لا
la
The English word "no" is translated into Arabic as لا.
The particle لا is a straightforward way to express disagreement or negation. It can be used to negate verbs or nouns in Modern Standard Arabic. When used as a negative determiner meaning "not any" before a noun, it is often followed by a noun in the indefinite form. You may also encounter the phrase لا يمكن to express that something is not possible, and لا أستطيع to express that you are unable or lack the capacity to do something.
Meaning: used to show disagreement or negation (particle)
Which one should you use?
In its role as a noun meaning a refusal or a negative response, the singular form is لَا and the plural form is لَاءَات. The determiner version لَا is used to mean "not any" before a noun.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Levantine Arabic, the phrases ما بدي or مش بدي are common ways to say "I don't want."
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
In Modern Standard Arabic, the particle لا is used to negate verbs or nouns, though in many spoken dialects, other particles may replace it depending on the sentence structure. When acting as a negative determiner, لَا is typically followed by an indefinite noun.
How do you pronounce it?
la
Did you know?
- In many Arabic-speaking cultures, saying a blunt لا can be considered impolite. People often soften a refusal by saying 'it is not possible' or even 'God willing' to avoid direct confrontation.
- The word لا is a cognate of the Hebrew word לֹא, both of which descended from the ancient Proto-Semitic root *lā.
- The word لا is part of a system of 'absolute negation' in Arabic that can actually change the grammatical case of the noun that follows it.
Examples in context
- من سيقول لك لا؟Who would say no to you?This sentence shows how to use the form لا in a question about refusal.Tatoeba #11986980 by dididodo, translation #10912901 by Amastan
- لا أحد علم بذلك.No one knew it.This sentence demonstrates the use of لا to indicate that no one knew something.Tatoeba #1593944 by Amastan, translation #703345 by papabear
- لا أتذكر ما حصل.I have no memory of what happened.This sentence uses لا to express a lack of memory.Tatoeba #2604962 by Samer, translation #2360152 by CK
- 249 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A man and a woman are discussing a lunch invitation.
- مريم Maryamهل تريد أن تأكل الآن؟Hal turidu an takula al-an?Do you want to eat now?
- أحمد Ahmedلا، أنا لست جائعاً.La, ana lastu ja'i'an.No, I am not hungry.
- مريم Maryamهل نطلب البيتزا إذن؟Hal natlubu al-pizza idhan?Shall we order pizza then?
- أحمد Ahmedلا، لن أطلب البيتزا اليوم.La, lan atlub al-pizza al-yawm.No, I will not order pizza today.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries لا, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
