'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.

 

[Masfer]

re

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]

Re: re

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.

 

[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]

re

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. ;-)

 

[Casiopea]

Re: re

I haven't understood quite well what the difference is 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!

You're 100% correct

Thanks for the spelling tip It's heroes.

 

[RonBee]

Re: re

I haven't understood quite well what the difference is 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!

You're 100% correct

Thanks for the spelling tip It's heroes.

But he's not right if he thinks I am no hero means there are no heroes, is he?

 

[Casiopea]

Re: re

But he's not right if he thinks I am no hero means there are no heroes, is he?

Within the given context, it's OK:

In this particular situation there are no heroes. Heroes were not considered at all.

Ellipsis: "I am no hero means, there are no heroes (who exist in this situation)."

 

[RonBee]

My interpretation

My interpretation:

• I am no hero means:
  
  [list:94ea39ddc5]"Too much attention is being focused on me. I am not the hero in this situation."

[/list:u:94ea39ddc5]

That is the way I interpret the statement in the context in which it was said.

 

[Casiopea]

Re: My interpretation

My interpretation:

• I am no hero means:
  
  [list:1a3c63f361]"Too much attention is being focused on me. I am not the hero in this situation."

[/list:u:1a3c63f361]

That is the way I interpret the statement in the context in which it was said.

I agree, adding "no heroes in this situation" means, heroes do not exist (in that given situation). To say, however, "I am not the hero in this situation" is different. It implies that there is a hero. It's just not me.

You're my hero RonBee.

 

[RonBee]

Re: My interpretation

My interpretation:

• I am no hero means:
  
  [list:6f4874d82a]"Too much attention is being focused on me. I am not the hero in this situation."

[/list:u:6f4874d82a]

That is the way I interpret the statement in the context in which it was said.

I agree, adding "no heroes in this situation" means, heroes do not exist (in that given situation). To say, however, "I am not the hero in this situation" is different. It implies that there is a hero. It's just not me.

That's what I meant. That's exactly what I meant. And that is what I believe Jessica meant.

You're my hero RonBee.

Aw, shucks.