No in French

Saying no in French is pretty simple, but there are quite a few synonyms and precisions to be aware of. Check out this lesson to learn how to say no, not a chance, I don't think so, and more.

non - no
Non is the basic, standard French word for "no":

   Non, je n'aime pas skier
   No, I don't like to ski


ah non, oh non - oh no

Ah non and oh non express disappointment, like "oh no!" or "darn it!"

   Ah non ! Ça ne marche pas !
   Oh no! It doesn't work!


non à… - no to...

Non à is followed by a noun to mean "(say) no to" or "down with," especially in protests and demonstrations:

   Non au CPE !
   No to the First Job Contract!


Here are some other synonyms for and expressions with non:

   absolument pas - absolutely not

   au contraire - on the contrary

   aucun (problème, argent, etc) - no (problem, money, etc)

   bien sûr que non - of course not

   certainement pas - certainly not

   des clous ! (familiar) - no way!

   du tout - not at all

   je crois que non - I don't think so

   je ne dis pas non - I wouldn't say no

   mais non - of course not

   moi non - not me, I don't

   n'est-ce pas ? - no? right? isn't it?

   niet ! (familiar) - no way!

   non merci - no thank you

   non et non ! - absolutely not!

   non plus - not (that) either

   non que + subjunctive - not that …

   ... ou non ? - … (are/will/do you + verb) or not?

   pas de (problème, temps, pain, etc) - no (problem, time, bread, etc)

   pas du tout - not at all

   pas question ! (familiar) - no way! not a chance!

   pas tout à fait - not exactly, not quite

   que non ! - absolutely not!


Negating prefixes: a- | in- / im-