What is no? Pronunciation and usage in English

no means . Learn how to pronounce and use no through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of no

noresidual/noun

/nəʊ/
Definition & pronunciation of no

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "no" in English. It's actually a little trickier than it looks because it has two common pronunciations, depending on the context.

1. The Short "No" (Most Common - Negative Response)

  • Sound: This is the "no" you use when you're saying "no" as a simple refusal or denial. It’s a very clipped, quick sound.
  • Pronunciation: It's pronounced like "nō" (rhymes with "go").
    • Emphasis: The emphasis is on the first syllable ("n").
    • Vowel: The vowel sound is a short "o" – like in the word "hot" or "pot."
  • How to say it: Try saying "nō" quickly and clearly. Think of it as a very brief, decisive "no."

2. The Longer "No" (More Formal or Emphatic)

  • Sound: This "no" is used when you’re being more forceful, emphatic, or in a more formal situation.
  • Pronunciation: It’s pronounced like "nah" (rhymes with "father").
    • Emphasis: The emphasis is on the first syllable ("nah").
    • Vowel: The vowel sound is a longer, more drawn-out "a" – like in the word "father" or "car."
  • How to say it: Say “nah” with a slightly more deliberate and forceful tone.

Here's a table to summarize:

Pronunciation Sound Rhymes With Emphasis Use
"nō" nō go First syllable Simple refusal, quick denial
"nah" nah father First syllable More emphatic, formal, forceful

Resources to help you hear the difference:

  • Google Search: Just search "how to pronounce 'no' in English" on Google, and you'll find audio examples.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/no/ - This website lets you hear native speakers pronounce the word in different accents.

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of 'no' are you trying to say? (e.g., "No, thank you." or “No way!”)

Usage and examples with the word no in English

Let's break down how to use the word "no" in English! It's surprisingly versatile and can be used in many different ways. Here's a breakdown, categorized for clarity:

1. Basic Negative Response:

  • Simple Denial: This is the most common usage – to clearly say "no."
    • "Do you want some cake?" "No, thank you."
    • "Can you come to the party?" "No." (Short and direct)

2. More Formal Negative Responses:

  • Polite Refusal: This is a more courteous way to say no, often used with people you don't know well or in professional situations.
    • “Would you like to join us for dinner?” “No, thank you very much.”
    • “Could you please submit the report by Friday?” “No, unfortunately, that’s not possible.”

3. Expressing Disagreement:

  • Disagreeing with an Opinion or Idea: "No" can express disagreement with something someone has said.
    • "I think it's a good idea to go to the beach." "No, I don't think so."
    • "He said he was going to finish the project today." "No, he told me he wouldn’t be able to."

4. Refusing a Request (More Strong):

  • Firmly Declining: Using “no” strongly can indicate you won’t do something.
    • “Can you help me move this couch?” “No, I’m busy.”
    • "Please, just one more cookie?" "No!" (Said with a bit of firmness)

5. Negative Statements (Used as an Adjective – less common, but important):

  • Describing Something as Not: Here, “no” acts as an adjective modifying a noun.
    • "There are no cars in the parking lot." (Meaning: the parking lot has no cars.)
    • "I have no money." (Meaning: I don’t have any money.)
    • "He made no mistakes." (Meaning: He didn’t make any mistakes.)

6. Emphasis (Adding Emphasis):

  • "No way!" This is an exclamation expressing disbelief or strong denial.
  • "No problem." (Often used as a response to "Thank you," showing you don't consider the request a burden.)

7. In Questions (Often with a Negative Meaning):

  • “Are you going to the store?” “No, I’m staying home.” (Here, "no" answers the question directly.)

Important Considerations:

  • Tone of Voice: As with most things in communication, tone of voice matters. “No” said harshly can be rude, even if it’s meant to be firm. “No” said gently can be polite and understanding.
  • Body Language: Your body language should align with your word. A frown while saying “no” might make it seem less polite.
  • Alternatives: Sometimes, it’s kinder to offer an alternative. Instead of just "No," you could say:
    • “No, I can’t do that right now, but perhaps I could help you with it later.”
    • “No, I’m not interested, but I appreciate you asking.”

Resources for More Examples:

To help me give you even more focused advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of situations are you most interested in using "no" in? (e.g., casual conversation, professional settings, expressing opinions, etc.)

Synonyms for the word no

Idioms of the word no

not take no for an answer
to refuse to accept that somebody does not want something, will not do something, etc.
  • You're coming and I won't take no for an answer!
yes and no
used when you cannot give a clear answer to a question
  • ‘Are you enjoying it?’ ‘Yes and no.’

Comment ()