Saying “no” in Italian is as easy as it gets: Say no, like in English, but with a more open pronunciation of the letter “o.” It’s also used a little differently in sentences than in English. No and sì (“yes” in Italian) are word-sentences, meaning each is a complete sentence. They don’t require any Italian verbs or additional parts of speech to make sense. However, a straightforward “no” can often be a bit harsh, so learning different ways to say it will help you better handle social situations.
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How to use no in Italian
Few words are as easy to learn in Italiana as no. It’s spelled, sounds, and means the same in English, Italian, and Spanish. However, there is a difference to keep in mind.
In Italian grammar, no is an adverb that answers a question directly. In all other cases, you use non (no/not).
- Parli spagnolo? = Do you speak Spanish?
- No. Parlo italiano. = No, I speak Italian.
- Io non parlo spagnolo, parlo italiano. = I don’t speak Spanish, I speak Italian.
- Non calpestare le aiuole. = Do not walk on the flower beds.
English and Italian sometimes don’t match, such as when you say “no problem” in Italian and similar phrases.
- Non c’è problema. = No problem.
- Non entrare. = No trespassing.
- Non ho tempo. = I have no time.
- Preferisco di no. = I prefer not.
There are only two exceptions that allow the use of no outside of direct replies.
- indirect speech
- Mi ha fatto no con la testa. = He shook his head no.
- Gli ho detto di no. = I told him no.
- when anticipating a negation
- Perché? No, non me lo dire. = Why? No, don’t tell me.
Replying no in the Italian language
Italians tend to avoid short or blunt replies. So, they often match no with other expressions that reinforce it or explain its reason.
- Sei mai stato in Italia? = Have you ever been to Italy?
- No, mai. = No, never.
- Hai ancora fame? = Are you still hungry?
- No, no. Sono pienissimo! = No, no. I’m totally full!
- Vuoi andare alla festa? = Do you want to go to the party?
- No di certo. = Definitely not.
You can also use other Italian words to soften it.
- No, grazie. = No, thank you.
- Forse no. = Maybe not.
- Purtroppo, no. = Unfortunately, no.
- Mi sa di no. = I don’t think so.
- Temo di no. = I am afraid not.
Like in English, there are fixed phrases where no means “yes.”
- Andiamo al cinema stasera? = Shall we go to the movies tonight?
- Perché no! = Why not!
- Mi vieni a prendere in stazione? = Will you pick me up at the station?
- Come no! = Of course!
How do you say ‘no’ in Italian politely?
Many Italian expressions can replace “no” in Italian and are often a better choice when you want to sound polite or decline invitations in formal settings.
Vorrei, ma non posso
The polite expression vorrei, ma non posso means “I would like to, but I can’t.” Besides using the verb volere (to want), it can combine with other softening expressions.
- Davvero, non posso. = Really, I can’t.
- Mi spiace, ma non posso. = I’m sorry, but I can’t.
- Scusa, non posso proprio. = Sorry, I really can’t.
Mi spiace
Italians often rely on facial expressions and hand gestures to deal with uncomfortable situations like saying “no.” To politely refuse an offer or an invitation, they can say only mi spiace (I’m sorry) with a subtle gesture like shaking the head as a no, or slightly showing the palms of the hands, meaning “I can’t do anything about it.”
Come se avessi accettato
In semi-formal situations, you can say “no” in Italian with the expression come se avessi accettato (as if I had accepted).
A typical example is when someone offers you food or drinks at a dinner, and you want to politely and respectfully refuse. It often goes with a gentle “stop” hand gesture.
- Ancora un po’ di vino? = Some more wine?
- Come se avessi accettato. Thank you. = As if I had accepted. Thank you.
- Venite anche voi al pub? = Are you coming to the pub, too?
- Grazie, ma è molto tardi. Come se avessimo accettato. = Thank you, but it’s very late. As if we had accepted.
La ringrazio, ma devo rifiutare
This formal way to say “no” literally means “I thank you, but I must refuse.” You’ll hear it especially in professional settings.
- Vuole unirsi a noi per cena? = Would you like to join us for dinner? (formal you)
- La ringrazio, ma devo rifiutare. = Thank you, but I must refuse. (formal you)
Sarà per la prossima volta
Sarà per la prossima volta translates to “Maybe next time.” It’s a warm and positive way to decline, that softens the “no” by suggesting you’re open to plans.
- Vieni al mare con noi domani? = Are you coming to the beach with us tomorrow?
- Sarà per la prossima volta. Grazie. = Maybe next time. Thank you.
Strong and informal ways to say ‘no’
Whether you’re in a friendly situation and want to say “no” with emphasis, or you need to set a firm boundary, these expressions leave no room for doubt.
Non mi va
A still polite, but firm expression is non mi va (I don’t feel like). It sounds a bit dry if you say it when you don’t want to do something, but it is neutral when saying “no” to food and drink offers.
- Prendi l’ultimo pezzo di torta. = Take the last piece of cake.
- Non mi va, grazie. = I don’t feel like it.
Two slightly stronger variations are:
- Non ho voglia. = I don’t feel like it.
- Non voglio. = I don’t want to.
Ma quando mai?
When someone makes an unfair accusation, instead of saying “No, I did not,” you can say: Ma quando mai? This expression combines irritation and offense in equal parts, and it’s usually reserved for spoken Italian.
- So che hai perso tu le mie chiavi. = I know you lost my keys.
- Ma quando mai? = No way, I didn’t! (literally: When did that ever happen?)
Scordatelo
Short, sharp, and kind of bitter, scordatelo is a strong way to say “no” in Italian and means “Forget it.” It’s a straightforward way to state that you will never do or accept something—and they can stop asking.
- Mi presti la tua macchina? = Can I borrow your car?
- Scordatelo. = Forget it.
Neanche per sogno
Literally meaning “not even in a dream” (and the similar neanche per idea “not even as an idea”), these are playful yet firm ways to say “absolutely not.” They suit a friendly environment, but they are teasing.
- Ti pago per andare alla riunione al mio posto. = I pay you to go to the meeting in my place.
- Neanche per sogno! = Absolutely not!
Non ci penso proprio
Similar to neanche per idea is non ci penso neanche (I’m not even thinking about it or I don’t think so.) There is no clearer way to say: “No way.”
- Vuoi trasferirti lì? = Do you want to move there?
- Non ci penso proprio. = No way.
Non accetterò mai
If you want to express a definitive refusal in a formal environment, you can say: non accetterò mai (I will never accept.) It is pretty serious and dramatic, but you can tell it ironically in friendly settings.
- Posso farle una controfferta? = Can I make you a counteroffer?
- Non accetterò mai. = I’ll never accept.
Mi rifiuto
You can also use the exact opposite verb rifiutare (to refuse) to create an equally direct and powerful “no” in Italian.
- Puoi mentire per coprirmi? = Can you lie to cover for me?
- Mi rifiuto. = I refuse.
Ma sei fuori?
Very informal and humorous environments allow strong sentences that, in other settings, will be considered very rude. This is the case of Ma sei fuori?, which means “Are you crazy?”
- Facciamo il bagno! = Let’s go swimming!
- Ma sei fuori? Si gela! = Are you crazy? It’s freezing cold!
Aspetta e spera
Literally “wait and hope,” aspetta e spera is a sarcastic Italian idiom that works in many contexts. Think of it as the English “until hell freezes.” Like its English counterpart, it can be a way to say “no” or “keep dreaming.”
- Prima o poi mi presterai i tuoi orecchini. = Sooner or later you’ll lend me your earrings.
- Aspetta e spera. = Yeah, keep dreaming.
Other words for ‘no’ in Italian dialects
Technically, Italian dialects are vernaculars, not regional variations of the Italian language, because they all evolved from Latin at the same time. That’s why you might hear different pronunciations even of a common word like no when traveling in Italy.
In Sicily, people often say “no” with a tongue click, producing a sound similar to “ntz” paired with a quick, upward head movement. Other curious ones are:
- nun and none (Southern regions)
- nou, nono, and nossi (Sardinian)
While you won’t find these variations in grammar books, diving into the Italian language and culture will prepare you to notice and pick up on these nuances when speaking with native Italians. Rosetta Stone’s Dynamic Immersion method is designed to help you get travel-ready with quick 10-minute lessons and extra features that let you practice Italian in real-life scenarios.
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