How to Say No in French
Learn how to say no in French. 'Non' (nohn) is the simple no, with polite options like 'Non merci.' Pronunciation, formal vs informal, and ways to refuse kindly.
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Quick answer
To say no in French, say 'Non' (nohn) — a single nasal syllable. To refuse politely, add 'merci': 'Non, merci' (nohn mair-SEE) means 'no, thank you.' For an emphatic 'absolutely not,' say 'Absolument pas' (ab-soh-loo-mahn PAH).
Non
/nohn/ — French
How to Say No in French
The French word for no is short and simple — Non — but how you frame it makes the difference between sounding blunt and sounding polite. French has a rich set of phrases for softening, emphasizing, or graciously declining.
The Simple No: Non
Non — pronounced nohn
A single nasal syllable, Non is the direct, all-purpose “no” used in every register. On its own it’s neutral, but in some contexts a bare Non can feel curt, so the French often soften it.
Copy the Phrase
The French word for no is Non (nohn).
Pronunciation Notes
| Part | Pronunciation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Non | nohn | One nasal syllable — the ‘on’ resonates through the nose; the final ‘n’ is not hard |
The key is the nasal vowel: don’t say “non” like the English word. Instead, send the “oh” sound through your nose and let the “n” color it without closing it off — nohn.
All the Ways to Say No in French
| French | Pronunciation | Meaning / Use |
|---|---|---|
| Non | nohn | Plain “no” |
| Non, merci | nohn mair-SEE | ”No, thank you” (polite) |
| Pas du tout | pah doo TOO | ”Not at all” |
| Absolument pas | ab-soh-loo-mahn PAH | ”Absolutely not” |
| Certainement pas | sair-ten-mahn PAH | ”Certainly not” |
| Hors de question | or duh kess-tyON | ”Out of the question” (casual, firm) |
| Je ne pense pas | zhuh nuh pahns PAH | ”I don’t think so” (soft) |
| Non plus | nohn PLOO | ”Neither / not either” |
Saying No Politely
A bare Non can sound abrupt, so the French commonly add courtesy:
- Non, merci — “No, thank you” (the standard polite refusal).
- C’est gentil, mais non — “That’s kind, but no.”
- Non, je vous remercie — a more formal “no, thank you.”
- Malheureusement, non — “Unfortunately, no.”
When declining an offer of food, drink or help, Non, merci is almost always the right move.
Non vs. Si: The Contradicting Yes
French has a quirk English lacks. To say “no” you use Non — but to contradict a negative question or statement, you don’t say Oui, you say Si (see). For example, if someone says Tu n’aimes pas ça? (“You don’t like that?”) and you actually do, you reply Si! (“Yes, I do!”). Using Oui there would be wrong. So remember: Si is the special “yes” that overturns a negative.
Emphatic and Firm Refusals
When you mean it strongly:
- Absolument pas — absolutely not.
- Pas du tout — not at all.
- Certainement pas — certainly not.
- Hors de question — out of the question (firm and informal).
Cultural Notes
The French value directness but also politeness, so even a firm refusal is usually wrapped in a courteous phrase or accompanied by a brief reason. A simple head shake plus Non, merci is perfectly acceptable in shops and markets. Note too that Non? with rising intonation at the end of a sentence works like the English “right?” or “isn’t it?” — a tag inviting agreement rather than a refusal.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say no in French?
The French word for no is 'Non' (nohn), pronounced as one nasal syllable. To decline politely, say 'Non, merci' (nohn mair-SEE), meaning 'no, thank you.' 'Non' works in both formal and informal contexts.
How do you pronounce Non?
'Non' is pronounced nohn — a single syllable with a nasal vowel. The 'on' is nasalized through the nose, and the final 'n' is not fully pronounced as a hard consonant. Think of it like saying 'oh' through your nose with a soft 'n' coloring: nohn.
How do you say no politely in French?
Soften 'Non' by adding courtesy: 'Non, merci' (no, thank you), 'Non, merci beaucoup' (no, thank you very much), or 'C'est gentil, mais non' (that's kind, but no). A bare 'Non' can sound blunt, so polite padding is appreciated.
What is the difference between Non and Si in French?
'Non' is the standard 'no.' But 'Si' (see) is a special 'yes' used to contradict a negative question or statement — e.g., if asked 'You don't want it?' you reply 'Si!' to mean 'Yes, I do!' English has no direct equivalent for this contradicting 'yes.'
How do you say absolutely not in French?
For emphatic refusal: 'Absolument pas' (ab-soh-loo-mahn PAH — absolutely not), 'Pas du tout' (pah doo TOO — not at all), 'Certainement pas' (sair-ten-mahn PAH — certainly not) and the casual 'Hors de question' (or duh kess-tyON — out of the question).