no

Everyday

1. No means not any, or zero. «No apples» means zero apples. tree →
2. No is the answer when something is not true or you do not agree: «Is it raining? No.» tree →
3. No can mean that something is not allowed: «No running», «No entry». tree →
4. No can mean «not» with comparisons: «no more», «no bigger than». tree →
5. «No.» with a dot is short for number: «No. 5». tree →
6. (casual) «Nah», «nope», «no way», «no chance» are everyday ways to say no; «no worries» (Australia, NZ) means it's fine; «no biggie» means it doesn't matter. tree →
7. (rough) «No bloody way», «no chance, mate» and «hell no» are rough strong refusals. tree →
8. (formal) «Not any», «nil», «none whatsoever» and «in the negative» are stiff forms: «The answer is in the negative.» tree →

In the lessons

In maths: zero of something, or an answer to a yes/no question; «no more», «no longer», «none left». In everyday life and safety: signs and rules («No swimming», «No entry»); saying no to things that feel wrong or unsafe. In science: a yes/no answer to a test. In stories: «No way!», «Oh no!». In casual talk: «nah», «no worries», «no cap» (slang: no lie). In the exam voice: «nil», «no items whatsoever remain». Phrases: «no way», «no problem», «no thanks», «no one», «no doubt», «no matter».

Examples

• She has no pencils left. tree →
• No students were late. tree →
• Is 15 an even number? No. tree →
• There are no more cookies. tree →
• No running by the pool! tree →
• It is OK to say no if a game feels unsafe. tree →
• The box was no bigger than a shoe. tree →
• The sign said «No dogs allowed». tree →
• nah, no sweets left, ate the lot (casual) tree →
• «Thanks for the lift.» «No worries, mate.» (casual, Australia) tree →
• Lend you 5 quid? No bloody way, you never paid me back. (rough) tree →
• Subsequent to the distribution, no items whatsoever remained; determine the original quantity. (formal exam) tree →
• "No, sir, by design," returned Aladdin. tree →

Note

«No» can stand for the number 0. «No more» or «none left» means the amount is used up. Trap: a yes/no question needs a yes or no, not a number. Homophone: know (to have in your head). «No.» can also be short for number, as in «No. 5». «No worries» and «no problem» are friendly, not refusals. «No one» (two words) = nobody. Safety: you can always say no to a secret or a touch that makes you uncomfortable, and tell a trusted adult — even if the other person gets angry or rough.

In Jewish tradition

In the Torah it is often used in commands and promises, as in "Thou shalt have no other gods before Me."

Interpretation. Tradition reads "no other gods" as the start of the Ten Commandments, which forbids worshipping anything but the one God.

Examples

• Thou shalt make thee no molten gods. (Torah EXO.34.17, JPS 1917) tree →
• And Sarai was barren; she had no child. (Torah GEN.11.30, JPS 1917) tree →
• Thou shalt have no other gods before Me. (Torah EXO.20.3, JPS 1917) tree →
• Is there no balm in Gilead? (Prophets JER.8.22, JPS 1917) tree →
• No evil shall come upon us'? (Prophets MIC.3.11, JPS 1917) tree →
• Now Sheshan had no sons, but daughters. (Writings 1CH.2.34, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

«No» can stand for the number 0. «No more» or «none left» means the amount is used up. Trap: a yes/no question needs a yes or no, not a number. Homophone: know (to have in your head). «No.» can also be short for number, as in «No. 5». «No worries» and «no problem» are friendly, not refusals. «No one» (two words) = nobody. Safety: you can always say no to a secret or a touch that makes you uncomfortable, and tell a trusted adult — even if the other person gets angry or rough.