1. Introduction
In Korean culture, politeness and respect are highly valued in communication. Knowing how to say no in Korean politely is essential to navigate social interactions. This blog post will provide you with essential Korean phrases and cultural insights to decline offers graciously in various situations.
2. How to Say No in Korean with Basic Polite Expressions:
In Korean culture, politeness and respect are highly valued in communication. Knowing how to say no in Korean, which is “아니요” (Aniyo), is essential to navigate social interactions. This blog post will provide you with essential Korean phrases and cultural insights to decline offers graciously in various situations.
A: 이번 주말에 시간 있어요? B: 아니요, 이번 주말은 다른 약속이 있어요.
A: 이번 (i-beon) 주말에 (ju-ma-re) 시간 (si-gan) 있어요 (it-sseo-yo)? B: 아니요 (a-ni-yo), 이번 (i-beon) 주말은 (ju-ma-reun) 다른 (da-reun) 약속이 (yak-sso-gi) 있어요 (it-sseo-yo).
A: 이번 (this time) 주말 (weekend) 에 (in) 시간 (time) 있 (to have) 어요 (I’m asking you polite and friendly)? B: 아니요 (no), 이번 (this time) 주말 (weekend) 은 (as for) 다른 (other) 약속 (plan) 이 (my subject is other plan) 있 (to have) 어요 (I’m telling you polite and friendly).
A: Do you have time this weekend? B: No, I have other plans this weekend.
Lit. A: (Do you) have time in this weekend? B: No, as for this weekend, (I) have other plan.
A: 오늘 저녁에 식사 같이 할래요? B: 아니요, 오늘 저녁은 이미 다른 약속이 있어요.A: 오늘 (o-neul) 저녁에 (jeo-nyeo-ge) 식사 (sik-ssa) 같이 (ga-chi) 할래요 (hal-rae-yo)? B: 아니요 (a-ni-yo), 오늘 (o-neul) 저녁은 (jeo-nyeo-geun) 이미 (i-mi) 다른 (da-reun) 약속이 (yak-sso-gi) 있어요 (it-sseo-yo).
A: 오늘 (today) 저녁 (night) 에 (in) 식사 (meal) 같이 (together) 하 (to do) ㄹ래요 (would you like to)? B: 아니요 (no), 오늘 (today) 저녁 (night) 은 (as for) 이미 (already) 다른 (another) 약속 (appointment) 이 (my subject is another appointment) 있 (to exist) 어요 (I’m telling you polite and friendly). * 하 + ㄹ래요 = 할래요
A: Would you like to have a meal together tonight? B: No, I already have another appointment tonight.
Lit. A: Would you like to do meal together in today night? B: No, as for today night, already another appointment exist.
“아니에요” is akin to “아니요” in meaning, but it carries a slightly more formal and respectful tone. It is used to express negation, similar to saying “it is not.”
A: 이거 복숭아예요? B: 아니에요, 이건 자두예요.
A: 이거 (i-geo) 복숭아예요 (bok-ssung-a-ye-yo)? B: 아니에요 (a-ni-e-yo), 이건 (i-geon) 자두예요 (ja-du-ye-yo).
A: 이거 (this; colloquial style of 이것) 복숭아 (peach) 예요 (is; I’m asking you polite and friendly)? B: 아니에요 (it is not), 이거 (this; colloquial style of 이것) ㄴ (my topic is this, which you mentioned) 자두 (plum) 예요 (I’m telling you polite and friendly).
A: Is this a peach? B: No, this is a plum.
Lit. A: Is this peach? B: No, this is plum.
3. How to Say No in Korean with Casual Expressions:
“If you want to know how to say no in Korean, you can use the word ‘아니야’ (Aniya). This expression is used in a casual setting, often among close friends or people of the same age group.
When you need to decline something or say ‘no’ in an informal and friendly way, ‘아니야’ is the perfect choice. Remember to use this word appropriately depending on the situation and relationship with the person you’re speaking to.”
A: 이 영화 정말 재미있어? B: 아니야, 별로 재미없어.
A: 이 (i) 영화 (yeong-hwa) 정말 (jeong-mal) 재미있어 (jae-mi-it-sseo)? B: 아니야 (a-ni-ya), 별로 (byeol-ro) 재미없어 (jae-mi-eop-sseo).
A: 이 (this) 영화 (movie) 정말 (really) 재미있 (to be fun) 어 (is; I’m asking you casually)? B: 아니야 (no; in a casual way), 별로 (not really) 재미없 (to be not fun) 어 (is; I’m telling you casually).
A: Is this movie really fun? B: No, not really, it’s not enjoyable.
Lit. A: Is this movie really fun? B: No, not really, (it)’s not fun.
“아니” is the standard and commonly used Korean word for “no.” It is a simple and straightforward way to express negation or refusal. This word is used in various contexts, from everyday conversations to more formal situations.
A: 오늘 같이 쇼핑할래? B: 아니, 오늘은 조금 바빠서 못 가.
A: 오늘 (o-neul) 같이 (ga-chi) 쇼핑할래 (syo-ping-hal-rae)? B: 아니 (a-ni), 오늘은 (o-neu-reun) 조금 (jo-geum) 바빠서 (ba-bba-seo) 못 (mot) 가 (ga).
A: 오늘 (today) 같이 (together) 쇼핑하 (to go shopping) ㄹ래 (do you want; in a casual way)? B: 아니 (no; in a casual way), 오늘 (today) 은 (as for) 조금 (a bit) 바쁘 (to be busy) 아서 (so) 못 (can not) 가 (to go) 아 (am; I’m telling you casually). * 쇼핑하 + ㄹ래 = 쇼핑할래, * 바쁘 + 아서 = 바빠서, * 가 + 아 = 가,
A: Do you want to go shopping together today? B: No, I’m a bit busy today, so I can’t go.
Lit. A: Do you want to go shopping together today? B: No, as for today, (I)’m a bit busy, so (I) can’t go.
Conclusion
Learning how to say no in Korean politely is a valuable skill for effective communication in Korean culture. Politeness, respect, and cultural awareness are essential elements to navigate refusal gracefully. By incorporating the appropriate expressions and understanding cultural nuances, you can confidently decline offers while maintaining positive relationships.
Remember that communication is not solely about words, but also about understanding and respecting the cultural context of the language you are using. Practice these phrases, be mindful of the situation, and you’ll be well on your way to becoming a more effective communicator in Korean. Happy learning!
