Korean word

아니

Pronunciation

Romanizationani

Meaning

  • interjectionno

Example

아니, 잠깐만 기다려.a ni cham kkan man ki da ryeo

No, wait a moment.

Illustration for 아니 (no)

More examples

아니, 내가 한 게 아니야.a ni nae ga han ke a ni ya

No, it wasn't me.

Core concept

A brief pushback that stops an idea and replaces it with a correction.

Common phrases

  • 아니, 농담이지a ni nong da mi ji

    No, you're kidding

  • 아니, 왜 그래a ni wae keu rae

    No, what's wrong

Similar words

아니요aniyo: A respectful spoken no for turning down something or saying a claim is wrong.
아니에요anieyo: A polite expression for saying that a thing or statement is not so.
아니야aniya: A casual denial used with close friends when something is wrong or untrue.
아뇨anyo: A shortened spoken no whose tone can make a refusal sound gentle or firm.

Definition in Korean

상대의 말이나 사실을 짧게 부정하거나 반박할 때 쓰는 감탄사sang dae ui ma ri na sa si reul jjal kke pu jeong ha geo na pan ba kal ttae sseu neun kam tan sa

Word origin

The word is widely understood as a conversational shortening related to the Korean verb meaning not to be, making its link with denial easy to remember.

Usage tips

  • Its short form can sound blunt when used with older people or in formal settings, while it is natural among friends and children.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word