ní + Present Verb

Negating Ordinary Present Verbs

Level 2

Ní normally lenites an eligible initial consonant: Ní thuigim. Irregular bí uses níl in its present negative.

How It Works

Ní normally lenites an eligible initial consonant: Ní thuigim. Irregular bí uses níl in its present negative.

Put ní before a present-tense verb to make a negative statement. It normally lenites an eligible initial consonant, as tuigeann becomes thuigeann. Some irregular verbs have special forms, so this is a productive rule with exceptions, not a letter-changing rule for every verb.

Examples (3)

  1. Ní thuigim an cheist.

    I do not understand the question.

  2. Ní léann sé an nuachtán.

    He does not read the newspaper.

  3. Ní cheannaím caife.

    I do not buy coffee.

How It Connects

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ní + Present VerbLevel 2Negating Ordinary Present Verbs

Learn This First

Apply known lenition to the ordinary negative particle's verb.

Words in This Pattern

ní