Translation guide
In Japanese, negation is primarily expressed by conjugating verbs, adjectives, and the copula into their negative forms. The most common negative ending is 〜ない, but there are also formal, casual, and written variants. This guide covers how to form negatives across different word types, common negative expressions, and important nuances like partial negation and double negation.
I don't eat meat. (casual)
Express that an action does not happen or a state is not true.
The plain negative form of verbs is created by changing the verb to its ない-form. For godan verbs, change the final -u to -anai (e.g., 書く → 書かない). For ichidan verbs, drop -ru and add -nai (e.g., 食べる → 食べない). Irregular verbs: する → しない, 来る → 来ない (こない). This is the most common way to negate verbs in casual speech.
I don't eat meat.
He won't come.
The polite negative form uses 〜ません. Replace ます with ません. This is used in formal situations and with strangers.
I don't eat meat. (polite)
The 〜ず form is a literary or formal negative, often used in writing. It is formed by replacing ない with ず (e.g., 食べない → 食べず). For する, it becomes せず. It can function adverbially (〜ずに) meaning 'without doing'.
The 〜ぬ form is an archaic or dialectal negative, equivalent to 〜ない. It is rarely used in modern standard Japanese except in set phrases or for stylistic effect.
Ignorance is bliss. (proverb)
Express that something is not [adjective].
For i-adjectives, replace the final い with くない. This is the plain negative form.
Express that something is not [noun].
To negate a noun, use ではない (plain) or じゃない (casual). The polite form is ではありません or じゃありません.
Tell someone not to do something.
Polite negative request: 'Please don't do X.' Formed by adding ないでください to the verb stem.
Express that one does not want to do something.
To say 'I don't want to do X', change the verb to its たい form and then negate it: replace たい with たくない.
Express inability to do something.
The negative potential form is created by conjugating the potential form into negative. For godan verbs, potential ends in 〜える, so negative is 〜えない. For ichidan verbs, potential is 〜られる, negative is 〜られない. In casual speech, ら is often dropped (ら抜き言葉).
Express that not all or not everything is the case.
To express partial negation ('not all'), use 全部は or みんなは with a negative predicate. Without は, it often becomes total negation.
Express a strong affirmative by using two negatives.
English often uses 'not' with auxiliary verbs (do not, is not). Japanese negation is built into the verb/adjective conjugation, not a separate word. Do not try to insert a word for 'not' before the verb.
I will not go.
〜ない is the plain/casual negative, used in informal speech, while 〜ません is the polite negative. Use 〜ません with superiors, strangers, and in formal settings. In casual conversation, 〜ない is standard.
彼は来ません。
He won't come. (polite)
He left without saying anything.
This dish is not tasty.
It's not cold today.
The polite negative form of i-adjectives uses くありません. Alternatively, くないです is also common in polite speech.
This dish is not tasty. (polite)
It's not cold today. (polite)
For na-adjectives, add ではない (plain) or じゃない (casual) after the adjective stem. The polite form is ではありません or じゃありません.
This room is not quiet.
He is not famous. (polite)
This is not my book.
He is not a student. (polite)
Please don't take photos here.
Casual negative request: 'Don't do X.' Used among friends or in informal situations.
Strong, blunt negative command. Add な to the dictionary form of the verb. Often used by men or in urgent situations.
Don't touch!
I don't want to go out today.
I can't read kanji.
I can't wake up early in the morning.
I didn't eat all of it. (I ate some, but not all)
Not everyone came.
It's not that I don't want to go, but I'm tired.
These double negative constructions mean 'must' or 'have to'. Literally 'if not do, it won't become' or 'if not do, it's no good'.
I have to do my homework.
Negative questions often invite agreement or confirmation, similar to English tag questions. 〜ませんか is a polite invitation: 'Won't you...?'