न
na/nɐ́/
The Sanskrit word for "no" is न (na).
न is a particle used to express disagreement or negation. It is typically placed immediately before the specific word or verb that it is intended to negate.
Meaning: used to show disagreement or negation (particle)
Which one should you use?
While न is used for simple negation of verbs or adjectives, the particle na hi is often used to provide a stronger, more emphatic "no" or "not indeed".
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle न is indeclinable, which means it does not change its form based on gender, number or case.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is na and the IPA is /nɐ́/.
Did you know?
- Ancient Indian philosophers developed a concept called neti neti, which translates to 'not this, not that', using the word न twice to describe the ultimate reality as something that cannot be defined by words.
- The Sanskrit न shares a common ancestor with the English 'no' and the Latin 'ne', making them distant linguistic cousins.
- While न is the standard negation, Sanskrit authors sometimes use 'double negatives' not to create a positive, but to intensify the strength of the original 'no'.
Examples in context
- न भिभक्षामि ।I have no appetite.This sentence is useful for expressing the absence of an appetite using न.Tatoeba #1071668 by tigro1973, translation #1071660 by CK
- न, अहं न गच्छामि ।na, ahaṃ na gacchāmi.No, I am not going.
- सः न वदति ।saḥ na vadati.He does not speak.
Example conversation
Ishaan asks Ananya if she is tired.
- इशान Ishanकिम् अनन्या क्लात्रा अस्ति?kim ananyā klātrā asti?Is Ananya tired?
- अनन्या Ananyaन, अहं न क्लात्रा ।na, ahaṃ na klātrā.No, I am not tired.
- इशान Ishanतर्हि पठिष्यसि किम्?tarhi paṭhiṣyasi kim?Then will you study?
- अनन्या Ananyaआम्, अहं पठिष्यामि ।ām, ahaṃ paṭhiṣyāmi.Yes, I will study.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry न, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries न, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
