Meaning
A basic negative response, used to disagree or decline.
Cultural Background
Saying 'No' directly can be seen as aggressive. People often use '아니요' followed by an excuse or '괜찮아요' (It's okay) to soften the impact. In meetings, a subordinate will rarely say '아니요' to a boss. They might say '그것도 맞지만...' (That's also true, but...) to avoid a direct 'No'. Younger Koreans use 'ㄴㄴ' or 'ㄴ' to say no quickly. However, using this with an older person or a boss is considered extremely disrespectful. When offered food at a Korean home, it is polite to say '아니요' (No thank you) at least once before accepting, to show you aren't greedy. This is part of 'Chemyeon' (saving face).
The Smile Rule
When saying '아니요' to decline something, always accompany it with a small smile or a slight bow to ensure it doesn't sound cold.
The Banmal Trap
Never use '아니' with someone older than you, even if they use informal language with you. Always stick to '아니요'.
Meaning
A basic negative response, used to disagree or decline.
The Smile Rule
When saying '아니요' to decline something, always accompany it with a small smile or a slight bow to ensure it doesn't sound cold.
The Banmal Trap
Never use '아니' with someone older than you, even if they use informal language with you. Always stick to '아니요'.
The 'Logic Flip'
Practice answering negative questions. If someone asks 'You're not hungry?', and you AREN'T hungry, say '네' (Yes, I'm not). If you ARE hungry, say '아니요' (No, I am).
Humble Negation
If someone praises your Korean, saying '아니요' is more natural than saying 'Thank you'. It shows you are humble.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct polite response to: '한국 사람이에요?' (Are you Korean?)
A: 한국 사람이에요? B: ________, 미국 사람이에요.
'아니요' is the correct polite standalone 'No'. '아니' is informal, '네' is 'Yes', and '아니에요' is a verb.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural polite refusal.
점원: 커피 더 드릴까요? (Waiter: Shall I give you more coffee?) 손님: ________, 괜찮아요. (Customer: ________, it's okay.)
In a restaurant, '아니요' is the most natural and common polite response.
Match the form of 'No' to the person you are talking to.
1. Your Boss, 2. A younger sibling, 3. A stranger on the bus
Boss requires formal (아닙니다), sibling is informal (아니), and a stranger is polite (아니요).
Fill in the blank to correct the statement: '이것은 사과예요?' (Is this an apple?)
아니요, 사과가 ________.
After saying '아니요' (No), you need the verb '아니에요' (is not) to complete the sentence.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
The Spectrum of No
Practice Bank
4 exercisesA: 한국 사람이에요? B: ________, 미국 사람이에요.
'아니요' is the correct polite standalone 'No'. '아니' is informal, '네' is 'Yes', and '아니에요' is a verb.
점원: 커피 더 드릴까요? (Waiter: Shall I give you more coffee?) 손님: ________, 괜찮아요. (Customer: ________, it's okay.)
In a restaurant, '아니요' is the most natural and common polite response.
1. Your Boss, 2. A younger sibling, 3. A stranger on the bus
Boss requires formal (아닙니다), sibling is informal (아니), and a stranger is polite (아니요).
아니요, 사과가 ________.
After saying '아니요' (No), you need the verb '아니에요' (is not) to complete the sentence.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsMostly, but it's more polite and its logic changes when answering negative questions.
Only with close friends or people younger than you. Otherwise, it's rude.
'아니요' is 'No'. '아니에요' is 'It is not'.
They are agreeing with a negative statement. 'Yes, what you said (that I don't want it) is correct'.
No, it's a standard contraction used in polite spoken Korean.
Use '아닙니다' or a more indirect phrase like '죄송하지만...' (I'm sorry but...).
No, it is a native Korean word, though the concept of negation is {부정|否定}.
Yes, it is perfectly appropriate for professional but friendly emails.
You can say '말도 안 돼요!' or a very surprised '아니요?!'.
Yes, '아니요, 아니요' is a common way to politely and insistently decline something.
Related Phrases
아닙니다
specialized formVery formal 'No'
아니에요
builds onIt is not / You're welcome
글쎄요
similarWell... / I'm not sure
괜찮아요
similarIt's okay / No thank you
절대로 아니요
specialized formAbsolutely not
아니긴요
contrastNot at all (humbly)
