How to say 'no' in French
We saw a few weeks ago that we have over 20 different ways to nuance the yes in French. We’re going to see today that you can also nuance the no. We will review the synonyms we use the most as French native speakers and the mistakes to avoid !
![how to say no in french_ how to say no in french](https://www.frenchwithagnes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/how-to-say-no-in-french_-700x400.jpg)
The most common ways to say no in French
- Absolument pas = absolutely not, certainly not
ex : Ce scénario-catastrophe ne s’est absolument pas réalisé = But in fact that disaster scenario has not happened at all
ex : Les résultats de cette opération ne sont absolument pas garantis = The results of this operation are not guaranteed
- Bien sûr que non = of course not
ex : Bien sûr que non, il n’y a pas que des mauvaises nouvelles aujourd’hui = Of course not, it’s not all bad news today
- Dans tes rêves / tu rêves ! = in your dreams
ex : Est-ce que tu peux me prêter 100 euros ? Can you lend me 100 euros ?
Dans tes rêves ! You’re dreaming! (no way)
- Malheureusement non = unfortunately not
ex : Pourrais-tu m’aider le weekend prochain ? Could you help me next weekend ?
Malheureusement non, je suis en vacances dans les Alpes. Unfortunately no, am on holidays in the Alps
- Impossible = impossible
ex : J’ai vu ton frère au supermarché ce matin. I saw your brother in the supermarket this morning
Impossible, il est en Allemagne depuis un mois ! It’s not possible, he’s been in Germany for a month
![how to say no in french how to say no in french](https://www.frenchwithagnes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/how-to-say-no-in-french-1.jpg)
Other synonyms of the no in French
- Jamais = never
ex : Est-ce que tu as déjà été au Népal ? = Have you been to Nepal ?
Jamais, non = No, never
- Oh non ! = oh no ! (disappointed)
ex : Le concert de ce soir a été annulé = The concert for tonight has been cancelled
Oh non !! = Oh no !! (what a pity)
- Nan = nope, speaking no
ex : Est-ce que tu as vu maman ? = Have you seen mum ?
Nan (je ne l’ai pas vu) = nope (I haven’t seen her)
- No way = out of question, impossible
ex : Tu penses qu’ils vont se remettre ensemble ? = Do you think they will get back together ?
No way, ça m’étonnerait bien = no chance, I really don’t think so
- Non merci = no thanks (usual form)
Ex: Voulez-vous un verre de jus de fruits ? = Would you like a glass of fruit juice?
Non merci = No thanks (I don’t want any juice)
- Non merci, c’est gentil = no thanks, that’s nice
Ex: Est-ce que vous avez besoin d’aide = Do you need some help ?
Non merci, c’est gentil = No thanks, that’s nice (of you to offer)
- Non merci, ça sera tout = no thanks, that’ll be all (polite way to decline an offer or to use in a shop)
Ex: Souhaiteriez-vous autre chose ? = Would like something else ?
Non merci, ça sera tout = No thanks, that’ll be all
- Non plus = not that either
Ex: On ne comprend pas vraiment non plus = We don’t understand it, either
Ex : Elle n’a pas dit oui. Mais elle n’a pas non plus rejeté cette proposition = She didn’t say yes. But neither did she reject this offer.
![say no in french say no in french](https://www.frenchwithagnes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/say-no-in-french.jpg)
- Nope = nan
Ex: Est-ce que tu as déjà vu ce film ? = Have you ever seen this movie?
Nope = Nan, not really
- Pas encore = not yet
Ex: : As-tu terminé tes devoirs ? = Have you done your homework?
Pas encore, j’étais très occupé hier soir = Not yet, I was very busy last night
- Pas maintenant = not now
Ex: As-tu le temps de m’aider à mettre la table ? = Do you have time to help me set the table?
Pas maintenant, je suis au téléphone = Not now, I am on the phone
- Pas question / Hors de question / Il n’en est pas question = out of the question
Ex : Est-ce que tu veux faire les montagnes russes avec moi ? = Do you want to ride the rollercoaster with me ?
Il n’en est pas question. Je suis malade dans les manèges rapides ! = It is out of the question. I’m sick in fast rides !
- Pas vraiment = not really
Ex : Aimes-tu les pêches ? = Do you like peaches ?
Pas vraiment, je préfère les pommes. = Not really, I prefer apples.
- Peut-être, on verra = soft no, maybe later, we’ll see. In reality, it’s a nice way to decline
Ex: Nous pourrions prendre un café aujourd’hui ? = We could go get coffee today ?
Peut-être, on verra plus tard = Maybe, we’ll see later
- Plus maintenant = no longer
Ex: Est-ce que tu joues toujours au tennis ? = Do you still play tennis?
Plus maintenant, je joue plutôt au football. = No longer / not anymore, I am now playing soccer.
- Stop = stop, I say no
Ex: Est-ce tu veux sortir avec moi ce soir ? Do you want to go out with me tonight ?
Stop, je t’ai déjà dit non plusieurs fois ! Stop it now, I’ve already said no several times
- Tu plaisantes ! = Are you kidding me ? I hope it’s a joke
Ex: Est-ce tu pourrais me prêter 2 000 euros ? Could you lend me 2 000 euros ?
Tu plaisantes ! Je n’ai pas cet argent. Are you kidding me ? I don’t have this money.
![no in french no in french](https://www.frenchwithagnes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/no-in-french.jpg)
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