What are simple "No" responses?


I've learned from textbooks and online sites like Duolingo that "no" is いいえ,
but I've rarely heard native speakers say that. I learned さあ today as sort of
an "I don't know" response. I saw a subtitled film that translated "no" as いや.
Are there more simple responses like these that can represent "no," and if so,
can you include how common or polite they are?




You're absolutely right about いいえ not being used as "no" in most cases. I
can't recall the last time I heard a native speaker actually use it. Here are
some of the most common ways I've heard the meaning of "no" being expressed:

> ## **違うよ - "to differ".**
>

>> Speaker 1: お寿司が大好きだったよね？

>>

>> Speaker 2: **違うよ** ！お寿司が嫌い！

>
> ## **ううん**
>

>> Speaker 1: もう寝る？

>>

>> Speaker 2: **ううん** 、まだ寝ない

>
> ## **Verb＋ない**
>

>> Speaker 1: もう寝る？

>>

>> Speaker 2: **まだ寝ないよ**

>
> ## **だめだよ** - "it's bad/wrong"
>

>> Speaker 1: このケーキを食べていい？

>>

>> Speaker 2: それはお父さんのケーキだから **ダメだよ**

>
> ## **いや**
>
> This is a bit nuanced, so I'll refer you to this great description: [The
> usage of いや in response to
> questions](https://japanese.stackexchange.com/questions/24967/the-usage-
> of-%e3%81%84%e3%82%84-in-response-to-questions)




You're absolutely right about いいえ not being used as "no" in most cases. I
can't recall the last time I heard a native speaker actually use it. Here are
some of the most common ways I've heard the meaning of "no" being expressed:

> ## **違うよ - "to differ".**
>

>> Speaker 1: お寿司が大好きだったよね？

>>

>> Speaker 2: **違うよ** ！お寿司が嫌い！

>
> ## **ううん**
>

>> Speaker 1: もう寝る？

>>

>> Speaker 2: **ううん** 、まだ寝ない

>
> ## **Verb＋ない**
>

>> Speaker 1: もう寝る？

>>

>> Speaker 2: **まだ寝ないよ**

>
> ## **だめだよ** - "it's bad/wrong"
>

>> Speaker 1: このケーキを食べていい？

>>

>> Speaker 2: それはお父さんのケーキだから **ダメだよ**

>
> ## **いや**
>
> This is a bit nuanced, so I'll refer you to this great description: [The
> usage of いや in response to
> questions](https://japanese.stackexchange.com/questions/24967/the-usage-
> of-%e3%81%84%e3%82%84-in-response-to-questions)

