جب تک ... نہیں
Until an Event Happens
Translate the relationship, not each negative word separately.
How It Works
In جب تک جواب نہیں آتا، ہم انتظار کریں گے, waiting continues during the absence of a reply. The awaited event is the reply’s arrival, not its non-arrival.
A subjunctive version commonly uses نہ: جب تک جواب نہ آئے. Habitual or future forms with نہیں also occur; keep the chosen verb construction consistent.
Without a negative, جب تک can mean “as long as” an affirmative state lasts. Context is essential, so do not turn every occurrence into the same English “until” formula.
Examples (4)
- جب تک جواب نہیں آتا، ہم انتظار کریں گے۔
We will wait until the reply comes.
نہیں belongs to the Urdu boundary construction.
- جب تک بارش نہیں رکتی، ہم اندر رہیں گے۔
We will stay inside until the rain stops.
The main state lasts while the rain has not stopped.
- جب تک میں نہ کہوں، دروازہ مت کھولنا۔
Do not open the door until I say so.
The boundary clause uses نہ with a subjunctive.
- جب تک تم یہاں ہو، یہ کمرہ تمہارا ہے۔
As long as you are here, this room is yours.
The affirmative state gives an “as long as” reading.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Understand an endpoint or limit. Recognize the negative inside an until construction without interpreting it in isolation.
Related Patterns
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice جب تک ... نہیں in Bubblegum
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