What does non in French mean?

What is the meaning of the word non in French? The article explains the full meaning, pronunciation along with bilingual examples and instructions on how to use non in French.

The word non in French means no, not, [verb] + not, won't you?, isn't he? can't they? etc., non-, non-, We can dream, can't we?, nonprofit, non-profit, not-for-profit, soft verge, oh no! no way!, be dismissed, of course not, soft drink, unpaid subscribed capital, medical certificate attesting to the absence of contagious diseases, non-competition clause, non-verbal communication, indispensable condition, non-perishable goods, say no, say no to, non-contractual document, non-drinkable water, not to scale, unweighted headcount, undesired effects, unwanted effects, and a good one at that, and not a bad one at that, invoice that is not yet due, bill that is not yet due, shake your head, outright dismissal, flat refusal, outright refusal, non-Euclidean geometry, unsaturated fat, unwanted pregnancy, undeclared war, that's pushing it, talk about pushing it, unfortunately not, don't say yes or no, the yes or no game, day off, in fact, no, actually, no, No!, Of course not!, Not at all!, private doctor, non-volatile memory, me neither, yes/no game, yes or no game, contingent, not yet acquired, innate, alcohol-free, soft, non-executive, not counted, not taken into account, uncountable, non-compliant, not content with, non-contractual, unconventional, non-traditional, not guilty, unwanted, unconcealed, open, unfounded, unidentified, non liability for tax, independent, independent, not far, unread, Look here!, Are you out of your mind?, Well really!, Oh no!, Seriously?! Really?!, Really!, I'm not kidding!, no thank you, no thanks, I'm fine, unfurnished, no less + [adj], just as + [adj], at least as + [adj], equally famous, unreserved, unassigned, non-working, not, not that, non-drinking, not refundable, not reimbursable, not without, not without doing, not without difficulty, not without hesitation, not without trouble, not without reminding, out-of-school, not only, not only ... but also, Not only ... also, unsolicited, sugar-free, not followed up, non-unionized, non-union worker, non-union member, unvoiced, non-aggression, non-alignment, failure to assist, failure to assist a person in danger, lack of competition, nonconformism. To learn more, please see the details below.

Listen to pronunciation

Meaning of the word non

no

adverbe (négation : réponse à une question)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
– Tu aimes le fromage ? – Non.
"Do you like cheese?" "No, I don't."

not

adverbe (négation)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Mon frère a 30 ans et non 40 ans !
My brother is 30, not 40!

[verb] + not

adverbe (négation d'une proposition)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Je partirai, elle non. Pourquoi est-ce que tu me demandes si j'aime le fromage ; tu sais bien que non !
I'll leave but she won't. Why are you asking if I like cheese? You know very well that I don't.

won't you?, isn't he? can't they? etc.

adverbe (confirmation) (tag question)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Quelle belle journée, non ? Tu viendras, non ?
What a lovely day, isn't it? You're coming, aren't you?

non-

adverbe (négation : devant adjectif) (mainly UK)

(prefix: Added to front of word stem--for example, unsaid = un+said.)
Ce contrat est non négociable.
This contract is non-negotiable.

non-

(négation : devant un nom) (mainly UK)

(prefix: Added to front of word stem--for example, unsaid = un+said.)

We can dream, can't we?

(Pourquoi ne pas tenter ?)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

nonprofit, non-profit, not-for-profit

locution adjectivale (non commercial) (organization)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Les associations de type loi 1901 sont à but non lucratif.

soft verge

nom masculin (bord de route instable) (UK)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Un accotement non stabilisé ne peut supporter le poids d'un véhicule.

oh no! no way!

(sûrement pas !)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Ah non ! J'ai dit que je ne viendrai pas !

be dismissed

locution verbale (être libéré de poursuites judiciaires) (case, charges)

ⓘCette phrase n'est pas une traduction de la phrase originale. Because there is no new evidence, his case has been dismissed.

of course not

interjection (absolument pas)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")
- Tu as revu ton ancienne copine ? - Bien sûr que non !

soft drink

nom féminin (boisson sans alcool)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Les jus de fruits sont des boissons non alcoolisées.

unpaid subscribed capital

nom masculin (finance : somme restant dûe) (Finance)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

medical certificate attesting to the absence of contagious diseases

nom masculin (attestation de non contagion)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Un certificat médical de non contagion est nécessaire pour pouvoir laisser son enfant à la crèche lorsqu'il est malade.

non-competition clause

nom féminin (interdiction écrite de concurrence) (UK)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

non-verbal communication

nom féminin (échange sans parole)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

indispensable condition

nom féminin (clause indispensable)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
La condition sine qua non à notre accord était qu'il ne vive plus dans notre ville.

non-perishable goods

nom féminin pluriel (denrée se conservant longtemps)

(plural noun: Noun always used in plural form--for example, "jeans," "scissors.")

say no

locution verbale (refuser)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

say no to

locution verbale (refuser [qch])

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

non-contractual document

nom masculin (document susceptible de modification)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

non-drinkable water

nom féminin (eau impropre à la consommation)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Cette fontaine est décorative, elle utilise une eau non potable.

not to scale

nom féminin (taille non proportionnelle)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

unweighted headcount

nom masculin (nombre donné brut)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

undesired effects, unwanted effects

nom masculin pluriel (conséquences non prévues)

(plural noun: Noun always used in plural form--for example, "jeans," "scissors.")

and a good one at that, and not a bad one at that

locution adjectivale (à ne pas négliger)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Mon frère est un pianiste. Et non des moindres !
My brother is a pianist, and a good one at that!

invoice that is not yet due, bill that is not yet due

nom féminin (facture dont le délai n'est pas échu)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

shake your head

locution verbale (dénier avec la tête)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

outright dismissal

nom féminin (déclaration de demande irrecevable)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

flat refusal, outright refusal

nom féminin (figuré (refus absolu de [qch]) (figurative)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

non-Euclidean geometry

nom féminin (géométrie excluant les parallèles)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

unsaturated fat

nom féminin (graisse favorable à la santé)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

unwanted pregnancy

nom féminin (grossesse imprévue)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

undeclared war

nom féminin (conflit larvé)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

that's pushing it, talk about pushing it

(il faut rester raisonnable) (informal)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Attends. La mère de Jason veut que je conduise son fils au tournoi de foot, que je le fasse manger, et que je le ramène chez lui, après un détour de 50 km ! Faut pas exagérer non plus !

unfortunately not

(pas en l'occurrence)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Peux-tu encore me prêter ta voiture ? Il se trouve que non, elle est chez le garagiste.

don't say yes or no, the yes or no game

nom masculin (jeu)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

day off

nom masculin (jour de repos)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

in fact, no, actually, no

locution adverbiale (contrairement à ce qu'on pense : non)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
- Je suis trop vieux pour postuler dans cette start-up. - Justement non, ils cherchent des gens avec de l'expérience.

No!, Of course not!, Not at all!

interjection (pas du tout !)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")
Ta voiture est encore en panne ? Mais non !

private doctor

nom masculin (médecin sans remboursement)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

non-volatile memory

nom féminin (mémoire se conservant après coupure électrique) (computing)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Un disque dur est un support de la mémoire non volatile.

me neither

(aussi non en ce qui me concerne)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
- Je n'ai pas faim. - Moi non plus.
"I'm not hungry." "Nor am I." ⓘCette phrase n'est pas une traduction de la phrase originale. "He doesn't know the answer." "Nor do I."

yes/no game, yes or no game

nom masculin (jeu)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Je suis nulle au ni oui ni non ; je préférerais jouer à autre chose.

contingent

locution adjectivale (Droit : susceptible d'annulation) (Law)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

not yet acquired

locution adjectivale (Éducation : non maîtrisé) (Education)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

innate

locution adjectivale (Biologie, Social : inné) (Biology)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

alcohol-free, soft

locution adjectivale (sans alcool)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
They were selling soft drinks only.

non-executive

locution adjectivale (employé qui n'est pas cadre)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

not counted, not taken into account

locution adjectivale (non pris en compte)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

uncountable

locution adjectivale (Grammaire (mot : indénombrable) (grammar)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
"Neige" est un mot non comptable.

non-compliant

locution adjectivale (qui ne respecte pas les normes)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Ces produits non conformes seront rappelés.

not content with

locution adverbiale (non seulement)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Non contente d'être belle fille elle voudrait un riche mari.

non-contractual

locution adjectivale (qui n'engage pas, à titre d'exemple)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

unconventional, non-traditional

locution adjectivale (qui n'est pas classique)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Les armes chimiques ou radiologiques sont des armes non conventionnelles.

not guilty

locution adjectivale (verdict : innocent) (law)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

unwanted

locution adjectivale (bébé, grossesse : non planifié) (baby, pregnancy)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Que faire en cas de grossesse non désirée ? Le jeune homme ne se remettait pas d'apprendre qu'il était un enfant non désiré.
The young man couldn't get over learning that he was an accident.

unconcealed

locution adjectivale (visible)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

open

locution adjectivale (figuré (grand, fort)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Le lauréat a accueilli son prix avec une joie non dissimulée.

unfounded

locution adjectivale (sans base réelle)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

unidentified

locution adjectivale (qui n'est pas reconnu)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

non liability for tax

nom féminin (impôts : absence de taxation)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

independent

adjectif (non politiquement affilié)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Cette candidate non-inscrite a un programme intéressant.

independent

(politique non-affilié)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Ce candidat est un non-inscrit.

not far

adverbe (près de)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Ma sœur habite non loin de chez moi.

unread

adjectif (ignoré)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Ces textes sont restés non lus pendant des années.

Look here!

interjection (renforce une affirmation)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")
Alors, c'est qui le chef ? Non mais ! Non mais ça va pas bien ?!

Are you out of your mind?

(familier (Il y a vraiment un problème.)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Qu'est-ce que c'est que cette histoire ? Non, mais ça va pas ou quoi ?

Well really!

interjection (contestation)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")
Non mais des fois ! Tu ne me prendrais pas pour un imbécile ?

Oh no!

interjection (exprime l'agacement)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")
Non mais, oh, tu vas arrêter de me parler comme ça !

Seriously?! Really?!

interjection (sérieusement)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")
Non, mais sans rire, tu as vraiment perdu ton travail ?

Really!

interjection (exprime l'irritation, l'agacement)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")
Mais elle se prend pour qui, celle-là ? Je l'ai remise à sa place vite fait ! Non mais sans blague !

I'm not kidding!

interjection (ça suffit, à la fin)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")
Je vais bien finir par me faire obéir, non mais tout de même !
I will be obeyed in the end; I'm not kidding!

no thank you

(expression de refus poli)

Voudriez-vous une tasse de café ? - Non merci.

no thanks, I'm fine

(refus poli)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

unfurnished

locution adjectivale (location : sans meuble)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

no less + [adj], just as + [adj], at least as + [adj]

locution adverbiale (très)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")

equally famous

locution adjectivale (tout aussi connu)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Une expo sur John Lennon et la non moins célèbre Yoko Ono.

unreserved, unassigned

locution adjectivale (non réservé à [qqn])

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

non-working

locution adjectivale (jour : ouvrable non travaillé) (day)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

not

locution adverbiale (emphase pour non)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")

not that

locution conjonction (c'est n'est pas que)

(conjunction: Connects words, clauses, and sentences--for example, "and," "but," "because," "in order that.")
Non pas que je sois venu chez toi pour cela, mais j'en profite pour te dire que ton fils a encore pris le vélo de Paul.

non-drinking

locution adjectivale (à ne pas boire)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

not refundable, not reimbursable

locution adjectivale (qui ne peut être remboursé)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Pour ne pas voyager trop cher, j'ai pris un billet non modifiable, non remboursable.

not without

locution adverbiale (sans oublier de faire [qch])

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")

not without doing

locution adverbiale (ayant vainement)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
I gave up but not without trying.

not without difficulty

locution adverbiale (difficilement)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")

not without hesitation

locution adverbiale (avec réticence)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

not without trouble

locution adverbiale (difficilement)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")

not without reminding

locution adverbiale (sans oublier [qch])

out-of-school

adjectif (non inscrit à l'école)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

not only

locution adverbiale (primo, en premier lieu)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Non seulement il n'y connaît rien mais en plus ça ne l'intéresse absolument pas.

not only ... but also

locution conjonction (déjà ... mais en outre)

(conjunction: Connects words, clauses, and sentences--for example, "and," "but," "because," "in order that.")
Non seulement il n'aide pas son frère mais en plus il ne fait rien à l'école !

Not only ... also

locution conjonction (déjà ... mais en outre)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Non seulement il est lent mais il est aussi idiot.
He is not only slow, but stupid with it.

unsolicited

locution adjectivale (inopportun)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

sugar-free

locution adjectivale (sans sucre)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

not followed up

(sans conséquence non mis en pratique)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

non-unionized

locution adjectivale (qui n'adhère à aucun syndicat)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
L'ouvrière est restée non syndiquée pendant 10 avant de s'encarter.

non-union worker, non-union member

(personne non membre d'un syndicat)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Il y a une majorité de non-syndiqués dans les entreprises de nos jours.

unvoiced

locution adjectivale (Phonétique (qui ne fait pas vibrer les cordes vocales)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Ce phonème non voisé n'entraîne pas de vibration des cordes vocales.

non-aggression

nom féminin (absence d'agression)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
L'Allemagne et l'URSS signèrent un traité de non-agression en 1939.

non-alignment

nom masculin (politique internationale indépendante) (UK)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

failure to assist

nom féminin (abstention volontaire de porter assistance)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Ne pas porter secours peut être appeler non-assistance à personne en danger.

failure to assist a person in danger

nom féminin (refus de secours)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
La non-assistance à personne en danger concerne une personne qui n'intervient pas face à une personne courant un danger.

lack of competition

nom féminin (absence de concurrence)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
La non-concurrence sur ce marché les place en situation de monopole.
The lack of competition in this market gives them a monopoly.

nonconformism

nom masculin (attitude non conformiste)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le non-conformisme n'est pas toujours facile à assumer.

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Related words of non

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French (le français) is a Romance language. Like Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish, it comes from popular Latin, once used in the Roman Empire. A French-speaking person or country can be called a "Francophone". French is the official language in 29 countries. French is the fourth most spoken native language in the European Union. French ranks third in the EU, after English and German, and is the second most widely taught language after English. The majority of the world's French-speaking population lives in Africa, with about 141 million Africans from 34 countries and territories who can speak French as a first or second language. French is the second most widely spoken language in Canada, after English, and both are official languages at the federal level. It is the first language of 9.5 million people or 29% and the second language of 2.07 million people or 6% of the entire population of Canada. In contrast to other continents, French has no popularity in Asia. Currently, no country in Asia recognizes French as an official language.