Significado
A simple negative response, meaning 'no'.
Contexto cultural
Saying 'no' directly can sometimes be seen as aggressive. Koreans often use 'softeners' like '아니요, 조금...' (No, a little...) or '아니요, 괜찮습니다' (No, I'm fine) to maintain social harmony. In meetings, a subordinate will rarely say a flat '아니요' to a boss. They might say '아니요' but immediately follow it with a long explanation or use a more indirect phrase like '생각해 보겠습니다' (I will think about it). Young people use 'ㄴㄴ' or 'ㄴ' as a quick way to say no. It's very informal and should only be used with close friends on apps like KakaoTalk. When receiving a gift or a compliment, it is traditional to say '아니요' at least once or twice before accepting it, to show that you are not greedy or conceited.
The 'Yo' Rule
If you are ever in doubt, add '요' to the end of '아니'. It's the safest way to avoid being rude.
Negative Questions
Be very careful! If someone asks 'You don't like it?', saying '아니요' means you DO like it. This is the #1 mistake for beginners.
Significado
A simple negative response, meaning 'no'.
The 'Yo' Rule
If you are ever in doubt, add '요' to the end of '아니'. It's the safest way to avoid being rude.
Negative Questions
Be very careful! If someone asks 'You don't like it?', saying '아니요' means you DO like it. This is the #1 mistake for beginners.
Softening the No
Always follow '아니요' with '괜찮아요' or '죄송합니다' when declining an offer to sound like a native speaker.
Modesty
Use '아니요' when someone praises you. It shows you are humble, which is a highly valued trait in Korea.
Ponte a prueba
You are talking to your Korean teacher. They ask if you have finished your homework, but you haven't. Which is the most appropriate response?
선생님: 숙제 다 했어요? (Teacher: Did you do all your homework?)
'아니요' is the polite form suitable for a teacher. '아니' is too casual, and 'ㄴㄴ' is slang.
Complete the dialogue with a polite refusal.
A: 커피 한 잔 더 하실래요? (Would you like another cup of coffee?) B: ________, 괜찮아요.
To decline an offer politely, use '아니요' followed by '괜찮아요'.
Match the response to the situation.
Situation: A stranger asks if you are a local, but you are a tourist.
'아니요' is used to correct the stranger, followed by the correct information.
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'no' for a business meeting.
질문 있으십니까? (Do you have any questions?) ______, 없습니다.
In a formal business setting ('-습니까' style), '아닙니다' is the most appropriate formal response.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Formality Levels of 'No'
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejercicios선생님: 숙제 다 했어요? (Teacher: Did you do all your homework?)
'아니요' is the polite form suitable for a teacher. '아니' is too casual, and 'ㄴㄴ' is slang.
A: 커피 한 잔 더 하실래요? (Would you like another cup of coffee?) B: ________, 괜찮아요.
To decline an offer politely, use '아니요' followed by '괜찮아요'.
Situation: A stranger asks if you are a local, but you are a tourist.
'아니요' is used to correct the stranger, followed by the correct information.
질문 있으십니까? (Do you have any questions?) ______, 없습니다.
In a formal business setting ('-습니까' style), '아닙니다' is the most appropriate formal response.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasMostly, but the logic for negative questions is different, and it carries a specific polite tone that English 'No' lacks.
Only with close friends or people younger than you. Using it with strangers or elders is considered rude.
'아니요' is polite-informal (standard), while '아닙니다' is very formal (business/military).
You can use '아니요', the shorter '아뇨', or the slang 'ㄴㄴ' with friends.
It's a cultural practice of modesty. They aren't actually disagreeing with you; they are being humble.
In modern speech, yes. It's an old-fashioned form you'll mostly see in historical movies.
No, it is a pure Korean word.
Say '아니요, 괜찮아요' (No, it's okay) or '아니요, 감사합니다' (No, thank you).
No, but the related phrase '아니에요' is often used to mean 'It's nothing/You're welcome'.
You can say '말도 안 돼요!' (That doesn't even make sense!) or '절대 아니요!' (Absolutely no!).
Frases relacionadas
아니에요
builds onIt is not / You're welcome
아닙니다
specialized formNo (Formal)
괜찮아요
similarIt's okay
글쎄요
similarWell... / I'm not sure
전혀요
specialized formNot at all
