Negative Commands

Level 3

نـ takes the place of بـ, so a command never has both.

How It Works

The negative command is the positive command without بـ and with نـ in its place.

VerbDon't, to one close personDon't, to several people or with respect
رفتن (to go)نرونروید
آمدن (to come)نیانیایید
خوردن (to eat)نخورنخورید
ترسیدن (to be afraid)نترسنترسید
تشویش کردن (to worry)تشویش نکنتشویش نکنید
گپ زدن (to talk)گپ نزنگپ نزنید

Add ! for a strong order. To sound gentle, use the ـید form and a name: فرید جان، نترسید.

Use the ـید form for one person you respect, as well as for a group: کاکا جان، نروید، هوا سرد است (Uncle, don't go, it is cold).

For a rule on a sign or a notice, Dari uses نباید, which you meet in Must and Must Not.

Examples (5)

  1. نرو، بیرون هوا بسیار سرد است.

    Don't go, it is very cold outside.

    نرو is نـ and the present stem of رفتن.

  2. دروازه را باز نکن!

    Don't open the door!

    The نـ goes on کن, the short verb of باز کردن.

  3. از امتحان نترس.

    Don't be afraid of the exam.

    نترس is نـ and the stem ترس.

  4. بچه‌ها، دیر نیایید!

    Children, don't come late!

    نیایید is the ـید form for a group.

  5. تشویش نکنید، همه چیز خوب است.

    Don't worry, everything is fine.

    The polite ـید form fits an older person or a guest.

Common Mistakes

  • Putting بـ and نـ together.

    نبرو!
    نرو!

    نـ takes the place of بـ. A command never has both.

  • Giving a negative command to several people in the short form.

    بچه‌ها، نترس!
    بچه‌ها، نترسید!

    Add ـید for more than one person.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

Negative CommandsLevel 3

Learn This First

A negative command swaps بـ for نـ.