Hindi · Greetings & Essentials
"No" in Hindi: नहीं
नहींnahin
Note: polite: जी नहीं (ji nahin)
नहीं (nahin) means no. Soften it with जी नहीं (ji nahin) for elders and hosts. Indians often wrap a no in kindness: nahin, shukriya or bas, pet bhar gaya when refusing more food.
Declining more chai
नहीं जी, बस हो गया, धन्यवाद।nahin ji, bas ho gaya, dhanyavaad.
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How to pronounce नहीं
Say it
nuh-HEEN
/nəɦĩː/
Nahin is nuh-HEEN, with a soft dental n and a long ee. The h is light, not a hard English h. Many speakers shorten it toward "nahi" in fast talk.
"No" in Hindi: quick reference
| Hindi | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| नहींnahin | no / not The basic no, and also the word for "not" in sentences. | The basic no, and also the word for "not" in sentences. |
| जी नहींji nahin | no (polite) A respectful refusal with aap and elders. | A respectful refusal with aap and elders. |
| नहीं जीnahin ji | no (soft) Common when declining offers politely. | Common when declining offers politely. |
| मतmat | don't Before a verb to forbid: mat jaao (don't go). | Before a verb to forbid: mat jaao (don't go). |
How to use नहीं in real life
- 1Declining more chai
नहीं जी, बस हो गया, धन्यवाद।
nahin ji, bas ho gaya, dhanyavaad.
No, that's enough, thank you.
Hosts may insist once more; a warm smile helps the no land gently.
- 2Answering a yes/no question
नहीं, आज मैं व्यस्त हूँ।
nahin, aaj main vyast hoon.
No, I'm busy today.
A short reason after nahin softens the refusal.
- 3Correcting a detail
नहीं, स्टेशन बाईं तरफ़ है।
nahin, station baayin taraf hai.
No, the station is on the left.
Nahin can correct facts, not only refuse offers.
Mistakes English speakers make with नहीं
Incorrect: A sharp nahin with no softener to a host
Correct: Nahin ji, shukriya / Bas, kaafi hai
A bare no can feel harsh when declining food or help. Add ji and thanks.
Incorrect: Main nahin chahta aapko.
Correct: Ji nahin, shukriya.
Keep refusals short and polite. Long literal "I do not want" lines sound cold.
Good to know
Saying no to food can take two or three gentle tries because hosts insist. A hand over the cup or plate plus nahin ji is a clear signal. In business, a soft maybe may hide a no; listen for delayed answers and vague timing.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Politely refusing a second helping
ChatPal
और थोड़ी दाल ले लीजिए।
aur thodi daal le leejiye.
Please take a little more dal.
You
नहीं जी, पेट भर गया।
nahin ji, pet bhar gaya.
No, I'm full.
ChatPal
ज़रा सी मिठाई तो खा ही लीजिए।
zara si mithai to khaa hi leejiye.
At least have a little sweet.
You
नहीं, शुक्रिया। चाय काफ़ी है।
nahin, shukriya. chaai kaafi hai.
No, thanks. Tea is enough.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"No" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "No" in Hindi
Is nahin also used for "not"?
Yes. Main nahin jaaunga means I will not go. Context tells you if it is a full no or a negation.
How do I refuse politely?
Say ji nahin, shukriya, or bas, kaafi hai. A smile and a slight hand wave help.
What is the difference between nahin and mat?
Nahin negates statements. Mat means don't before a command: mat chhuiye (don't touch).
Can I shake my head for no?
Yes, but pair it with nahin so the meaning is clear across cultures.
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- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
