নাই
nai/nɑi/
The English word 'no' can be expressed in Assamese using নাই (nai). Wiktionary also lists না (na).
Meaning: used to show disagreement or negation (particle)
Ways to say it
| Assamese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| নাই | nai | /nɑi/ /nai/ (Kamrupi) |
| না | na |
In Assamese, the form নাই is used to show that something does not exist or is absent.
Which one should you use?
The different forms of 'no' serve distinct purposes: নাই expresses non-existence or the absence of something (there is not / does not exist). In contrast, না is used as a negative particle to negate a verb or an action. For negating an identity or a state of being, such as saying 'it is not', use নহয়.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word নাই functions as the negative form of the verbs 'to be' or 'to have' specifically in the sense of existence.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is nai and the IPA is /nɑi/.
Did you know?
- The word না is often used as a filler or a tag question at the end of a sentence to seek confirmation, similar to 'right?' in English.
- A head shake to signify 'no' in Assam can sometimes be a subtle side-to-side tilt rather than a sharp shake.
- The form নাই traces its roots back to the Sanskrit নহি, which originally meant 'surely not'.
Examples in context
- তালৈ গৈ লাভ নাই।There's no point going there.This sentence uses নাই to show there is no point in an action.Tatoeba #8761445 by Mohsin_Ali, translation #6057751 by sergiomelo
- আকৌ কৰি লাভ নাই।There's no point in repeating.Tatoeba #8761446 by Mohsin_Ali, translation #5789245 by Eccles17
- নহয়, সি কৰা নাই।No, he didn't.This sentence uses নাই to express a negation in the context of an action.Tatoeba #8756703 by Mohsin_Ali, translation #66789 by Zifre
- 119 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nirupam asks Priyanka if she has any water.
- নিৰুপম Nirupamতোমাৰ ওচৰত পানী আছে নেকি?tomar oxorat pani ase neki?Do you have any water?
- প্রিয়াঙ্কা Priyankaনাই, মোৰ ওচৰত পানী নাই।nai, mor oxorat pani nai.No, I don't have any water.
- নিৰুপম Nirupamঠিক আছে, মই দোকানলৈ যাওঁ।thik ase, moi dokanloi jao.Okay, I will go to the shop.
- প্রিয়াঙ্কা Priyankaমোৰ বাবেও এটা আনিবা।mor babeo eta aniba.Bring one for me too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “no” translations and entries নাই, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries নাই, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
