Translation guide
The English word 'not' is used to negate verbs, adjectives, nouns, and entire clauses. In Japanese, negation is built into the verb or adjective itself, rather than using a separate word like 'not'. This guide covers the main ways to express negation in Japanese, organized by grammatical function.
Express that an action does not happen or a state is not true.
The negative form of verbs is created by changing the verb ending to its ない-form. For る-verbs, replace る with ない; for う-verbs, change the final kana to the あ-row and add ない. This is the standard way to say 'not [verb]'.
For い-adjectives, replace the final い with くない to make the negative form. This means 'not [adjective]'.
この部屋は広くない。
This room is not spacious.
今日は寒くない。
It is not cold today.
For nouns and な-adjectives, use ではない (or the more formal ではありません) to mean 'is not'. In casual speech, じゃない is common.
彼は学生ではない。
He is not a student.
この町は静かではない。
This town is not quiet.
The polite negative form of verbs uses ません instead of ない. This is used in formal or polite contexts.
私は肉を食べません。
I do not eat meat. (polite)
彼は来ません。
He will not come. (polite)
Say that something does not exist or is not present.
The plain negative form of ある (to exist, for inanimate objects). Used to say 'there is no X' or 'X does not exist'.
Tell someone not to do something.
Polite way to ask someone not to do something. Literally 'please don't V'.
ここで写真を撮らないでください。
Please do not take photos here.
Casual way to say 'don't do V'. Used among friends or in informal situations.
Express that something did not happen or was not true.
Past negative form of verbs. Change ない to なかった.
昨日は勉強しなかった。
I did not study yesterday.
Past negative of い-adjectives. Change くない to くなかった.
Express that something is not entirely true or not always the case.
Means 'not necessarily'. Used with a negative predicate.
高いものが必ずしも良いとは限らない。
Expensive things are not necessarily good.
Use two negatives to express a strong affirmative or obligation.
Literally 'if not do, it won't become', meaning 'must do' or 'have to do'. A common double negative expressing obligation.
宿題をしなければならない。
I have to do my homework.
Casual equivalent of なければならない, meaning 'must do'. Literally 'if not do, it's no good'.
Unlike English, Japanese does not have a standalone word 'not' that can be placed before any word. Negation is expressed by conjugating the verb, adjective, or copula. Using ノット or similar is not natural.
ない is the plain (casual) form, while ありません is the polite form. Use ありません in formal settings, with strangers, or when speaking politely. ない is used in casual conversation, plain-form clauses, and within relative clauses.
お金がない。
I have no money.
時間がない。
There is no time.
The plain negative form of いる (to exist, for animate beings). Used to say 'there is no one' or 'X is not here'.
Polite negative of ある. Used in formal situations.
質問はありません。
I have no questions. (polite)
行かないで！
Don't go!
Strong, blunt negative command. Attach directly to the dictionary form of the verb. Can sound rough or masculine.
Can be very direct and impolite; use with caution.
触るな！
Don't touch!
It was not cold yesterday.
Past negative of nouns and な-adjectives. Change ではない to ではなかった.
彼は先生ではなかった。
He was not a teacher.
Means 'it is not always the case that'. Used to express that something is not universally true.
彼がいつも正しいとは限らない。
He is not always right.
もう行かないといけない。
I have to go now.