How to Say "No" in Croatian - How To Say Guide

/ne/Latin

The English word 'no' is translated into Croatian as ne.

ne is used to express negation. It can function as the word 'not' to negate a verb, or as a direct answer to a yes/no question to mean 'no'.

Meaning: used to show disagreement or negation (particle)

Which one should you use?

In Croatian, ne serves both purposes: it is the standard negation for verbs (not) and the direct response to questions (no).

As a particle, ne is used to negate verbs, functioning similarly to the English word 'not'.

/ne/

Croatian has a special double negative construction where ne is used with words like niko or ništa, which is grammatically required and does not cancel out to a positive.
In some regions of Croatia, a slight upward toss of the head or a quick 'tsk' sound can accompany ne to reinforce the negation.
The Croatian ne shares a common ancestor with the English word 'nor', both descending from the same Proto-Indo-European roots.

Nemam vremena za odmor.
I have no time to have a rest.
This sentence shows how ne is used in the context of having no time.
Tatoeba #3784257 by Myushiro, translation #3770446 by Debbie_Linder
Nemamo izbora, no ubiti.
I have no choice but to kill.
This sentence illustrates the use of ne regarding having no choice.
Tatoeba #5251915 by Coella, translation #5356857 by kkupus
Ne više, hvala. Sit sam.
No more, thank you. I'm full.
This sentence demonstrates how to use ne to say 'no more'.
Tatoeba #5582852 by Gonic, translation #65830 by CK
Ne, hvala.
No, thank you.
Nažalost, ne mogu.
Unfortunately, I cannot.
Izvinite, nemoguće je.
I'm sorry, it's impossible.
To nije moguće.
That's not possible.
Molim vas, razumijte.
Please understand.
Neću.
I won't.
Ma nemoj!
Oh, come on!
Nemam volje.
I don't feel like it.
Nije mi do toga.
I'm not in the mood for that.
To mi se ne sviđa.
I don't like that.
Sretno!
Good luck!
45 more sentences on Tatoeba

Ana and Marko are discussing whether to go out for coffee.

Sources

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