😱

How to Say ‘Oh no’ in French

Mais non

meh noh

[meh noh]

💬 Usage Tip: Here mais doesn't mean "but". It just adds force, so mais non is a firm "no, not at all". Mais oui works the same way for "yes, of course".

Phrase Breakdown

Mais

[meh]

But

Used to introduce a contrast.

Example

Il est petit mais fort.

He is small but strong.

non

[noh]

Used to give a negative response.

Example

Non, je ne veux pas.

No, I don't want to.

Guides for French learners

Ordering in French: Cafés, Bakeries and Restaurants (with Menu Vocabulary)How to order in French at a café, a bakery and a restaurant: the phrases, the questions staff ask, and the menu and food vocabulary to understand the answers.Hello in French: Greetings, Good Evening and How to Answer "How Are You?"How to say hello in French, when to switch to good evening, how to ask how are you and what to answer, with tu vs vous and native audio.

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