Simple Negation (Nu)
nu immediately before the verb; no extra words or changes are needed.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
In Romanian, simply place the word 'nu' directly before the verb to make it negative.
- Place 'nu' before the verb: 'Eu nu mănânc' (I do not eat).
- The word order remains the same as affirmative sentences: 'Nu' + Verb.
- For compound tenses, 'nu' still precedes the entire verb phrase.
Overview
nu. In the world of Romanian, this tiny word is a powerhouse. It is your ultimate tool for setting boundaries and being clear.sarmale or telling a pushy salesperson you are just looking, nu has your back. It is the very first step in moving beyond simple yes answers. Learning to negate sentences allows you to express your preferences and your reality.off switch for any action. In English, we have complicated ways to say no.do not, does not, or did not. Romanian laughs at that complexity. Here, you only need one word to do all that heavy lifting. It is efficient, it is punchy, and it is incredibly easy to master.yes to no.How This Grammar Works
do or does. You do not have to worry about where the not goes in a long string of words.nu acts like a dedicated bodyguard for your verb. It always knows its place. It stands directly in front of the action word.nu right before the verb. It is like a light switch.nu, and the sentence is negative. This works for almost every tense you will learn at the A1 level.nu and you are good to go. It is the grammar equivalent of a one-size-fits-all t-shirt. It just works.
Formation Pattern
mănânc (I eat).
nu (no/not).
nu directly in front of that verb. Result: nu mănânc (I do not eat).
noi mergem (we go), the negative is noi nu mergem (we do not go). If you are using a pronoun like eu (I) or tu (you), the nu still goes right before the verb. The pronoun usually stays at the very beginning. So, the order is: [Subject] + nu + [Verb]. Sometimes, people even skip the subject because the verb ending tells you who is talking. In that case, it is just: nu + [Verb]. It is a lean, mean, negation machine. Think of it like a train. The verb is the engine, and nu is the front bumper. The bumper always goes first to clear the way!
When To Use It
nu whenever you need to deny a fact or an action. It is your go-to for general disagreement. In real-world scenarios, this happens constantly.ciorbă de burtă). If that is not your thing, you say nu doresc (I do not want).nu știu (I don't know).No answers. If a friend asks Are you hungry?, you can just say nu. It is also perfectly fine to use it in job interviews to be honest about your skills.nu vorbesc germană. It is better to be clear than to accidentally agree to something you can't do! You can also use it with adjectives.nu este cald. It is the ultimate multi-tool for your Romanian vocabulary.
When Not To Use It
nu isn't the right choice, but they are important. Do not use nu after the verb. Saying eu mănânc nu will make people look at you like you have two heads.I eat not (in old English) or other languages. Also, do not use nu when you are trying to contradict a negative statement with a Yes. In Romanian, if someone says "You don't like coffee?" and you actually DO like it, you don't say da. You use a special word called ba or ba da.Actually, I do! Using nu there would just confirm you don't like it. Finally, don't worry about using nu too much. Romanians are very direct.nu is considered better than being vague. Just don't use it to turn down a gift from a Romanian grandmother—that is a social rule, not a grammar one! She will probably give it to you anyway.
Common Mistakes
English phantom. English uses do and does to make negatives. Many learners try to translate I do not knowliterally. They look for a word for
do. Stop right there! Romanian doesn't have it. Just use nu. Another classic mistake is the placement. Some learners put nu at the very end of the sentence for emphasis. In Romanian, that just sounds incomplete. Keep it glued to the verb. Another thing to watch out for is the contraction. Sometimes nu turns into n- when it hits a word starting with a vowel, like n-am (I don't have). While nu am is technically correct and people will understand you, n-am is what the locals say. It’s like the difference between I do not and "I don't." Don't stress it too much at first, though. Even if you use the full nu every time, you will still be 100% understood. Just think of it as a grammar traffic light. If you put it in the wrong spot, the flow of the conversation stops!Contrast With Similar Patterns
no and not. We say No, I am not ready.In Romanian,
nu handles both. Nu, nu sunt gata. It’s a two-for-one deal! This is much easier than languages like French, which use two words for negation (`ne...Double Negative. In English, your teacher probably told you that two negatives make a positive. In Romanian, that rule doesn't exist.nu am nimic which literally means "I don't have nothing." In English, that's bad grammar. In Romanian, it's the only way to say I have nothing. It’s like adding extra salt to a dish; it just makes the negation stronger and more natural.Quick FAQ
Can I just say nu by itself?
Yes, absolutely! It works just like the English No.
Does nu change if I am talking to a group of people?
Nope! It stays nu whether you are talking to one person or a hundred.
Where do I put it if there is a pronoun like I or You?
Put it after the pronoun but before the verb. Eu nu merg (I am not going).
Is it rude to say nu?
Not at all. It is just a part of speech. Just use a polite tone, and you are fine!
Meanings
The particle 'nu' is the standard way to negate verbs in Romanian, functioning similarly to 'not' in English.
Verbal Negation
Negating the action of a verb.
“Nu știu.”
“Nu vreau.”
Negation Pattern
| Subject | Negation Particle | Verb |
|---|---|---|
| Eu | nu | citesc |
| Tu | nu | citești |
| El/Ea | nu | citește |
| Noi | nu | citim |
| Voi | nu | citiți |
| Ei/Ele | nu | citesc |
Common Contractions
| Full | Contraction | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Nu este | Nu-i | Is not |
| Nu am | N-am | I have not |
| Nu sunt | Nu-s | I am not |
Reference Table
| Subject | Negative Particle | Verb (Present) | English Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eu (I) | nu | știu | I do not know |
| Tu (You) | nu | mănânci | You do not eat |
| El/Ea (He/She) | nu | este | He/She is not |
| Noi (We) | nu | vorbim | We do not speak |
| Voi (You pl.) | nu | aveți | You do not have |
| Ei/Ele (They) | nu | merg | They do not go |
Spectre de formalité
Nu doresc. (Expressing desire)
Nu vreau. (Expressing desire)
Nu vreau. (Expressing desire)
N-am chef. (Expressing desire)
The World of 'Nu'
Meanings
- No As an answer
- Not With verbs
Positions
- Before Verb nu + verb
- Standalone Just 'nu!'
English vs. Romanian Negation
How to Negate a Sentence
Is there a verb?
Does it start with a vowel?
Want to sound like a local?
Common Negative Phrases
Daily Life
- • Nu știu
- • Nu înțeleg
Social
- • Nu, mulțumesc
- • Nu contează
Examples by Level
Eu nu mănânc.
I do not eat.
Nu știu.
I don't know.
Nu vreau.
I don't want.
Nu înțeleg.
I don't understand.
Nu mergem la cinema.
We are not going to the cinema.
Ea nu vorbește engleză.
She doesn't speak English.
Nu este aici.
He/she is not here.
Nu avem timp.
We don't have time.
Nu am văzut filmul acesta.
I haven't seen this movie.
Nu cred că va ploua.
I don't think it will rain.
Nu mi-a spus nimic.
He didn't tell me anything.
Nu aș face asta.
I wouldn't do that.
Nu se poate face nimic.
Nothing can be done.
Nu mi-ar fi plăcut să plec.
I wouldn't have liked to leave.
Nu te-am mai văzut de mult.
I haven't seen you in a long time.
Nu aș fi crezut niciodată.
I would never have believed it.
Nu numai că a venit, dar a și adus cadouri.
Not only did he come, but he also brought gifts.
Nu-mi vine să cred ce aud.
I can't believe what I'm hearing.
Nu se cuvine să vorbești așa.
It is not appropriate to speak like that.
Nu-i așa că e frumos?
Isn't it beautiful?
Nu-i pasă nimănui de opinia lui.
Nobody cares about his opinion.
Nu-s multe de spus.
There isn't much to say.
Nu cumva ai uitat cheile?
Did you perhaps forget the keys?
Nu-i vorba de bani, ci de principii.
It's not about money, but about principles.
Easily Confused
Learners confuse 'not' with 'neither/nor'.
Learners don't know when to use the contraction.
Learners use 'nimic' as a verb negator.
Erreurs courantes
Eu fac nu mănânc
Eu nu mănânc
Mănânc nu
Nu mănânc
Eu nu mănânc nu
Eu nu mănânc
Nu-i mănânc
Nu mănânc
Nu am mâncat nu
Nu am mâncat
Nu-i nu mănânc
Nu mănânc
Eu nu-i mănânc
Eu nu mănânc
Nu-l nu văd
Nu-l văd
Nu-s nu știu
Nu știu
Nu am nu făcut
Nu am făcut
Nu-i nu-i
Nu-i
Nu-i nimeni nu vine
Nu vine nimeni
Nu-i nu-i
Nu-i
Nu-i nimeni nu vine
Nu vine nimeni
Sentence Patterns
Eu ___ ___.
___ ___ timp.
___ ___ că este bine.
___ ___ să plec.
Real World Usage
Nu pot veni.
Nu vreau ceapă.
Nu am experiență.
Nu înțeleg.
Nu-mi place.
Nu am primit mesajul.
The Bodyguard Rule
nu as a bodyguard. It must stand directly in front of the verb to protect it from being positive!Forget the 'Do'
Double Trouble
nu am nimic (I don't have nothing) is not just okay; it's the correct way to speak!Polite No
mulțumesc (thank you). Nu, mulțumesc goes a long way in Romania.Smart Tips
Use 'Nu știu' instead of trying to translate 'I do not know'.
Use 'Nu vreau' for 'I don't want'.
Use 'N-am' for 'I don't have'.
Start with 'Nu' followed by the verb.
Prononciation
Nu
Pronounced like 'noo' in English.
Falling
Nu. ↓
Finality or refusal.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Nu is the 'No' that you need to know.
Visual Association
Imagine a big 'NO' sign (like a traffic sign) being placed in front of a person running (the verb).
Rhyme
When you want to say no, put 'nu' before the verb, and watch it go!
Story
Ion wanted to eat, but he was not hungry. He looked at the food and said 'Nu'. Then he looked at the water and said 'Nu'. He realized that 'Nu' is the magic key to saying no to everything.
Word Web
Défi
For the next 5 minutes, try to turn every sentence you think of into a negative one using 'nu'.
Notes culturelles
Negation is direct and clear.
Similar usage, very common in daily speech.
Often uses specific regional particles, but 'nu' remains standard.
Comes from Latin 'non'.
Conversation Starters
Vrei cafea?
Știi unde este gara?
Ai văzut filmul?
Crezi că va ploua?
Journal Prompts
Test Yourself
Eu ___ vorbesc românește.
___, sunt plin de energie!
Identify the correct order:
Score: /3
Exercices pratiques
8 exercisesEu ___ mănânc.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
Eu fac nu știu.
Eu vreau.
Does 'nu' change for different subjects?
A: Vrei apă? B: ___.
mănânc / nu / eu
Which is a negation?
Score: /8
FAQ (8)
No, 'nu' is invariant. It is 'ei nu mănânc'.
Yes, 'nu am mâncat'.
Yes, always.
Nu am.
No, but add 'mulțumesc' to be polite.
Only for emphasis or double negation.
Nu vreau să mănânc.
Yes, it functions as the negation particle.
In Other Languages
No
Placement is identical.
Ne... pas
Romanian is much simpler.
Nicht
Romanian is pre-verbal.
nai
Romanian uses a separate word.
la
Romanian 'nu' is invariant.
bù
Very similar structure.
