Cool MateNot really vs Yeah no
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Not really
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Yeah no
InformalTop 3,000 (common)
Most common: Not really
| Not really | Yeah no | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //nɒt ˈrɪəli//🇺🇸 //nɑt ˈrɪəli// | 🇬🇧 //jɛː nəʊ//🇺🇸 //jɛ noʊ// |
| Meaning | Not true or correct. | A way to say no, but it sounds friendly. |
| Example | When he said he was an expert, I thought, 'Not really'. | Do you think he will come to the party? |
| Register | Informal | Informal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| Collocations | not really my thing, not really sure, not really interested | yeah no way, just yeah no, yeah no problem |
| Antonyms | - | definitely yes, absolutely, surely |
| Common mistakes | Using it in very formal writing or speeches., Confusing with 'not really' as a definitive answer instead of an expression of doubt. | Used in formal situations., Confused with 'yeah' or 'no' alone., Mispronounced or said too quickly. |
| Usage notes | Used to express disagreement or doubt. Common in casual conversations, but may be too informal for formal settings. | Use when you want to disagree casually. Often used in friendly conversations; not appropriate for formal settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Not really vs Yeah no
What's the difference between Not really and Yeah no?
Not really: Not true or correct. Yeah no: A way to say no, but it sounds friendly.
Which is more common: Not really and Yeah no?
Not really is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Not really: When he said he was an expert, I thought, 'Not really'. Yeah no: Do you think he will come to the party?
Can I use Not really and Yeah no interchangeably?
Not always. Not really and Yeah no 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.