Όχι.

no

Questions & Answers about Όχι.

How do you pronounce Όχι?

IPA: [ˈoçi], stress on the first syllable. Roughly “OH-hee,” but the h-sound is stronger than English h.

• ό = like Spanish/Italian “o.”
• χ = a fricative, not English “ch.” Before ι it’s the softer German ich-sound [ç]. It is never “ok-see.”

Why is there an accent on the first letter?

Greek marks the stressed syllable with a tonos (´). ό-χι has two syllables and the stress is on the first, so it’s written όχι. At the start of a sentence it’s capitalized: Όχι.

Do I keep the accent when it’s capitalized?

• Sentence case: Όχι (keep the accent).
• All caps (e.g., on signs): ΟΧΙ. In full uppercase, the accent is usually omitted in modern practice.

I’ve seen “OXI” or “ochi” in Latin letters. Which is right?

Both appear. “Ochi” is a clearer learner transliteration because χ is not the English “x.” Greeks often write “oxi” informally in Latin script. Pronunciation is the same: [ˈoçi].

Is it wrong to write οχι (without the accent) in lowercase?

Yes. In standard modern Greek, all polysyllabic words must show the stress mark in lowercase. Write όχι, not οχι.

What part of speech is όχι?

It’s an indeclinable particle/adverb and also functions as an interjection. As a whole sentence, Όχι. means “No.” It can also negate or contrast a phrase (see below).

How is όχι different from δεν and μη(ν)?

• όχι = “no” (stand-alone) or “not” before a noun/phrase: Όχι καφέ, τσάι (Not coffee—tea).
• δεν = sentence negator for finite verbs: Δεν θέλω (I don’t want).
• μη(ν) = negative for imperatives/subjunctives: Μην πας! (Don’t go!), να μην πάω (so that I not go).

Can όχι mean “not,” like in “not this, but that”?

Yes, before phrases:

• Όχι αυτό, αλλά εκείνο. (Not this, but that.)
• Όχι μόνο … αλλά (και) … (Not only … but (also) …) But you don’t use όχι to negate a finite verb; use δεν: not όχι θέλω, but δεν θέλω.

How do I make a polite “no”?

Common softeners:

• Όχι, ευχαριστώ (πολύ). (No, thank you (very much).)
• Λυπάμαι, αλλά όχι. (I’m sorry, but no.)
• Όχι αυτή τη φορά. (Not this time.)
• Όχι, δεν μπορώ. (No, I can’t.)

What about colloquial alternatives to “no”?

• Μπα! (Nah!/No way!)
• Αποκλείεται! (Impossible!/No way!)
• Όχι ρε! (No, man!/No way! Very informal.)
• Δεν παίζει! (No way! Lit. “it doesn’t play.” Informal.)

What punctuation normally follows Όχι?

• Όχι. neutral refusal (period).
• Όχι! strong/emphatic refusal (exclamation).
• Όχι, … when followed by an explanation: Όχι, δεν μπορώ. Using Όχι; (with a Greek question mark “;”) would be a rare, rhetorical “No?”

How do answers with όχι work after negative questions?

Greek answers the proposition, not the form of the question.

• Δεν έρχεσαι; (Aren’t you coming?)
  • Ναι, έρχομαι. (Yes, I am coming.)
  • Όχι, δεν έρχομαι. (No, I’m not coming.) So ναι affirms the positive action; όχι denies it.

Are there common set phrases with όχι?

• Όχι μόνο … αλλά (και) … (Not only … but (also) …)
• Όχι αυτό, αλλά … (Not this, but …)
• Γιατί όχι; (Why not?)
• Όχι και τόσο. (Not really / not that much.)
• Όχι ακόμα / Όχι ακόμη. (Not yet.)
• Όχι πια. (Not anymore.)
• Όχι βέβαια! / Όχι φυσικά! (Of course not!)
• Όχι δα! (Certainly not! somewhat old-fashioned/colloquial)

Is there a difference between όχι and ωχ!?

Yes—don’t confuse them.

• όχι = “no,” pronounced [ˈoçi].
• ωχ! = “uh-oh/ouch!” an interjection of dismay/pain, pronounced [o̞x], no final ι.

Any cultural note about Όχι I should know?

Greece celebrates Το ΟΧΙ (Ohi Day) on October 28, commemorating the 1940 refusal to the Axis ultimatum. You’ll often see ΟΧΙ in all caps in this context.

What are typical learner mistakes with όχι?

• Pronouncing χ like English “ch” or “k.” Aim for the German-like fricative: /[ç] (here [ç]).
• Writing οχι without the accent (should be όχι in lowercase).
• Using όχι to negate a verb instead of δεν.
• Confusing ναι (yes) and όχι (no), especially in negative questions.