no in korean
How to Say "No" in Korean (아니요 / 아니): Polite, Casual & Nuanced
아니요
aniyo
Quick answer
The most natural way to say no in Korean is 아니요 (aniyo) politely or 아니 (ani) casually.
Common forms
| Register | Hangul | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| polite | 아니요 | aniyo | The standard polite no — safe for most everyday situations. |
| casual | 아니 | ani | Casual no among friends — also used as a sentence starter meaning 'no, wait—' or 'actually...' |
| emphatic | 아니야 | aniya | Casual 'no, that's not it' or 'that's wrong' — common in K-drama arguments. |
| formal | 아닙니다 | animnida | Very formal denial — business, official, or respectful settings. |
How it changes by relationship
아니, 나 안 가.
Ani, na an ga.
to a friend (simple no): Casual, direct — telling a friend you're not going.
아니야! 그게 아니잖아!
Aniya! Geuge anijanh-a!
to a friend (denying something): Classic K-drama moment — emphatic denial between friends or partners.
아니요, 괜찮습니다.
Aniyo, gwaenchanseumnida.
to someone older / polite: Polite no + 'I'm fine' — a common way to decline offers gracefully.
아닙니다, 제가 한번 확인해보겠습니다.
Animnida, jega hanbeon hwagin-haebogesseumnida.
in formal / professional settings: Formal denial with a follow-up action.
Examples
아니요, 저는 괜찮아요.
Aniyo, jeoneun gwaenchanayo.
No, I'm okay.
아니, 그게 아니야.
Ani, geuge aniya.
No, that's not it.
아닙니다, 제 잘못이 아닙니다.
Animnida, je jalmos-i animnida.
No, it's not my fault.
Usage note
In Korean culture, a direct 'no' can sometimes feel blunt — Koreans often soften refusals by saying 괜찮아요 (gwaenchanayo, I'm fine/it's okay) or giving an excuse rather than a flat 아니요. Saying just 아니요 alone can come across as curt in some social situations.
Mini quiz
What is the primary Korean phrase for "no" here?
FAQ
Is 아니 rude?
Among friends, 아니 is perfectly natural. With elders or strangers, 아니요 is safer — 아니 alone can sound abrupt.
How do I politely refuse an offer?
괜찮아요 (gwaenchanayo) — literally 'I'm fine' — is the soft, common way to decline. It's less blunt than a direct no.
What does 아니야 mean?
아니야 (aniya) means 'no it isn't' or 'that's not right' — it's a casual correction, very common in K-drama arguments.