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Negation: saying ‘not’ the natural way

Learn the main negative pattern and two phrases you’ll use constantly.

How negation works

Start with one common negative sentence and reuse it.

  • Use не before the verb: Я не понимаю.
  • Нет is used for ‘there isn’t / no’ (and often triggers genitive).
Я не знаю.
ya ne znayu
I don't know.
У меня нет времени.
u menya net vremeni
I don't have time.
Я не понимаю.
ya ne ponimayu
I don't understand.

Practice tip

Say positive and negative back‑to‑back to train your ear.

  • I understand → I don’t understand
  • I know → I don’t know

Mini‑quiz

Mini-quiz
1/6 • Score: 0
Which sentence matches “I don't know.”?