nu
/nu/
The English word 'no' is translated to Romanian as nu.
nu is a particle used to show disagreement or negation. It can also function as a noun to refer to a negating expression.
Meaning: used to show disagreement or negation (particle)
Which one should you use?
When 'no' is used as an adjective to mean 'not a single' or 'no' (e.g., 'no book'), use niciun (masculine) or nicio (feminine) instead of nu.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle nu is placed immediately before the verb it negates.
How do you pronounce it?
/nu/
Did you know?
- In many parts of Romania, a slight shake of the head can mean 'yes', while a single upward nod can actually mean 'no'.
- The Romanian language includes a specific word ba that is used instead of nu when a speaker wants to emphatically correct a mistake made by someone else.
- Romanian uses a double negative for emphasis, such as nu vreau nimic, which literally means 'I don't want nothing'. Unlike in English, this is grammatically correct and does not cancel out the negation.
Examples in context
- Nu te mai plac.I no longer like you.This sentence is useful for showing the use of nu to negate a feeling.Tatoeba #2536271 by ijikure, translation #1081166 by keira_n
- Ei nu au copii.They have no children of their own.This sentence demonstrates how nu negates a verb to show the absence of something.Tatoeba #7468956 by CataG, translation #7407824 by CH
- Nimeni nu va ști.No one will know.This sentence shows nu used in a negative statement regarding a subject.Tatoeba #2536257 by ijikure, translation #1421 by CK
- Nu, mulțumesc.No, thank you.
- Îmi pare rău, dar nu pot să accept.I'm sorry, but I can't accept.
- Din păcate, nu pot să fac asta.Unfortunately, I can't do that.
- Regret, dar nu se poate.I'm sorry, but it's not possible.
- N-are cum.That's not possible.
- Nu pot să fac asta, sorry.I can't do that, sorry.
- Nu-mi vine să cred!I can't believe it!
- Nici vorbă!Not a word! or no way!
- Vrei să mergem în parc astăzi?Do you want to go to the park today?
- 426 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Andreea and Alexandru are deciding what to eat for dinner.
- AndreeaVrei pizza în seara aceasta?Do you want pizza tonight?
- AlexandruNu, nu am chef de pizza.No, I don't feel like eating pizza.
- AndreeaAtunci ce vrei să mânci?Then what do you want to eat?
- AlexandruNu știu încă.I don't know yet.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “no” translations and entries nu, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
