How To Say NO in Russian Fluently – Language Lesson.

Oh, hi.

To say no in Russian, you just say “nyet.”

But if you want to learn the Russian language, there are more ways to say NO in Russian. Do you want to sound like a smart, fluent speaker? Yes?

Then read on. You’ll want to know these easy phrases.

You will learn them all in the next 3 minutes.

16 Ways to Say No In Russian – Language Lesson!

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1. No in Russian

• Нет
• Pronunciation: N’yet

This is the best say way to say No in Russian. If you come out remembering just one word today, remember this one. The opposite of this word is “Да (da)” or “Yes.” You can use it in any conversation.  

Example: 

• Нет. Извините, но у меня нет времени.
• Nyet. Izvinite, no u menya net vremeni. 
• No. Sorry, but I do not have time.

By the way, you should also HEAR real Russian pronunciation.

So, while you read this lesson, listen to this FREE Russian Audio Lesson. It’s a bit unrelated but you will learn Russian greetings.

• Lesson: 3-Minute Russian – Greetings
• by RussianPod101 – click here for more easy Russian lessons

2. No (super casual)

• Не 
• Pronunciation: Ne

Russians often use a shorter form of “Нет (nyet).”

Just drop the T to go casual.

3. Yes, no

• Да, нет 
• Pronunciation: da nyet

This is more like a “well…no” rather than a “yes, no.”

You probably are wondering why the word “Да” is used here. It doesn’t mean “Yes” here. It’s just a filler word. It’s a part of speech which expresses emotion.

That being said, it’s VERY similar to the Australian/New Zealand way of saying “yeah… nah.”

4. Well, no

• Ну нет
• Pronunciation: nu nyet.

This can be used when you are not 100% sure about the answer at the moment. Or when you need some time to answer. By saying it, you add some informal atmosphere to the conversation. 

Example: 

• Да нет, это точно не он. 
• Da nyet, eto tochno ne on.
• No, it’s definitely not him. 

5. Not today

• Не сегодня
• Pronunciation: Nye sevodnya

This is not a formal phrase. By saying “Не сегодня” you express your final answer. No, not today. Go away!

Example: 

• Хочу ли я пойти в театр? Не сегодня!
• Hochu li ya poyti v teatr? Ne segodnya!
• Do I want to go to the theater? Not today!

6. Of course no

• Конечно нет
• Pronunciation: Koneshno nyet

This is a formal way to disagree with a person. “Конечно” can be translated as “Of course” but since you “нет,” it becomes “of course no.” Ha!

Example: 

• Конечно нет! Я не виноват. Меня здесь не было!
• Koneshno nyet! Ya nye vinovat. Menya zdes’ ne bilo. 
• Of course not! It’s not my fault. I was not here.

7. I disagree

• Я не согласен
• Pronunciation: Ya ne soglasen

“Согласен” means “I agree”. When some person tells you his or her opinion, and you disagree, you can respond this way. If you remember, “не” is a formal way of saying no in Russian. So, by adding it, you make this a negative statement.

Example: 

• Я с Вами не согласен!
• Ya s vami ne soglaszen!
• I don’t agree with you!

8. I don’t get it

• Я не понял/ла
• Pronunciation: Ya ne ponyal(a)

This is an informal phrase to just say “Hey, I dont get it” or “No.” Men should say “ponyal” and women should say “ponyala.”

Example: 

• Я не понял. В чем проблема?
• Ya ne ponyal. V chem problema?
•  I don’t get it. What is the problem?

9. Unfortunately no

• К сожалению, нет
• Pronunciation: K sozhaleniyu, nyet

This is a great and formal way to say No in Russian. You can say this when you want to say no or refuse in a polite way.

10. More likely no than yes

• Скорее нет, чем да
• Pronunciation: Skoreye nyet, chem da

This is similar to the English “more likely no than yes.” You can use this phrase when you are unsure about the answer…. but you’re leaning to no.

Literally, it means “faster no, than yes.”

It’s also like the Australian or New Zealand version of “yeah, nah.”

Example:

• Скорее нет, чем да. Мне нужно еще подумать.
• Skoreye net, chem da. Mne nuzhno yeshche podumat’ 
• More likely no than yes. I need to think more.

11. Under no circumstances

• Ни при каких условиях
• Pronunciation: Ni pri kakih usloviyah

This is really a very serious phrase. Use it when you are shutting down an argument with whomever. Essentially, you’re setting a strict limit.

Example:

• Ни при каких условиях. Мы уважаем закон!
• Ni pri kakih usloviyah. My uvazhayem zakon. 
• Under no circumstances. We respect the law.

12. No way

• Ни за что
• Pronunciation: Ni za chto

Ever wondered how to say no way in Russian? This is it. Some people say it in a casual, teasing manner, just like we do in English.

Example:

• Ни за что! Я порядочный человек!
• Ni za chto! Ya poryadochniy chelovek! 
• No way! I’m a decent person!

Here are some other unique ways to say NO in Russian.

13. Never

• Никогда
• Pronunciation: Nikogda

Wondered how to yell NEVER in Russian? Now you know!

14. Sounds so-so

• Звучит так себе
• Pronunciation: Zvuchit tak sebe

Obviously this is not a literal way to say no in Russian, but it works. It’s a polite and vague way to disagree.

15. In no case

• Ни в коем случае
• Pronunciation: Ni v koyem sluchaye

I heard this a lot from my grandmother. Especially in regards to leaving the house without a scarf.

16. Not in this life

• Не в этой жизни!
• Pronunciation: Ne v etoy zhizni

Now this is a clever way to say no in Russian!