Cool MateNo kiddin vs You don't say
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
No kiddin
InformalTop 3,000 (common)
You don't say
InformalTop 5,000 (fairly common)
Most common: No kiddin
| No kiddin | You don't say | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //nəʊ ˈkɪdɪn//🇺🇸 //noʊ ˈkɪdɪn// | 🇬🇧 //juː dəʊnt seɪ//🇺🇸 //ju doʊnt seɪ// |
| Meaning | Really? Are you serious? | An expression used when surprised or doubtful about something. |
| Example | You actually won the lottery? No kiddin! | He just won the lottery? You don't say! |
| Register | Informal | Informal |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| Collocations | No kiddin, really, I mean, no kiddin, Seriously, no kiddin | You don't say!, You don't say it lightly, You don't say with doubt |
| Common mistakes | Used in formal contexts where it sounds inappropriate., Confused with 'No kidding', which has the same meaning., Mispronounced, leading to misunderstandings. | Used inappropriately in serious discussions., Confused with similar phrases like 'Really?' or 'Is that so?', Not recognizing the sarcasm in the tone. |
| Usage notes | Used in casual settings to express surprise or disbelief. It's not suitable for formal conversations. | Used in casual conversations, often sarcastically. It’s less appropriate in formal settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: No kiddin vs You don't say
What's the difference between No kiddin and You don't say?
No kiddin: Really? Are you serious? You don't say: An expression used when surprised or doubtful about something.
Which is more common: No kiddin and You don't say?
No kiddin is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
No kiddin: You actually won the lottery? No kiddin! You don't say: He just won the lottery? You don't say!
Can I use No kiddin and You don't say interchangeably?
Not always. No kiddin and You don't say are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.