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.
私は肉を食べない。
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.
The polite negative form uses 〜ません. Replace ます with ません. This is used in formal situations and with strangers.
私は肉を食べません。
I don't eat meat. (polite)
彼は来ません。
He won't come. (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'.
彼は何も言わずに去った。
He left without saying anything.
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.
知らぬが仏。
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.
この料理は美味しくない。
This dish is not tasty.
今日は寒くない。
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.
この料理は美味しくありません。
This dish is not tasty. (polite)
今日は寒くないです。
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.
この部屋は静かじゃない。
This room is not quiet.
彼は有名ではありません。
He is not famous. (polite)
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.
これは私の本じゃない。
This is not my book.
彼は学生ではありません。
He is not a student. (polite)
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.
ここで写真を撮らないでください。
Please don't take photos here.
Casual negative request: 'Don't do X.' Used among friends or in informal situations.
行かないで！
Don't go!
Strong, blunt negative command. Add な to the dictionary form of the verb. Often used by men or in urgent situations.
触るな！
Don't touch!
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.
今日は外に出たくない。
I don't want to go out today.
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).
漢字が読めない。
I can't read kanji.
朝早く起きられない。
I can't wake up early in the morning.
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.
全部は食べなかった。
I didn't eat all of it. (I ate some, but not all)
みんなが来たわけではない。
Not everyone came.
Express a strong affirmative by using two negatives.
Double negation softens a statement or expresses possibility. 'It's not that I don't...' implies 'I do to some extent'.
行きたくないことはないけど、疲れている。
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'.
宿題をしなければならない。
I have to do my homework.
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.
私は行かない。
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.
Negative questions often invite agreement or confirmation, similar to English tag questions. 〜ませんか is a polite invitation: 'Won't you...?'