# không meaning in Vietnamese: no (A1)

> không means “no, not” in Vietnamese. It can also mean question ending, zero, without. Examples with audio, in Northern and Southern wording.

Source: https://vietnamesebuddy.com/words/khong-no/ · Updated 2026-10-31

**không**: no, not · question ending · zero · without

Level: A1 (our estimate)

Typed without accents: khong

Also written: hông (Saigon)

## 1. no, not (adverb)

Before a verb it means not: *em không nói*.

- Em không biết. — I don't know.
- Không, cảm ơn. — No, thanks.

Level: A1

Grammar: [Not: không before the verb or adjective](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/grammar/khong-not/) · [Answering yes/no questions: có, không, or the verb again](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/grammar/yes-no-answers/)

## 2. question ending (particle)

Goes at the very end of a yes-or-no question, usually with *có* before the verb (*Anh có thích Đà Lạt không?*), and is answered *có* or *không*. Before an adjective, *có* is usually left out: *Em mệt không?*

- Chị có muốn uống cà phê không? — Would you like a coffee?
- Em mệt không? — Are you tired?

Level: A1

Grammar: [Yes/no questions with có … không](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/grammar/co-khong-question/)

## 3. zero (number)

The same word also means 'no / not'.

- Phòng em số ba không năm. — My room is number 305.
- Số điện thoại bắt đầu bằng số không. — The phone number starts with a zero.

Level: A1

## 4. without (preposition)

without, no (sugar, ice …)

When you order: *cà phê không đường*, coffee with no sugar.

- Saigon: Cho em một ly cà phê không đường. | Hà Nội: Cho em một cốc cà phê không đường. — A coffee with no sugar, please.
- Em ăn phở không hành. — I'll have phở without green onions.

Level: A1

Previous: [khỏe không](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/words/khoe-khong/)
Next: [không biết](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/words/khong-biet/)

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