οὐχί (ouchi)

The word ouchi is a strengthened form of the basic negative particle ou, carrying the force of "not at all" or "by no means." While it appears in straightforward negative statements to add emphasis, its most distinctive role is in questions that expect an affirmative answer. In these instances, it functions similarly to the Latin nonne, signaling that the speaker assumes the listener already agrees with the premise.

This rhetorical usage creates a sense of shared understanding or gentle correction. Jesus employs this pattern frequently, such as when asking if one can gather grapes from thornbushes in Matthew 12:34, or when questioning whether two people can walk together without agreement in Amos 3:3 (though the specific NT examples like Luke 6:39 highlight the same dynamic). The emphasis serves to underscore the obviousness of the point being made.

Translators often render this term simply as "not" or "do you not," depending on the sentence structure. The intensity lies in the expectation of a "yes" response, making it a tool for affirming common ground rather than merely denying a fact. Its presence signals that the answer is so clear it hardly needs stating.