ne pas
The French phrase for "do not" is ne pas.
ne pas is used to form negative statements or commands. When placed before an infinitive verb, it is the standard way to write instructional prohibitions on signs and notices, such as Ne pas fumer (No smoking). Additionally, the word plus can act as a negative adverb meaning "no longer".
Which one should you use?
ne pas is used for general prohibitions, such as "Do not touch". In contrast, if you are giving a specific command directed at a person, you would use the conjugated form ne [verb] pas, such as Ne touche pas !
How does it change in a sentence?
To express a general prohibition or a command, such as those found on signs, ne pas is used followed by an infinitive verb.
Did you know?
- In spoken, informal French, the ne part of the negative is often dropped entirely, leaving only the pas or the verb. While 'ne pas' is the standard, you will mostly hear just 'pas' in daily life.
- The word pas originally meant 'a step' in Latin. While it is now a standard part of the negative, it began as a way to say 'not a step', emphasizing that one shouldn't move at all.
- In the past, French speakers used other nouns to reinforce negatives, such as ne… goutte for 'not a drop' or ne… mie for 'not a crumb'.
Examples in context
- Ne pas plier !Do not fold!This example shows how to use ne pas for a prohibition like "Do not fold!"Tatoeba #1081281 by sacredceltic, translation #280843 by xtofu80
- Ne pas niquer !Do not fuck!This example uses ne pas in a vulgar command.Tatoeba #1081378 by sacredceltic, translation #1356999 by sacredceltic
- Ne pas toucher !Do not touch!This example uses ne pas for a prohibition like "Do not touch!"Tatoeba #9552536 by Micsmithel, translation #9126842 by megamanenm
- Je ne parle pasI do not speak
- Il ne mange pointHe does not eat
- Je ne comprends rienI do not understand anything
- Nous n'avons pas mangéWe did not eat
- 42 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé and Lucas are in a library.
- ChloéLucas, ne pas parler ici, s'il te plaît.Lucas, do not talk here, please.
- LucasDésolé, j'ai oublié.Sorry, I forgot.
- ChloéIl faut ne pas faire de bruit.One must not make noise.
- LucasD'accord, je me tais.Okay, I'll be quiet.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ne, pas, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
