'I'm no hero,' says Jessica Lynch

[Hong Kong Chinese]

I’d like someone to remind me the exact meaning of this sentence - I am no hero. And I understand that it is not equivalent of this sentence – I am not a hero. Many thanks in advance!

Link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3262377.stm

[Casiopea]

'not' functions as an adverb. It negates a verb, an action or state. For example:

"I am not" means, I don't exist.

'no' functions as an adjective. It negates a noun, a person, place, or thing. For example:

"I am no hero" means, heros are none.

In other words, when someone says, "I am no hero", they're expressing this:

I didn't even consider that I was a hero. Hero has nothing to do with anything. hero = none = no = zero = I am no hero.

If, however, someone says, "I am not a hero", they're expressing this:

I considered that I was a hero, and then I decided that I wasn't a hero. hero = possibility = not a possibility = I am not a hero.

:D

[Masfer]

I haven't understood quite well what is the difference between I am no hero and I am not a hero
I think the first one means: "Heroes don't exist at all" and the second one means "Heroes do exist, but I am not one", is it correct? Could you write another sentences showing the difference?

BTW: the plural of hero is heroes or heros ?

ByE!

[Tdol]

I haven't understood quite well what is the difference between I am no hero and I am not a hero
I think the first one means: "Heroes don't exist at all" and the second one means "Heroes do exist, but I am not one", is it correct? Could you write another sentences showing the difference?

BTW: the plural of hero is heroes or heros ?

ByE!

It's heroes

I'd say 'I'm no hero' is a stronger rejection of the idea, a more emphatic denial.

[RonBee]

I agree with Tdol. The two sentences mean the same thing except that 'I'm no hero' might be a stronger statement.

:)

[Hong Kong Chinese]

Thank you, Casiopea for the detailed explanation and Tdol for the concise explanation.
I remember it now – They translated it as “I am not a hero at all” in Chinese

[RonBee]

Thank you, Casiopea for the detailed explanation and Tdol for the concise explanation.
I remember it now – They translated it as “I am not a hero at all” in Chinese

That's a good translation.

:D

[Tdol]

Thank you, Casiopea for the detailed explanation and Tdol for the concise explanation.
I remember it now – They translated it as “I am not a hero at all” in Chinese

I tend to be short on detail in my answers. I try to get it into one line. ;-|

[Masfer]

Sometime it is better to give a concise, simple answer than a long and complex one.
Anyway, I like both of them 8)

[Tdol]

I will when you make some.