Negation With nu

Level 1

Use nu before a verb to say 'not'. In Romanian, you must keep nu even if you use other negative words like 'nothing' or 'never' (double negation).

How It Works

In Romanian, negation is straightforward but has a few strict rules:

  • Placement: For the finite sentences shown here, nu precedes the verb complex. If there are small pronoun words (clitics) or helping verbs (auxiliaries), nu goes before all of them.
  • Contractions: In natural speech, nu often shortens. Before a vowel (like in am - I have), it becomes n- (e.g., n-am). It also fuses with pronouns using a hyphen (e.g., nu îl becomes nu-l).
  • Negative Concord: Unlike English, Romanian requires 'double negatives'. If you use a word like nimic (nothing), you must still use nu with the verb.
  • Standalone 'No': Nu is also the standard word for 'no' when answering a question.

Examples (5)

  1. Nu vorbesc românește.

    I don't speak Romanian.

    Word by Word: Not I-speak Romanian.

    A simple negation where 'nu' is placed directly before the verb.

  2. N-am bani.

    I don't have money.

    Word by Word: Not-have money.

    Here 'nu' contracts to 'n-' because the verb 'am' starts with a vowel.

  3. Nu văd nimic.

    I don't see anything.

    Word by Word: Not I-see nothing.

    This demonstrates 'negative concord'. Even though 'nimic' (nothing) is used, 'nu' is still required.

  4. Nu-l cunosc pe el.

    I don't know him.

    Word by Word: Not-him I-know [marker] him.

    The 'nu' fuses with the pronoun 'îl' to become 'nu-l'.

  5. Nimeni nu a venit.

    Nobody came.

    Word by Word: Nobody not has come.

    Even when the subject is a negative word like 'nimeni', the verb must be negated with 'nu'.

Common Mistakes

  • Dropping 'nu' when using other negative words (English-style logic).

    Văd nimic.
    Nu văd nimic.

    In Romanian, you cannot say 'I see nothing' without the 'nu'. You must say 'I don't see nothing'.

  • Trying to use a 'do' auxiliary like in English.

    Eu fac nu vorbesc.
    Eu nu vorbesc.

    Romanian does not use a helping verb like 'do' for negation. Simply put 'nu' before the main verb.

How It Connects

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Negation With nuLevel 1

Learn This First

To negate a statement in Romanian, you simply place the word 'nu' before the conjugated verb. Therefore, you must first understand basic sentence structure and how to conjugate verbs in the present tense.

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Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern

nu