응 아니야

Korean

Alternative forms

ㅇㅇㄴㅇ () (leetspeak)

Etymology

응 (eung, “yeah”) +‎ 아니야 (aniya, “no”). Not a calque of English yeah, no.

Unlike in English, Korean affirmative interjections such as 응 (eung, “yeah”) follow the polarity of the question being replied to. An affirmative response to a negatively stated question means that the negative is true, e.g. 거기 안 더워? — 응, 안 더워. (Geogi an deowo? eung, an deowo., “Isn't it hot there? — No, it's not hot.”, literally “Isn't it hot there? — Yes, it's not hot.”) Thus, unlike in the English equivalent, 응 (eung, “yeah”) is being used in its usual affirmative sense (as a response to an implied negatively stated question) and not as an intensifier.

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): [ɯŋ a̠nija̠]
Phonetic hangeul: [응 아니야]

Revised Romanization^?	eung aniya
Revised Romanization (translit.)^?	eung aniya
McCune–Reischauer^?	ŭng aniya
Yale Romanization^?	ung aniya

Interjection

응 아니야 • (eung aniya)

(slang) yeah, no (sarcastic negative reply)