Usage of '아니'
'아니' is a common Korean negation word meaning 'not' or 'no'. It is often used to deny statements or correct misunderstandings in conversation. It can stand alone as a short negative response equivalent to 'no' in English.
Common contexts
- Denying facts or statements: "그것은 사실이 아니에요." (That is not true.)
- Correcting or refusing: "아니, 나는 그런 말을 한 적이 없어요." (No, I never said such a thing.)
- Introducing a correction or alternative explanation: "아니, 그게 아니라 다른 이유가 있어요." (No, that's not it; there is another reason.)
Collocations and patterns
- 아니에요: polite negation, often used to politely say "no" or "it's not."
- 아니, ...: used to start a sentence to deny or correct something previously said.
- 아니라고 하다: to say that something is not true.
Notes
'아니' is informal to neutral in tone and can be used in everyday conversation. It is important not to confuse '아니' with '안' which is another negation word used before verbs. '아니' is often used for negating nouns or in standalone negative responses.
Learners should practice using '아니' in natural contexts to express denial or correction effectively.