아니요
aniyo
no (polite/standard)
아니
ani
no / not (casual)
아니요 vs 아니: Saying "No" Politely and Casually in Korean
아니요 (aniyo) is the standard polite form of "no" used in most social settings, while 아니 (ani) is the casual form restricted to close friends, family, or informal speech (반말).
Side-by-Side Comparison
| 아니요 (aniyo) | 아니 (ani) | |
|---|---|---|
| Politeness Level | Polite — appropriate with strangers, seniors, and in formal contexts | Casual — used with close friends, younger people, 반말 speech |
| Base Form | 아니 + polite sentence-final marker (요) → 아니요 | 아니 (base, used as-is in casual speech) |
| Used As Interjection | 아니요 can open a corrective response politely | 아니 can express surprise or mild protest: 아니, 그게 아니라! |
| In Negative Sentences | 아니요 stands alone; negation in sentences uses 안 or -지 않다 | 아니 is also part of 아니다 (to not be), used in 이건 사과가 아니야 |
| Tone | Respectful, clear denial | Blunt if used with the wrong person; natural among peers |
Examples in Context
A cashier asks if you have a loyalty card — using 아니요
아니요, 없어요.
No, I don't have one.
Politely correcting a misunderstanding — using 아니요
아니요, 제가 주문한 게 아니에요.
No, that's not what I ordered.
Your friend asks if you're hungry — using 아니
아니, 나 배 안 고파.
No, I'm not hungry.
Reacting with surprise to something unexpected — using 아니
아니, 진짜야?
No way, really?
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ✗Using 아니 when talking to a teacher, boss, or elder — this is seen as disrespectful; use 아니요
- ✗Confusing standalone 아니요 with 아니다 (to not be) — 이건 책이 아니에요 (this is not a book) uses 아니다, not just 아니요
- ✗Saying 아니요 to refuse an offer when 괜찮아요 (I'm fine, no thank you) is more natural and polite in Korean culture
- ✗Thinking 아니 is rude in all contexts — it is perfectly normal and warm among close friends or family
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Koreans sometimes say 아니 in a surprised tone even without disagreeing?
아니 can function as an exclamation expressing surprise, disbelief, or mild protest — similar to "what" or "no way" in English. Context and intonation reveal the intended meaning.
How do I politely refuse an offer in Korean?
Rather than a direct 아니요, Koreans often soften refusals: 괜찮아요 (I'm okay, no thank you) or 됐어요 (it's alright, I'm fine). A bare 아니요 can sound abrupt in social situations.
Is 아니오 a spelling variant of 아니요?
아니오 is an older or regional form. The standard spelling per the National Institute of Korean Language is 아니요, so use that in all modern writing and formal contexts.
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