Looking for ways to sidestep a persistent vendor trying to charm you into buying a bracelet as you wander through Florence? Or maybe you’re searching for a polite way to decline that third helping of pasta from your overly generous Italian friend? Here, you’ll find 15 authentic ways to say “no” in Italian – whether you want to be polite, humourous, or a bit more direct. Each phrase comes with examples so you can confidently put your refusals to use in any situation. My personal favorite? #11!
1. No
(No)
The simplest way to say “no” in Italian is… well, no — just like in English! It’s clear, direct, and effective for almost any situation, whether you’re speaking formally or informally.
To soften it, you can add a grazie (thanks) at the end, which adds a touch of politeness:
Vuoi un caffè? – No, grazie!
Would you like a coffee? - No, thanks!
If you’re especially sorry to disappoint, you can add mi dispiace (I’m sorry). This works well if you truly don’t know the answer to a question or can’t fulfil a request, such as:
Scusa! Sai a che ora apre la farmacia? – No, mi dispiace.
Excuse me! Do you know what time the pharmacy opens? - No, sorry.
And for situations where a simple “no” just isn’t cutting it — say, with that persistent street vendor… — you can make your refusal stronger with Ho detto di no! (I said no!)
2. Non mi va
(I’m not up for it!)
If someone invites you to do something, but you’re just not feeling up to it – because hey, sometimes a cozy day in with your favourite show sounds much better – that’s when Non mi va comes in handy. It’s a polite way to say no in Italian without needing to explain too much, much like saying, “Nah, I’ll pass” in English.
Vieni al cinema stasera? – Non mi va.
Are you coming to the movies tonight? - I’m not up for it.
3. Neanche per sogno!
(No way!)
Use this phrase when someone suggests something you absolutely don’t want to do. Literally meaning “not even in a dream,” it’s the Italian equivalent of a strong “No way!” — unmistakably clear!
Potremmo salire fino in cima alla torre. – Neanche per sogno, troppe scale!
We could we climb to the top of the tower. – No way, too many stairs!
There are a few things to say about this expression. First, you can swap out neanche with nemmeno or neppure — they all mean “not even,” it’s just a matter of personal preference. For an even more casual vibe, you can use manco (a very informal option).
Additionally, if you want to add extra emphasis, start with a ma (but): Ma neanche per sogno! It means the same thing but sounds more… passionate!
Lastly, there are also some interesting synonyms for this phrase, like Neanche per idea (not even if I could imagine it), Neanche se mi paghi (not even if you paid me), or Neanche morto (not even dead). You could also use Non ci penso neanche or Non ci penso proprio, which both mean “I’m not even thinking about it.” Just pick the one that best fits your style!
4. Anche no!
(Not happening!)
Anche no literally means “also no” and it’s the Italian way of saying “How about… no?” Originally part of youth slang, it’s now used widely and casually also by adults. However, it’s best saved for informal settings with friends, family, or close colleagues. In a formal context, like turning down an invitation from your boss, it might come off as a bit… dismissive. So maybe skip it in those situations!
To add emphasis, Italians often throw in a ma (but) at the start. Here’s how it sounds in action:
Facciamo l’albero di Natale domenica? – Ma anche no, siamo solo a ottobre!
Shall we put up the Christmas tree on Sunday? – How about no, it’s only October!
5. Vorrei, ma non posso
(I’d love to, but I can’t)
Ever been in that situation where you’d love to join in on some fun plan, but other commitments just won’t allow it? That’s when you can use the Italian phrase Vorrei, ma non posso. It’s the perfect way to show that, yes, you’re totally interested, but something’s getting in the way.
To sound extra sincere (or a little dramatic), add a proprio (really) at the end:
Andiamo a vedere la partita del Milan sabato? – Vorrei, ma non posso proprio!
Shall we go watch the Milan game on Saturday? – I’d love to, but I really can’t!
6. Grazie, ma devo rifiutare
(Thank you but I must refuse)
This is a slightly more formal way to turn down an offer or invitation, perfect for situations where you want to be polite and professional. Imagine you’re being invited to collaborate on an exciting new project, but you’re already managing a mountain of tasks. You don’t want to seem uninterested, but you also can’t take on anything more. You can say:
La ringrazio, ma devo rifiutare. In questo momento non posso impegnarmi in un altro progetto.
Thank you, but I must decline. Right now, I can’t commit to another project.
7. Grazie, è come se avessi accettato
(Thanks, pretend I’ve accepted)
So, you’re visiting your Italian relatives, and just when you think you’ve finally recovered from a lunch that could have fed a small village, you zia (aunt) proudly brings out her homemade crostata. That’s when Grazie, è come se avessi accettato comes to the rescue to politely decline:
Devi assaggiare la mia crostata, l’ho appena fatta! – Grazie, è come se avessi accettato.
You have to try my crostata, I just made it. – Thank you, it’s as if I’ve already accepted.
This way, you sound gracious – without actually having to take another bite!
8. Non se ne parla
(That’s out of question, no way)
Non se ne parla literally means “one doesn’t talk about that” but it’s used to shut down an idea before it even has a chance, signalling that something is absolutely not an option. For instance, when facing your kid’s too-soon requests for freedom, you can say:
Non se ne parla nemmeno, sei troppo piccolo!
No way, you’re too young!
From a grammatical standpoint, we’ve got the verb parlare (to talk) combined with ne (a demonstrative pronoun referring to the topic being shut down), and se, which here is the impersonal form of si (changing to se when followed by another pronoun). Together, they form a solid “nope.”
For added emphasis, you can add proprio (really) or nemmeno (even) at the end, as if to say “that’s absolutely out of the question.”
Here’s a tip: for practice, listen to the catchy chorus in Adriano Celentano’s song Non se ne parla nemmeno!
9. Scordatelo
(Forget it, no way)
Similarly, we use scordatelo when someone’s suggestion sounds so wrong to us that we won’t even entertain it. It’s a strong, sometimes slightly exasperated way to say no, so save it for informal situations where your friends or family will appreciate the dramatic touch.
Let’s say you’re planning an epic Italian tour with a friend, and they suggest just one night in Florence. Are they kidding?! A single night isn’t nearly enough time! So you respond:
Scordatelo, una notte non basta – io devo vedere tutto!
Forget it, one night’s not enough – I must see everything!
Grammatically, scordatelo is the imperative form of scordarsi, which is the reflexive form of scordare (to forget). When you say scordatelo, you’re using te (the reflexive pronoun ti, standing for “you”, which becomes te when followed by another pronoun) with lo, the pronoun meaning “it.” To address a group, just switch to scordatevelo.
10. Non mi sembra il caso
(It doesn’t seem appropriate to me)
This is the perfect phrase for those times when you need to gently but firmly push back on an idea that’s doesn’t seem quite right. As usual, if you want to add a touch of emphasis, just throw in proprio (really), as in Non mi sembra proprio il caso – it’s like saying, “Really, I don’t think this is the time for that.” For example:
Pensavo di mettermi il vestito nero. – Non mi sembra il caso, è un matrimonio!
I was thinking of wearing the black dress. – I don’t think that’s appropriate; it’s a wedding!
You can also pair non mi sembra il caso with the preposition di and an infinitive verb to specify what action doesn’t seem appropriate. Here’s how it looks:
Chiamiamo Laura, magari viene! – Ha già detto di no, non mi sembra il caso di insistere.
Let’s call Laura; maybe she’ll come! – She already said no, it doesn’t seem right to insist.
In this form, non mi sembra il caso can also imply “there’s no need to.” A common expression we use all the time in Italy in response to someone who’s making a big deal out of a small issue is:
Non mi sembra il caso di farne un dramma!
There’s no need to make a fuss about it!
11. Per carità!
(Please, hell no)
This is one of those Italian expressions that packs in both drama and humor. Per carità literally means “for charity,” but in everyday use, it expresses exaggerated horror, as if you’re begging the universe to spare you. It’s like saying, “Please, no way!” in English.
You can use Per carità on its own to reject something outright or pair it with something you’d rather do to make it even clearer how strongly you feel. Just introduce your “alternative” with piuttosto (rather), like:
Allora, esci con Matteo stasera? – Per carità! Piuttosto mi faccio suora!
So, are you going out with Matteo tonight? – Please, no way! I’d rather become a nun!
For extra emphasis, you might add di Dio at the end, turning it into Per carità di Dio! (For the love of God!), signaling that whatever is being suggested is beyond the realm of acceptability.
Per carità can also soften a statement, as in “I admit that…” or “to be fair.” In this usage, it’s typically followed by ma (but) or però (however). For example:
Per carità, è tutto buono, ma penso che i prezzi siano troppo alti.
To be fair, everything’s good, but I think the prices are too high.
12. Ne dubito
(I doubt it)
When you don’t want to give a firm “no,” but rather sense that something likely won’t happen or didn’t happen, you can use Ne dubito. This expression combines the verb dubitare (to doubt) with the pronoun ne, which refers to whatever it is you’re doubting, as if you’re saying “I doubt that.”
Pensi che riusciremo a vedere anche i Musei Vaticani oggi? – Ne dubito; è già tardi e c’è sempre molta fila.
Do you think we’ll manage to see also the Vatican Museums today? – I doubt it; it’s already late and there’s always a long line.
Alternatives include non penso (I don’t think so), non credo (I don’t believe so), or mi sa di no (I’d say no).
13. Ma quando mai
(What are you saying)
We use this phrase for playfully dismissing a suggestion that’s so ridiculous it’s almost laughable, like saying “What are you talking about? That’s never happened!” It carries a tone of irony and sarcasm and we often accompany it with the classic “What?” hand gesture (thumb and fingers bunched together in an “ostrich” shape).
It’s particularly effective in playful banter among friends or in lively discussions where the truth is a bit exaggerated, for example:
Anna è proprio simpatica! – Ma quando mai, quella è una vipera!
Anna is really nice! – What are you saying? She’s a snake!
14. Macché
(Not at all)
This is a super common word to say no in Italian, often carrying a sense of disappointment or exasperation. It’s perfect for times when you’re not just saying no, but also wishing things were different. For example:
Hai mangiato? – Macché! Non ho avuto nemmeno il tempo di andare in bagno!
Have you eaten? – Not at all! I didn’t even have time to go to the bathroom!
Macchè can also be followed by the verb or idea you’re rejecting to emphasise your point:
Che ne dici di uscire? – Macché uscire, ho un sacco di panni da stirare!
What do you say we go out? - Yeah right, I have a ton of laundry to do!
Guardiamo un horror stasera? – Macché horror! Lo sai che ho paura!
Shall we watch a horror movie tonight? - Horror, yeah right! You know I’m scared!
15. Col cavolo
(Like hell, no way)
Literally translating to “with the cabbage,” Col cavolo is a slang expression that firmly says “no way” in a playful yet emphatic tone. It’s best for casual conversations when you want to make it clear that you’re absolutely unwilling to do something
Mi presti la moto? – Col cavolo!
Can I borrow your motorcycle? – No way!
If you really want to emphasise the intensity of your refusal, you can go for the stronger version: Col cazzo (lit. With the dick). However, use it with caution and only in conversations with your super inner circle of friends where everyone is comfortable with the level of bluntness.
Valentina Nicastro is a travel writer in love with her home country, Italy. Having travelled widely around the globe, she realised there was more to explore closer to home and decided to put the passport aside for a while. When she is not immersed in documenting Italy, you’ll find her donning her communication consultant hat, weaving words as a content writer and bridging linguistic divides as a translator.
