否(いや)

いや
interjection/noun
no, nay
See also: 嫌(いや) (unpleasant (嫌))
1. no, nay
A negative response or refusal.
否(いや)、違(ちが)います。
No, that's not right.
賛成(さんせい)か否(いや)か。
For or against.
否(いや)、そうではなくて。
No, that's not it.
否(いや)と言(い)えない。
I can't say no.
否(いや)、彼(かれ)は正(ただ)しい。
No, he is right.
否(いや)、私(わたし)ではありません。
No, it wasn't me.
2. rather, or rather
Used to correct or reconsider what was said.
否(いや)、待(ま)って。
Wait, no.
Reconsidering
否(いや)、考(かんが)え直(なお)そう。
No wait, let me reconsider.
否(いや)、三人(さんにん)ではなく四人(よにん)だった。
No, rather it was four people, not three.
否(いや)、明日(あした)のほうがいい。
Actually, tomorrow would be better.
否(いや)、やっぱり今日(きょう)行(い)こう。明日(あした)は雨(あめ)かもしれない。
Actually, let's go today after all. It might rain tomorrow.

否(いや) is used in two main ways: as a negative response meaning "no" and as a self-correction marker meaning "no, wait" or "rather."

SENSE 1 — NEGATION:

As a negative response, it is more formal and literary than いいえ. Often found in written language, speeches, and formal discussions.

  • 賛否(さんぴ): for and against
  • 否(いや)と言(い)えない: cannot say no
  • 否定(ひてい): denial, negation

SENSE 2 — SELF-CORRECTION:

Used at the start of a sentence to retract or revise what was just said. Common in natural speech.

  • 否(いや)、やっぱり…: no, actually…
  • 否(いや)、待(ま)って: no wait

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • いいえ: no (standard polite)
  • ううん: no (casual)
  • 否(いや): no (formal) / actually (self-correction)

CAUTION:
Do not confuse with 嫌(いや) (unpleasant, disagreeable) — same reading but completely different meaning and kanji.

core
Added 2026.1.9 21:30 · Revised 2026.4.5 18:02
01500/01920_iya