не + Noun

The particle не is the primary particle for negating identity or actions in Ukrainian. When negating a noun's identity:

• Placement: Always place не immediately before the noun or the adjective describing it.
• Spelling: For simple negation, не is written as a separate word (e.g., не лікар). It is written together if it forms a new concept that can be replaced by a synonym without 'не' (e.g., нещастя - misfortune), if the word cannot exist without it (e.g., немовля - infant, нероба - idler), or if the noun starts with the prefix недо- (e.g., недолік, недовіра). However, if there is a direct contrast using а (but), не is always written separately (e.g., Це не щастя, а горе - This is not happiness, but grief/sorrow). Additionally, не is always written separately from a noun when the negation is emphasized by intensifiers like зовсім (completely), аж ніяк (by no means), or далеко (far from), e.g., Він далеко не лікар.
• The Copula: Ukrainian uses a zero present copula. You don't translate 'is' or 'are' in the present tense. You simply say 'Subject + не + Noun'.
• Punctuation: In affirmative sentences where both the subject and predicate are nouns, a dash (тире) is often used instead of a verb (e.g., Мій брат — лікар). However, when you add не to negate the noun, this dash is usually omitted (e.g., Мій брат не лікар). A dash can still be used before не if the speaker wants to force a strong logical or intonational pause (e.g., Вовк — не собака).
• Case (Present Tense): When identifying what something is (or isn't) in the present, use the Nominative case. For example: Він не лікар (He is not a doctor).
• Past and Future Tenses: The Nominative is primarily used for the present tense identity negation. In the past or future, where the verb 'to be' is used, the noun usually shifts to the Instrumental case (e.g., Він не був лікарем). The Instrumental case denotes a temporary state, profession, or acquired role, whereas the Nominative is kept for permanent, inherent states.
• Identity vs. Existence: This pattern is for identity ('This is not X'). If you want to say something doesn't exist or isn't there, use немає + Genitive (e.g., Тут немає хліба vs. Це не хліб).
• Contrast: This is often used with the conjunction а (but) to provide the correct identity: Це не кава, а чай (This is not coffee, but tea).