15 Ways to Say NO in Polish Fluently

Hey, you.

Saying no is much more difficult than saying yes. Psychologists even write books to teach people how to refuse politely. Well, since you’re learning POLISH, you will learn how to say No in Polish.

Get ready. Some of these phrases are formal, and some are informal, so you will be able to say “no” to a boss, colleague or a friend!

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15+ Ways to Say No in Polish

1. No in Polish

Nie
Pronunciation: Nie

This is the most popular way to say no No in Polish. It’s the same as the English “No.” The antonym to this word is “Tak,” meaning “Yes.” “Nie” can be used in any conversation, formal or informal chats with friends.

Example:

Nie, nie mam czasu. Przepraszam!
Pronunciation: nie, nie mam chasu prsheprasham
No, I do not have time. Excuse me!

2. Do not even think about it

Nawet o tym nie myśl
Pronunciation: Nawet o tym nye myshl.

You should use this phrase when you totally disagree with someone. It’s a very informal way to say “No” in Polish, so be careful. Use it only in friendly situations.

Example:

Do not even think about it. I can’t marry you.
Nawet o tym nie myśl. Nie mogę się z tobą ożenić.
Pronunication: navet o tym nie myshl. nie moge shie z tobou ozhenich

3. Of course not

Gdzie tam
Pronunciation: Gdzye tam

This can be translated as “where there,” but the meaning is “Of course not.”

That’s one more informal way to say no in Polish for you to know. Usually, friends use it when they disagree with something but their points of view are the same.

Example:

Did Olek win? Of course, no, he did not even workout
Czy Olek wygrał? Gdzie tam, nie chodził nawet na treningi
Pronunciation: chy Olek vygral? Gdzhie tam, nie hodzil navet na treningi

4. Of course no

Oczywiście, że nie
Pronunciation: Ochyvishchie zhe nye

Another informal way to disagree with Polish people.

By the way, “oczywiście” can be translated as “Of course.” So, you can also use it when you agree with your companion. You can also add “Yes” and you will get “Tak, oczywiście.”

Example:

Oczywiście, że nie, nie podoba mi się ten pomysł!
Pronunciation: ochywishchye, zhe nie, nie podoba mi shie ten pomysl
Of course not, I do not like this idea.

5. I disagree

Nie zgadzam się
Pronunciation: Nye zgadzam shie

“Zgadzam się” means “I agree.” When someone tells you his or her opinion, and you disagree – you can respond with “Nie zgadzam się.” Now, this is a formal phrase and a polite way to say NO in Polish.

Example:

Nie zgadzam się z tobą. Proszę, powiedz mi, jaki jest twój plan!
Pronunciation: nie zgadzam shie z tobou. Proshe, powiedz mi, jaki jest twuj plan
I do not agree with you. Please, tell me what your plan is.

6. I didn’t get it

Nie zrozumiałem(łam)
Pronunciation: Nye zrozumialem

Did you get it? That’s how people ask “did you understand?” And you can say, “I didn’t get it.”

Just like in English, it is an informal phrase.

For men it’s “Nie zrozumiałem”
For women “Nie zrozumiałam”

Example:

Nie rozumiem, dlaczego nie możesz mi pomóc?
nie rozumyem, dlachego nie mozhesh mi pomuc?
I didn’t get it why you can’t help me?

7. Unfortunately no

Niestety nie
Pronunciation: Nyestety nye

This is a great and formal way to say NO in Polish.

Example:

Niestety, nie. Nie potrzebujemy pożyczki
Niestety, nie. Nie potshebujemy pozhychki
Unfortunately no. We do not need a loan.

8. Rather no

Raczej nie
Pronunciation: Raczey nye

“Raczej nie” is similar in meaning to “Rather no.”

People use this phrase when they are not sure.

Example:

Raczej nie, to nie ma sensu – dziś wykonam całą pracę, a jutro powie, że mu się nie podoba.
Rachej nie, to nie ma sensu – dzish vykonam calou praceu, a jutro povie, zhe mu shie nie podoba
Rather no, it does not make sense – today I will do all the work, and tomorrow he will say that he does not like it.

9. Under no circumstances

Pod żadnym pozorem, nie ma mowy
Pronunciation: Pod zhadnym pozorem, Nye ma mowy

“Pod żadnym pozorem” or “nie ma mowy” are phrases you can use when you don’t want someone to argue with you at all.

Example:

Pod żadnym pozorem. Nie lubię go!
Pod zhadnym pozorem. Nie liubye go!
Under no circumstances. I do not like him!

10. No way

Za nic w świecie!
Pronunciation: Za nic w shviechie

“ Za nic w świecie” means “No way.”

This phrase can be translated as “For nothing in the world.”” This phrase is very direct and strong, so don’t use it at a wrong time.

Example:

Za nic w świecie! Nie chcę jechać do tego kraju. Nawet nie chcę o tym myśleć!
Za nic w shviechie! Nie hceu jehach do tego kraju. Nawet nie chceu o tym myshlech
No way! I do not want to go to this country. I do not even want to think about it!

Here are some ways to say NO in Polish. Luckily for you, these do not require additional explanations.

11. Never
1. Nigdy!
2. Pronunciation: Nikdy
12. Sounds so-so
1. Brzmi tak sobie!
2. Pronunciation: Brzhmi tak sobye
13. Not at all
1. Zupełnie nie!
2. Pronunciation: Zupelnie nye
14. Heaven forbid!
1. Niech Bóg broni!
2. Pronunciation: Nyeh bug broni
15. International words used in Polish
1. No, Nope, Nicht!
2. Pronunciation: No, Nope, Niht

See? There are a lot of different ways to say No in Polish. These words are the most commonly-used. And now, you know how to say them.

What should you do now? First, I recommend you print this article for future review. You can also leave a comment or share it with a Polish-learning friend.

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