Dictionary — Entry No. 0682
아니요
aniyo · interjection
아니요
aniyo
[ah-ni-YO]
interjectionbeginner
Meaning
아니요 (aniyo) is the formal and polite way to say ‘no’ in Korean, used when declining, disagreeing, or correcting someone in respectful contexts. The 요 (yo) ending signals politeness, making it appropriate with strangers, elders, and in professional or public settings.
K-Pop & K-Drama Context
아니요 is a staple of K-Drama dialogue, especially in scenes involving misunderstandings — characters in My Love from the Star and Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha use it to clear up confusion with endearing formality. IVE’s members have been captured saying 아니요 earnestly during press interviews when correcting misquoted statements. It appears in countless variety show moments where idols politely push back on MC assumptions.
Example Sentences
아니요, 저는 학생이 아니에요.
Aniyo, jeoneun haksaengi anieyo.
No, I’m not a student. (Politely correcting a mistaken assumption — textbook polite Korean)
아니요, 괜찮아요.
Aniyo, gwaenchanayo.
No, I’m fine / it’s okay. (Polite refusal of help or an apology — extremely common in dramas)
아니요, 그건 제 것이 아니에요.
Aniyo, geugeon je geosi anieyo.
No, that’s not mine. (Formal denial — straightforward and respectful)
⚠️ Don’t use aniyo when…
아니요 (formal) and 아니야 (casual) mean the same thing but carry different politeness levels — using 아니야 with a boss or elder is a common learner mistake that can seem disrespectful. Also, in fast speech 아니요 can sound close to ‘anyo,’ which beginners sometimes confuse with 안녕 (annyeong, hello/goodbye) — an entirely different word.
🎵 Heard In
- K-Drama: My Love from the Star — Do Min-joon uses 아니요 with dignified restraint in multiple key scenes, showing how a polite ‘no’ can carry quiet authority.
- K-Pop: IVE — I AM
ℹ️ Editorial Note: The cultural context and example usage are for educational reference only. Artist names, song titles, and drama references are used descriptively to illustrate vocabulary in context. This content is AI-assisted and reviewed for accuracy. For official information, please refer to the respective artists’ or studios’ official channels.