그렇기도 하고 아니기도 하고
geureokido hago anigido hago
The English phrase "yes and no" is expressed in Korean as 그렇기도 하고 아니기도 하고 (geureokido hago anigido hago). Wiktionary also lists 네니요 (neniyo).
Meaning: indicating there is no simple "yes" or "no" answer (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 그렇기도 하고 아니기도 하고 | geureokido hago anigido hago | |
| 네니요 | neniyo | nonstandard |
This phrase is used to indicate that there is no simple "yes" or "no" answer to a question.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a combination of the verb 그렇다 (to be so), the particle -기도 하다 (to also do/be) and the negative form 아니기도 하다 (to also not be).
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the standard phrase 그렇기도 하고 아니기도 하고 a complete sentence in polite speech, you should add the polite ending -해요 to the final verb, resulting in 그렇기도 하고 아니기도 해요.
How do you pronounce it?
geureokido hago anigido hago
Did you know?
- Korean possesses a unique 'ambiguity' in communication known as nunchi. This is the art of reading the room, meaning the listener must often determine if 그렇기도 하고 아니기도 해요 actually means 'no' based on the speaker's tone and context.
- The word 아니 inside this phrase is the root for the word 'ani', which in many contexts can be used as a sharp exclamation to express surprise or even a mild reprimand.
- In a business setting, instead of this long phrase, a Korean professional might use the word 글쎄요 (geulsseyo), which functions as a 'hesitant yes and no' to signal that they need more time to think.
Examples in context
- 네, 좋습니다Yes, it's good
- 아니오, 죄송합니다No, I'm sorry
- 그렇기도 하고 아니기도 하고 좀 복잡해요.geureotgido hago anigido hago jom bokjaphaeyo.It is both yes and no, it's a bit complicated.
- 그 질문에는 그렇기도 하고 아니기도 하고 답하기 어렵네요.geu jilmuneneun geureotgido hago anigido hago dap-hagi eoryeopneyo.It is hard to answer that question with a yes or no.
- 그게 그렇기도 하고 아니기도 하고 상황에 따라 달라요.geuge geureotgido hago anigido hago sanghwange ttara dallayo.It is both yes and no, it depends on the situation.
Example conversation
Minjun asks Minji if she likes her new job.
- 민준 Min-jun민지 씨, 새 직장은 마음에 들어요?Minji ssi, sae jikjang-eun maeume deureoyo?Minji, do you like your new job?
- 민지 Min-ji그렇기도 하고 아니기도 하고, 할 말이 많아요.geureotgido hago anigido hago, hal mari manhayo.It's both yes and no, I have a lot to say.
- 민준 Min-jun힘든 점이 그렇게 많아요?himdeun jeomi geureoke manhayo?Are there that many difficult parts?
- 민지 Min-ji좋은 점도 있지만 조금 복잡해요.joeun jeomdo itjiman jogeum bokjaphaeyo.There are good parts, but it's a bit complicated.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “yes and no” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
