ない
-nai[na̠i]
The Japanese word for "not" is ない (-nai).
ない is an auxiliary used to express the opposite of a statement or to show that something is not the case. When used as a standalone verb, it means "there is not" or "does not exist".
How does it change in a sentence?
ない serves as an informal/plain negative auxiliary to negate verbs and adjectives. To negate a noun or a na-adjective, the construction ではない is required rather than attaching ない directly to the word.
How do you pronounce it?
-nai
Did you know?
- The negative auxiliary ない was originally a regional trait of eastern dialects before becoming standard Japanese.
- Although it functions as a negative marker, ない conjugates exactly like an 'i-adjective' in modern Japanese.
Examples in context
- 着てみない？Why not try it on?This example shows how to use ない in a suggestion.Tatoeba #126606 by bunbuku, translation #277442 by CK
- 知らないわ。I do not know.This example shows the use of ない to express that one does not know something.Tatoeba #127089 by bunbuku, translation #3378136 by _undertoad
- 悪くないね。Not bad.This example shows how to use ない to say something is not bad.Tatoeba #191445 by bunbuku, translation #28607 by AlanF_US
- 3297 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Misaki are talking about a new restaurant.
- 健太 Kentaあのお店、予約した？Ano omise, yoyaku shita?Did you make a reservation for that restaurant?
- 美咲 Misakiううん、まだしてない。Uun, mada shite nai.No, I haven't done it yet.
- 健太 Kenta予約がないと、入れないよ。Yoyaku ga nai to, hairenai yo.If there is no reservation, we can't get in.
- 美咲 Misakiじゃあ、今すぐするね。Jaa, ima sugu suru ne.Then, I'll do it right now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ない, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ない, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
