nemaz

Not at All: Nemaz

Level 3

Put nemaz before a negated verb to say not at all: Es nemaz nezināju (I had no idea). The verb stays negative: nemaz does not replace ne-.

How It Works

1. Where it goes. Nemaz usually stands right before the verb: Es nemaz nezināju, Tas nemaz nav grūti. It can also come at the end for extra weight: Viņš latviski nerunā nemaz (He does not speak Latvian at all).

2. None at all. With nav and the genitive, nemaz says that there is none of something: Šogad sniega nebija nemaz (There was no snow at all this year). Man nemaz nav laika (I have no time at all).

3. Not so ... after all. Nemaz ... tik says that something is less than people think: Tas nemaz nav tik slikti! (That is not so bad at all!) Tas nemaz nav tik viegli (That is not as easy as it looks).

4. In questions. Vai tu nemaz nebaidies? (Are you not scared at all?)

5. Words with a similar meaning. Nepavisam also means not at all. It nemaz is even stronger. Note that English uses not at all as a reply to thanks; Latvian says Nav par ko for that.

Examples (6)

  1. Es nemaz nezināju, ka tu esi šeit.

    I had no idea you were here.

    Word by Word: I not-at-all not-knew that you are here.

    Nemaz strengthens the negated verb nezināju.

  2. Tas nemaz nav grūti.

    It is not difficult at all.

  3. Man šodien nemaz nav laika.

    I have no time at all today.

    Laika is genitive after nav.

  4. Šogad sniega nebija nemaz.

    There was no snow at all this year.

    Nemaz can also come last. Sniega is genitive after nebija.

  5. Viņš latviski nerunā nemaz.

    He does not speak Latvian at all.

  6. Tas nemaz nav tik slikti!

    That is not so bad at all!

Common Mistakes

  • Dropping ne- from the verb because nemaz already sounds negative.

    Es nemaz zināju.
    Es nemaz nezināju.

    Nemaz only strengthens a negative. The verb must still be negated: nezināju.

  • Using nemaz as a reply to thanks, as with English "Not at all".

    — Paldies! — Nemaz!
    — Paldies! — Nav par ko!

    Nemaz is not a reply to thanks. After thanks, Latvians say Nav par ko (You are welcome).

How It Connects

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

nemazLevel 3Not at All: Nemaz

Learn This First

Nemaz strengthens a negative.

Words in This Pattern

nemazne-