না
na/na/
The English word "no" is expressed in Bengali using না (na). Wiktionary also lists জি না (ji na) and জ্বী না (jī na).
Meaning: used to show disagreement or negation (particle)
Ways to say it
| Bengali | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| না | na | /na/ |
| জি না | ji na | |
| জ্বী না | jī na |
The word is used as a particle to show disagreement or negation. It can also function as a noun meaning a negating expression.
Which one should you use?
The particle না is the standard informal way to say no. In contrast, জি না and জ্বী না are used specifically to show respect.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
না is used in informal situations. For polite or formal situations, such as when speaking to elders or superiors, use জি না or জ্বী না.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as a verb particle to negate an action, না typically follows the verb stem or the verb itself.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /na/.
Did you know?
- Bengali speakers often use না at the end of a sentence to turn a statement into a question, similar to how English speakers use 'right?' or 'isn't it?'
- In some regional dialects of Bengali, a 'no' is expressed not by the word না but by a subtle side-to-side tilt of the head that differs from the standard Western head shake.
- The formal 'no', জ্বী না, contains a root that originally meant 'living being' or 'soul' in Sanskrit. This connection links a polite negation to the concept of life itself.
Examples in context
- সামি বোকা ছিল না।Sami was no fool.This sentence shows the use of না to negate a noun.Tatoeba #11468297 by robingaspi, translation #6302472 by OsoHombre
- না, আমি নয়, তুমি!No I'm not, you are!This sentence shows the use of না to express disagreement.Tatoeba #2615912 by tanay, translation #1323 by Zifre
- কেউই এটা জানতো না।No one knew it.This sentence shows the use of না to negate a verb.Tatoeba #5586706 by tanay, translation #703345 by papabear
- 47 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Rahul asks Ishani if she is hungry.
- ইশানি Ishaniতুমি কি এখন খাবে?Tumi ki ekhon khabe?Will you eat now?
- রাহুল Rahulনা, আমার খিদে নেই।Na, amar khide nei.No, I am not hungry.
- ইশানি Ishaniতাহলে কি একটু জল খাবে?Tahole ki ektu jol khabe?Then will you have some water?
- রাহুল Rahulনা, লাগবে না।Na, lagbe na.No, I don't need any.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “no” translations and entries না, জ্বী না, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries জ্বী, জ্বী না, না, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
