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 βμλμβ (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: μ΄λ² μ£Όλ§μ μκ° μμ΄μ? B: μλμ, μ΄λ² μ£Όλ§μ λ€λ₯Έ μ½μμ΄ μμ΄μ.
A: μ΄λ² (i-beon) μ£Όλ§μ (ju-ma-re) μκ° (si-gan) μμ΄μ (it-sseo-yo)? B: μλμ (a-ni-yo), μ΄λ² (i-beon) μ£Όλ§μ (ju-ma-reun) λ€λ₯Έ (da-reun) μ½μμ΄ (yak-sso-gi) μμ΄μ (it-sseo-yo).
A: μ΄λ² (this time) μ£Όλ§ (weekend) μ (in) μκ° (time) μ (to have) μ΄μ (Iβm asking you polite and friendly)? B: μλμ (no), μ΄λ² (this time) μ£Όλ§ (weekend) μ (as for) λ€λ₯Έ (other) μ½μ (plan) μ΄ (my subject is other plan) μ (to have) μ΄μ (Iβm 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: μ€λ μ λ μ μμ¬ κ°μ΄ ν λμ? B: μλμ, μ€λ μ λ μ μ΄λ―Έ λ€λ₯Έ μ½μμ΄ μμ΄μ.A: μ€λ (o-neul) μ λ μ (jeo-nyeo-ge) μμ¬ (sik-ssa) κ°μ΄ (ga-chi) ν λμ (hal-rae-yo)? B: μλμ (a-ni-yo), μ€λ (o-neul) μ λ μ (jeo-nyeo-geun) μ΄λ―Έ (i-mi) λ€λ₯Έ (da-reun) μ½μμ΄ (yak-sso-gi) μμ΄μ (it-sseo-yo).
A: μ€λ (today) μ λ (night) μ (in) μμ¬ (meal) κ°μ΄ (together) ν (to do) γΉλμ (would you like to)? B: μλμ (no), μ€λ (today) μ λ (night) μ (as for) μ΄λ―Έ (already) λ€λ₯Έ (another) μ½μ (appointment) μ΄ (my subject is another appointment) μ (to exist) μ΄μ (Iβm telling you polite and friendly). * ν + γΉλμ = ν λμ
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.
βμλμμβ is akin to βμλμβ in meaning, but it carries a slightly more formal and respectful tone. It is used to express negation, similar to saying βit is not.β
A: μ΄κ±° 볡μμμμ? B: μλμμ, μ΄κ±΄ μλμμ.
A: μ΄κ±° (i-geo) 볡μμμμ (bok-ssung-a-ye-yo)? B: μλμμ (a-ni-e-yo), μ΄κ±΄ (i-geon) μλμμ (ja-du-ye-yo).
A: μ΄κ±° (this; colloquial style of μ΄κ²) 볡μμ (peach) μμ (is; Iβm asking you polite and friendly)? B: μλμμ (it is not), μ΄κ±° (this; colloquial style of μ΄κ²) γ΄ (my topic is this, which you mentioned) μλ (plum) μμ (Iβm 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:
βIf you want to know how to say no in Korean, you can use the word βμλμΌβ (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 βnoβ in an informal and friendly way, βμλμΌβ is the perfect choice. Remember to use this word appropriately depending on the situation and relationship with the person youβre speaking to.β
A: μ΄ μν μ λ§ μ¬λ―Έμμ΄? B: μλμΌ, λ³λ‘ μ¬λ―Έμμ΄.
A: μ΄ (i) μν (yeong-hwa) μ λ§ (jeong-mal) μ¬λ―Έμμ΄ (jae-mi-it-sseo)? B: μλμΌ (a-ni-ya), λ³λ‘ (byeol-ro) μ¬λ―Έμμ΄ (jae-mi-eop-sseo).
A: μ΄ (this) μν (movie) μ λ§ (really) μ¬λ―Έμ (to be fun) μ΄ (is; Iβm asking you casually)? B: μλμΌ (no; in a casual way), λ³λ‘ (not really) μ¬λ―Έμ (to be not fun) μ΄ (is; Iβm telling you casually).
A: Is this movie really fun? B: No, not really, itβs not enjoyable.
Lit. A: Is this movie really fun? B: No, not really, (it)βs not fun.
βμλβ is the standard and commonly used Korean word for βno.β 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: μ€λ κ°μ΄ μΌνν λ? B: μλ, μ€λμ μ‘°κΈ λ°λΉ μ λͺ» κ°.
A: μ€λ (o-neul) κ°μ΄ (ga-chi) μΌνν λ (syo-ping-hal-rae)? B: μλ (a-ni), μ€λμ (o-neu-reun) μ‘°κΈ (jo-geum) λ°λΉ μ (ba-bba-seo) λͺ» (mot) κ° (ga).
A: μ€λ (today) κ°μ΄ (together) μΌνν (to go shopping) γΉλ (do you want; in a casual way)? B: μλ (no; in a casual way), μ€λ (today) μ (as for) μ‘°κΈ (a bit) λ°μ (to be busy) μμ (so) λͺ» (can not) κ° (to go) μ (am; Iβm telling you casually). * μΌνν + γΉλ = μΌνν λ, * λ°μ + μμ = λ°λΉ μ, * κ° + μ = κ°,
A: Do you want to go shopping together today? B: No, Iβm a bit busy today, so I canβt go.
Lit. A: Do you want to go shopping together today? B: No, as for today, (I)βm a bit busy, so (I) canβt 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 youβll be well on your way to becoming a more effective communicator in Korean. Happy learning!
