Ways to say it
| Georgian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| არა | ara | [äɾä] (narrow) | alternative form |
| არ | ar | [äɾ] (narrow) |
In Georgian, negation is expressed using different forms depending on whether you are answering a question or negating a verb. არა serves as a standalone particle to mean "no" or can function as a noun meaning "a negating expression." The word არავითარი is used as a determiner to mean "no" or "not any" when modifying a noun, such as in the sense of "no kind of."
Which one should you use?
The forms differ based on their function in a sentence. Use the standalone particle არა when answering a question with a simple "no." In contrast, use the short form არ as a grammatical particle to negate specific verbs within a sentence. While both can contribute to the meaning of "not any," არავითარი is the specific determiner used for modifying nouns.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The short form არ is a grammatical particle used specifically to negate verbs. The form არა acts as a standalone particle for direct negation.
How do you pronounce it?
ara
Did you know?
- In Georgian culture, a person may signal არა by slightly clicking their tongue and tilting their head upward or backward, rather than shaking the head side to side.
- In some Georgian dialects, the way არა is pronounced can shift to indicate a question like 'Really?' or 'Is that so?' instead of a negation.
- While არა is the direct translation for 'no', Georgian speakers often use a phrase meaning 'it is not so' to be more polite in social settings.
Examples in context
- ცაზე ღრუბელი არ იყო.There was no cloud up in the sky.This sentence demonstrates the use of არ to negate the existence of a cloud.Tatoeba #13944841 by teto, translation #5985485 by Adelpa
- ცაზე ღრუბელიც არ არის.There's no cloud up in the sky.This sentence shows how არ is used to negate the verb in the present tense regarding a cloud.Tatoeba #13944838 by teto, translation #5985540 by Adelpa
- არავინ იცის რა მოხდება.No one knows what'll happen.This sentence shows the use of არ in a phrase meaning "no one."Tatoeba #8450441 by Natalie_71, translation #8363067 by CK
- 23 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Levan asks Ketevan if she is busy.
- ლევან Levanღრმავად დაკავებული ხარ?ghrmavad dakavebuli khar?Are you very busy?
- ქეთევან Ketevanარა, თავისუფალი ვარ.ara, tavisuphali var.No, I am free.
- ლევან Levanშეგიძლია დამეხმარო?shegidzlia damekhmaro?Can you help me?
- ქეთევან Ketevanკი, რა თქმა უნდა.ki, ra tkma unda.Yes, of course.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “no” translations and entries არა, არ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
