Basic Negation in Portuguese: Using “não”
The most common way to form a negative sentence in Portuguese is by using the word não, which means “no” or “not.” In a sentence, não generally comes directly before the verb.
Examples:
- Eu não falo espanhol. (I do not speak Spanish.)
- Ela não gosta de café. (She does not like coffee.)
- Nós não vamos à festa. (We are not going to the party.)
Negating with Compound Verbs and Pronouns
When a sentence contains compound verbs (such as the present continuous or future tense), the word não is placed before the first verb.
Examples:
- Eu não estou estudando agora. (I am not studying now.)
- Ele não vai viajar amanhã. (He is not going to travel tomorrow.)
If the sentence contains object pronouns, não usually comes before the pronoun and verb group.
Example:
- Eu não o conheço. (I do not know him.)
Negative Words and Expressions
Portuguese also uses other negative words to express more complex negation. Here are some of the most common:
- nunca – never
- ninguém – nobody, no one
- nada – nothing
- nenhum/nenhuma – no, none, not any
- jamais – never, not ever
These words can be used with or without não, depending on the sentence structure.
Examples:
- Eu nunca estive lá. (I have never been there.)
- Ninguém sabe a resposta. (No one knows the answer.)
- Não tenho nada para fazer. (I have nothing to do.)
- Ela não viu ninguém. (She saw no one.)
Double Negatives in Portuguese
Unlike in English, using double negatives in Portuguese is grammatically correct and often necessary for emphasis or clarity. For example, you can combine não with another negative word in the same sentence.
Examples:
- Eu não quero nada. (I don’t want anything.)
- Ele não falou com ninguém. (He didn’t speak with anyone.)
- Você não viu nenhum filme? (Didn’t you see any movie?)
Negating Commands and Requests
To form negative commands in Portuguese, place não before the verb in the imperative form.
Examples:
- Não fale! (Don’t speak!)
- Não corra! (Don’t run!)
- Não se preocupe. (Don’t worry.)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Do not omit não when negating verbs—unlike English, double negatives are allowed and often required.
- Be careful with word order; não should always come before the verb or the verb-pronoun group.
- Remember that negative words like nada or ninguém can require não earlier in the sentence.
Tips for Practicing Negatives in Portuguese
- Practice with flashcards and language apps like Talkpal to reinforce the correct word order and usage.
- Try writing your own negative sentences about your daily routine.
- Listen to native speakers and note how they use negatives in conversation.
- Test yourself by changing affirmative sentences into negative ones.
Conclusion
Forming negative sentences in Portuguese is straightforward once you understand where to place não and how to use other negative expressions. With regular practice and the right tools, such as the Talkpal language learning platform, you’ll quickly master this essential aspect of Portuguese grammar. Keep practicing and soon you’ll be expressing yourself clearly in both positive and negative statements!
