Nuance Dictionary / Column
아니에요 a-ni-e-yo
No / That's not it — the automatic conversational shield against direct praise
What does 아니에요 mean?
아니에요 (a-ni-e-yo) means: No / That's not it — the automatic conversational shield against direct praise.
While literally translating to 'it is not,' in the context of receiving a compliment, it functions as a linguistic reflex. It is a polite, immediate downward adjustment that prevents the speaker from appearing boastful or accepting undeserved status.
Related words in Column
별 말씀을요 byeol mal-ssu-reul-yo어머니 / 아버님 eo-meo-ni / a-beo-nim바람쐬러 가자 ba-ram-sswe-reo ga-ja내가 가만 안둬 nae-ga ga-man an-dwo난 끝까지 네 편이야 nan kkeut-kka-ji ne pyeon-i-ya