Meaning
아니요
aniyo
no / it is not
Real Feeling
What Koreans really mean
This is a polite and formal-ish way to say no, suitable for most situations, especially with strangers or elders. While not overly formal, it's safer than '아니' in situations where politeness is expected. It's also frequently used to negate a previous statement, meaning 'that's not right' or 'no, it's not like that.'
💬 Used in real life
• Said when a cashier asks if you need a bag and you don't.
• Used when someone asks if you're busy, and you're not, indicating availability.
How It's Used
Real example sentences — tap any bubble to explore it
Similar Expressions
Related feelings and meanings — click to explore
Grammar Breakdown
Part by part — learn the structure, not just the meaning
아니-ani-adjective stem
adjective stem
The base form of the adjective 'to not be / to be incorrect'.
-요-yopolite suffix
polite suffix
A polite suffix that makes a statement or question polite, but not overly formal.
Tags
Korean expressions carry layers of meaning that direct translation misses. The real meaning lives in the emotion, context, and cultural moment.
Heard another Korean expression?
Decode it instantly — or tell us what you want to say.