ノー

• Reading: ノー
• Romaji: noo
• Pronunciation: /noː/

Meaning

No; a direct refusal or negation borrowed from English.

A katakana loanword from English 'no,' used as a direct and emphatic refusal. More blunt than Japanese いいえ or いや. Often appears in compound expressions: ノーコメント (noo komento, no comment), ノーマネー (noo manee, no money). Also used in protest slogans and as a strong rhetorical device. The directness can feel forceful in Japanese social contexts.

Examples

1. 記者の質問にノーコメントと答えた。 He responded to the reporter's question with 'no comment.
2. 彼女はその提案にノーと言った。 She said no to that proposal.
3. ノーと言える勇気も大切だ。 Having the courage to say no is important too.

Usage Guide

Context: refusal, media, daily conversation

Tone: direct

Origin & History

Borrowed directly from English 'no.' Entered Japanese through postwar cultural exchange and has become a common katakana expression for emphatic refusal.

Cultural Context

Era: Postwar

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal