FastItalian LearningSign in
PhrasesAgreeing and DisagreeingPer niente!
A2

Per niente!

Not at all!

Pronunciation

'Per niente' — per NIEN-te. Stress on 'niente'. The 'ni' sounds like 'ny' — two syllables 'nien-te'.

When to use it

Use to strongly disagree or deny something. Also used as a response to 'grazie' to mean 'don't mention it / not at all'.

What it means

'Per niente' has two functions: as disagreement ('not at all / absolutely not') and as a response to thanks ('not at all / you're welcome'). Context makes the meaning clear. As disagreement, it's stronger than 'no' alone.

Variations

Assolutamente no.

Absolutely not.

'Assolutamente no' — very firm negative — signals strong principled refusal

Neanche per sogno!

Not even in a dream!

Idiomatic — 'neanche per sogno' (not even in a dream) = absolutely not, no way

Ma figuriamoci!

Of course not! / Definitely not!

'Figuriamoci' — ironic first-person plural of 'figurarsi' — emphatic 'no way'

Mini Dialogue

— Ti ha convinto il suo discorso? — Per niente! Era pieno di contraddizioni. — Anche a me sembrava debole. — Debolissimo. Non ha risposto alle obiezioni.

— Did his speech convince you? — Not at all! It was full of contradictions. — It seemed weak to me too. — Very weak. He didn't answer the objections.

Cultural Note

Italians are forthright in their negative opinions about speeches, presentations, and performances. 'Non mi ha convinto' (it didn't convince me) is a standard Italian verdict that requires no softening in informal contexts.