nì is a linguistic hybrid, created by blending the sounds of sì and no together.
- Using nì can sometimes sound quite whimsical or even childish because it is a clipped, informal construction.
- While nì exists in the dictionary, it is rarely used in spoken conversation and is often perceived as a playful or ironic choice of words.
Examples in context
- Certo!Sure!
- È una domanda a cui si può rispondere nì.It is a question that can be answered with yes and no.
- La risposta è nì, dipende dal punto di vista.The answer is yes and no, it depends on the point of view.
- Se mi chiedi se mi piace, ti dico nì.If you ask me if I like it, I'll say yes and no.
Example conversation
Francesco and Martina are discussing whether a movie was good.
- FrancescoTi è piaciuto il film?Did you like the movie?
- MartinaDirei nì, la trama era un po' lenta.I would say yes and no, the plot was a bit slow.
- FrancescoQuindi lo consiglieresti?So would you recommend it?
- MartinaSolo se hai molto tempo libero.Only if you have a lot of free time.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “yes and no” translations and entries nì, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries nì, CC BY-SA 4.0.
