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Kotomora

否

negate, no, noes, refuse, decline, deny

JLPTN3StatusJōyō · grade 6FrequencyTop 1,000Strokes7

Readings

On'yomi

  • ヒ

Kun'yomi

  • いな
  • いや

Meaning

否 centers on negation: saying no, refusing, denying, or declining something. It expresses a clear negative response or rejection.

Most common words using 否

20 of 108
  • 否定ひてい
    N3

    denial; negation; repudiation; disavowal

  • 拒否きょひ
    N2

    refusal; rejection; denial; veto

  • 否いな

    no; nay

  • 否いや

    no

  • 否ひ

    no; the noes

  • 賛否さんぴ
    N1

    yes and no; for and against

  • 否むいなむ

    to refuse; to decline

  • 否むいやむ

    to detest; to dislike

  • 否認ひにん
    N1

    denial; negation; repudiation; disapproval

  • 否決ひけつ
    N1

    rejection; negation; voting down

  • 安否あんぴ
    N1

    safety; welfare; well-being

  • 可否かひ

    propriety; right and wrong; advisability; possibility

  • 合否ごうひ

    success or failure; result

  • 否応いやおう

    yes or no answer; agreement or disagreement; consent or refusal

  • 成否せいひ

    success or failure; outcome; result

  • や否ややいなや

    the minute (that) ...; no sooner than ...; as soon as

  • 否やいなや

    as soon as; no sooner than; one way or another

  • 否応なしにいやおうなしに

    whether one likes it or not; inevitably; unavoidably; compulsorily; by force

  • 認否にんぴ

    approval or disapproval; admission or denial

  • 存否ぞんぴ

    (whether) existent or non-existent; life or death

Explore all words using 否 →

Study

Etymology

否 combines 不 (not) with 口 (mouth), suggesting a verbal negation or refusal. The structure is straightforward and well established.

Meaning mnemonic

A mouth 口 under a 'not' 不 symbol: the mouth is saying no, refusing or denying something.

Reading mnemonic

For ヒ, imagine someone firmly saying 'No!' and giving a thumbs-down with a sharp 'Hee!' sound of disapproval: Hee -> ヒ.