Difference between revisions of "Language/French/Vocabulary/Say-No"
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==Ce sera tout== | ==Ce sera tout== | ||
''that'll be all'' | |||
When you buy something at the bakery, the waiter can ask you if you’d like something else. If you do not want something else, you can answer “Ce sera tout”. | |||
* Vous prendrez une boisson avec ça ? Non merci, ce sera tout = Will you take a drink with that? No thanks, that’ll be all. | * Vous prendrez une boisson avec ça ? Non merci, ce sera tout = Will you take a drink with that? No thanks, that’ll be all. | ||
==Pas du tout== | ==Pas du tout== | ||
not at all | ''not at all'' | ||
If you really don't want to do something, you can say “pas du tout”. | If you really don't want to do something, you can say “pas du tout”. | ||
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==Pas encore== | ==Pas encore== | ||
Not yet | ''Not yet'' | ||
If you have not done something yet, you can say “pas encore”. | If you have not done something yet, you can say “pas encore”. | ||
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==Comme ci comme ça== | ==Comme ci comme ça== | ||
So so | ''So so'' | ||
If you do not really want to do something, you can say "Comme ci comme ça" | If you do not really want to do something, you can say "Comme ci comme ça" | ||
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==Pas maintenant== | ==Pas maintenant== | ||
not now | ''not now'' | ||
If you do not wish to do something now, but would be ready in a moment, you can say "Not now". | If you do not wish to do something now, but would be ready in a moment, you can say "Not now". | ||
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==Pas vraiment == | ==Pas vraiment == | ||
Not really | ''Not really'' | ||
If you are not ready or don't want to do something, you can say "Pas vraiment". | If you are not ready or don't want to do something, you can say "Pas vraiment". | ||
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== Malheureusement pas== | == Malheureusement pas== | ||
unfortunately not | ''unfortunately not'' | ||
To formally decline a request while pretending you really wished you could help, you can say "malheureusement pas". | To formally decline a request while pretending you really wished you could help, you can say "malheureusement pas". | ||
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== Pas question ! == | == Pas question ! == | ||
no way! | ''no way!'' | ||
If someone ask you something so crazy you immediately know the answer is “no”. In this situation you can use "Pas question" (no way), "Hors de question" (out of the question), "absolument pas" (absolutely not). | If someone ask you something so crazy you immediately know the answer is “no”. In this situation you can use "Pas question" (no way), "Hors de question" (out of the question), "absolument pas" (absolutely not). | ||
Revision as of 17:09, 8 July 2017
Instead of saying simply "No", it will sound more natural to be able to say “not now”, “so so” or “not really”.
Here are different ways to say "no" in French:
Non merci
No, thanks
In some situations, answering “non” can come across as rude though. so you may want to say “non merci” instead.
Oublie !
forget it!
- Pourrais-tu me prêter 1000 euros ? Oublie ! = Could you lend me 1,000 euros? Forget it!
Ce sera tout
that'll be all
When you buy something at the bakery, the waiter can ask you if you’d like something else. If you do not want something else, you can answer “Ce sera tout”.
- Vous prendrez une boisson avec ça ? Non merci, ce sera tout = Will you take a drink with that? No thanks, that’ll be all.
Pas du tout
not at all
If you really don't want to do something, you can say “pas du tout”.
- Est-ce que tu serais prêt à escalader cette montagne ? Pas du tout ! Would you be ready to climb that mountain? Not all all!
Pas encore
Not yet
If you have not done something yet, you can say “pas encore”.
- T’as lu le livre dont je t’ai parlé ? Pas encore. = Did you read the book I talked to you about? Not yet.
Comme ci comme ça
So so
If you do not really want to do something, you can say "Comme ci comme ça"
- ça te dit d'aller faire du sport pendant 2 heures ? Do you feel like doing sport for 2 hours?
Pas maintenant
not now
If you do not wish to do something now, but would be ready in a moment, you can say "Not now".
- ça te dit d'aller au restaurant ? Pas maintenant. Do you feel like going to the restaurant? Not now.
Pas vraiment
Not really
If you are not ready or don't want to do something, you can say "Pas vraiment".
- Salut Pierre ! tu es prêt pour l'examen ? Pas vraiment. Hi Antoine! Are you ready for the test? Not really.
Malheureusement pas
unfortunately not
To formally decline a request while pretending you really wished you could help, you can say "malheureusement pas".
- Peut on obtenir un remboursement du voyage ? Malheureusement pas. = Can I get a refund for this trip? Unfortunately not.
Pas question !
no way!
If someone ask you something so crazy you immediately know the answer is “no”. In this situation you can use "Pas question" (no way), "Hors de question" (out of the question), "absolument pas" (absolutely not).
- Peux-tu t'excuser s'il te plait ? Pas question ! = Can you apologize please? No way!
Jamais !
never!
If you want to say you’ll never do something, you can say “jamais”. T’as déjà été aux USA? = Non jamais.
- Have you ever been to the US? = No never.
What about you, how do you usually say "no" in French, please share your comments or edit this page!