Alright, let's talk about 'Nu' in Romanian. It's a small word but super important. Basically, 'nu' means 'no' or 'not'. You'll use it all the time to say you disagree, to deny something, or to make a statement negative. Simple as that.
§ Basic Negation
The most common use of 'nu' is to make a verb negative. It's usually placed right before the verb. Think of it like putting 'not' before the action in English.
Eu nu vorbesc spaniolă.
I don't speak Spanish. (Literally: I not speak Spanish.)
Ea nu este acasă.
She is not at home.
§ Answering Questions with 'Nu'
When someone asks a yes/no question, 'nu' is your straightforward answer for 'no'.
— Vorbești română? (Do you speak Romanian?)
— Nu, nu vorbesc.
— No, I don't speak.
— Ai timp mâine? (Do you have time tomorrow?)
— Nu.
— No.
§ 'Nu' with Other Negative Words
Sometimes, you'll see 'nu' paired with other negative words to create a stronger negation, or to express 'nothing', 'nobody', 'never', etc. Romanian often uses what's called a 'double negative', but it works differently than in English. In Romanian, double negatives actually reinforce the negation, they don't cancel each other out.
Nu... nimic (not... nothing = nothing)
Example
Eu nu spun nimic.
I don't say anything. (Literally: I not say nothing.)
Nu... nimeni (not... nobody = nobody)
Example
Nu văd pe nimeni.
I don't see anybody. (Literally: Not see on nobody.)
Nu... niciodată (not... never = never)
Example
El nu uită niciodată.
He never forgets. (Literally: He not forgets never.)
§ 'Nu' in Commands (Negative Imperative)
To tell someone *not* to do something, you also use 'nu'. It's pretty straightforward: 'nu' followed by the verb in its infinitive form (for the second person singular) or the conjugated form (for other persons).
Example (singular 'you')
Nu vorbi!
Don't speak!
Example (plural 'you')
Nu mergeți acolo!
Don't go there!
So, there you have it. 'Nu' is a small but mighty word in Romanian. Master its use, and you'll be well on your way to expressing yourself clearly and correctly. Keep practicing, and it will become second nature!
उच्चारण मार्गदर्शिका
UK/nuː/
US/nuː/
unstressed
तुकबंदी
bluetruethrough
आम गलतियाँ
Rounding the lips too much, making it sound like 'new'. The 'u' sound in Romanian is a pure vowel, similar to the 'oo' in 'moon' but shorter.
कठिनाई स्तर
पठन1/5
short and common
लिखना1/5
simple spelling
बोलना1/5
easy pronunciation
श्रवण1/5
clear sound
आगे क्या सीखें
आगे सीखें
Da (yes)Mulțumesc (thank you)Te rog / Vă rog (please)
उन्नत
Niciodată (never)Nimeni (nobody)Nimic (nothing)
स्तर के अनुसार उदाहरण
1
Nu știu.
I don't know.
2
Nu, mulțumesc.
No, thank you.
3
Nu este bine.
It is not good.
4
Eu nu vorbesc română.
I don't speak Romanian.
5
Nu am timp.
I don't have time.
6
Tu nu ești acasă?
Are you not at home?
7
Nu înțeleg.
I don't understand.
8
Nu sunt student.
I am not a student.
1
Nu știu.
I don't know.
A common negation in Romanian.
2
Nu pot veni.
I can't come.
The negative 'nu' precedes the verb.
3
Nu este aici.
He/she/it is not here.
'Nu' negates the verb 'a fi' (to be).
4
Nu-mi place asta.
I don't like this.
'Nu' comes before the indirect object pronoun and the verb.
5
Nu vreau apă.
I don't want water.
Direct negation of the verb 'a vrea' (to want).
6
Nu am timp.
I don't have time.
Used with 'a avea' (to have) for possession negation.
7
Nu este scump.
It is not expensive.
Negating an adjective with 'a fi'.
8
Nu vorbesc românește.
I don't speak Romanian.
Negating the verb 'a vorbi' (to speak).
1
Nu știu răspunsul la această întrebare.
I don't know the answer to this question.
Placement before the verb.
2
Nu vreau să merg la petrecere.
I don't want to go to the party.
Used to negate an action.
3
Nu este corect ce spui tu.
What you're saying is not correct.
Negating an adjective.
4
Nu am văzut-o pe Maria azi.
I haven't seen Maria today.
Used with compound past tense (perfect compus).
5
Nu uita să cumperi pâine!
Don't forget to buy bread!
Used for negative commands (imperative).
6
Nu cred că va ploua mâine.
I don't think it will rain tomorrow.
Expressing disbelief or doubt.
7
Nu am timp să te ajut acum.
I don't have time to help you now.
Negating possession/availability.
8
Nu vorbesc franceza.
I don't speak French.
Negating ability/skill.
व्याकरण पैटर्न
Placement of 'nu' before the verb.
Use of 'nu' for simple negation.
Distinction between 'nu' as a standalone answer and 'nu' as a negator for verbs.
The general rule of one 'nu' per verb for negation (with exceptions for emphasis).
Reflexive verbs with 'nu'.
Negation in questions.
वाक्य संरचनाएँ
A1
Nu + verb
Nu înțeleg. (I don't understand.)
A1
Nu + este + adjective
Nu este bine. (It is not good.)
A1
Nu + am + noun
Nu am timp. (I don't have time.)
A1
Nu + vreau + verb (infinitive)
Nu vreau să merg. (I don't want to go.)
A1
Nu + (verb) + nu + (verb) (Double negative for emphasis, informal)
Nu știu, nu știu. (I really don't know.)
A1
Nu + prepositional phrase
Nu este de acord. (He/She doesn't agree.)
A1
Nu + se + verb (reflexive)
Nu se poate. (It's not possible.)
A1
Answer to a question: Nu.
- Vrei cafea? (Do you want coffee?) - Nu. (No.)
खुद को परखो
48 सवाल
writing
A1
You are asked if you speak French. Respond in Romanian saying 'No, I don't speak French.'
Well written!Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Nu, nu vorbesc franceză.
सही!बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing
A1
Someone asks if you are tired. Respond in Romanian saying 'No, I am not tired.'
Well written!Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Nu, nu sunt obosit/ă.
सही!बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing
A1
You are asked if you want coffee. Respond in Romanian saying 'No, thank you.'
Well written!Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Nu, mulțumesc.
सही!बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
reading
A1
What is Ion saying in response to Maria's question?
Read this passage:
Maria întreabă: 'Ai timp azi?' (Do you have time today?) Ion răspunde: 'Nu, nu am timp azi.' (No, I don't have time today.)
What is Ion saying in response to Maria's question?
सही!बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: He does not have time today.
Ion uses 'Nu' twice to clearly state that he does not have time today.
सही!बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: He does not have time today.
Ion uses 'Nu' twice to clearly state that he does not have time today.
reading
A1
What is Bogdan's preference regarding coffee?
Read this passage:
Ana: 'Îți place cafeaua?' (Do you like coffee?) Bogdan: 'Nu, nu-mi place cafeaua.' (No, I don't like coffee.)
What is Bogdan's preference regarding coffee?
सही!बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: He does not like it.
Bogdan's use of 'Nu, nu-mi place' indicates he does not like coffee.
सही!बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: He does not like it.
Bogdan's use of 'Nu, nu-mi place' indicates he does not like coffee.
reading
A1
Is the student ready for the exercise?
Read this passage:
Trainer: 'Ești gata pentru exercițiu?' (Are you ready for the exercise?) Student: 'Nu, nu sunt gata.' (No, I am not ready.)
Is the student ready for the exercise?
सही!बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: No, not ready.
The student explicitly uses 'Nu, nu sunt gata' to state that they are not ready.
सही!बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: No, not ready.
The student explicitly uses 'Nu, nu sunt gata' to state that they are not ready.
listening
A2
Listen for 'nu' and identify what isn't a dog.
सही!बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: Nu este un câine, este o pisică.
सही!बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
listening
A2
Pay attention to who doesn't speak English.
सही!बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: El nu vorbește engleză.
सही!बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
listening
A2
What does the speaker not like in their coffee?
सही!बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: Nu îmi place cafeaua cu zahăr.
सही!बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
speaking
A2
Read this aloud:
Nu este frig afară.
Focus: Nu
तुमने कहा:
AI is analyzing your pronunciation...
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सही!बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
speaking
A2
Read this aloud:
Noi nu mergem la piață astăzi.
Focus: nu mergem
तुमने कहा:
AI is analyzing your pronunciation...
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
सही!बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
speaking
A2
Read this aloud:
Nu am timp acum.
Focus: Nu am
तुमने कहा:
AI is analyzing your pronunciation...
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
सही!बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing
A2
You are invited to a friend's party, but you already have plans. Write a short message declining the invitation politely, explaining that you can't come.
Well written!Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Îmi pare rău, dar nu pot veni la petrecere. Am deja alte planuri. Sper să vă distrați!
सही!बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing
A2
Your friend asks if you want to go to the cinema, but you've already seen the movie they suggested. Write a short reply explaining that you don't want to see that specific movie.
Well written!Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Mulțumesc de invitație, dar nu vreau să văd filmul ăsta. L-am văzut deja. Poate altceva?
सही!बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing
A2
You are at a cafe, and the waiter asks if you want sugar with your coffee. You prefer it without. Write how you would politely decline the sugar.
Well written!Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Nu, mulțumesc, prefer cafeaua fără zahăr.
सही!बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
reading
A2
De ce nu merge Maria la concert?
Read this passage:
Ion: Mergi la concert sâmbătă? Maria: Nu, nu merg. Am mult de lucru acasă. Ion: Păcat! Va fi foarte frumos. Maria: Știu, dar nu pot. Poate altă dată.
De ce nu merge Maria la concert?
सही!बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: Are de lucru acasă
Maria spune clar: 'Am mult de lucru acasă.'
सही!बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: Are de lucru acasă
Maria spune clar: 'Am mult de lucru acasă.'
reading
A2
Andrei a primit o reducere la carte?
Read this passage:
Andrei vrea să cumpere o carte, dar nu are destui bani. Se duce la magazin și întreabă vânzătorul: 'Aveți cumva o reducere la această carte?' Vânzătorul răspunde: 'Nu, nu avem reduceri la cărți în acest moment.'
Andrei a primit o reducere la carte?
सही!बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: Nu, nu a primit o reducere.
Vânzătorul spune 'Nu, nu avem reduceri'.
सही!बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: Nu, nu a primit o reducere.
Vânzătorul spune 'Nu, nu avem reduceri'.
reading
A2
A terminat copilul toate temele?
Read this passage:
Mama: Ai terminat temele? Copilul: Nu, încă nu. Mai am puțin la matematică. Mama: Grăbește-te, te rog. Avem de plecat în curând. Copilul: Bine, mamă. O să termin repede.
A terminat copilul toate temele?
सही!बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: Nu, mai are de lucru la matematică.
Copilul răspunde 'Nu, încă nu. Mai am puțin la matematică.'
सही!बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: Nu, mai are de lucru la matematică.
Copilul răspunde 'Nu, încă nu. Mai am puțin la matematică.'
fill blank
B1
Vrei să mergem la film în seara asta? ___, nu am timp.
सही!बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: Nu
The speaker is declining the invitation, so 'Nu' (No) is the appropriate response.
fill blank
B1
Ești obosit după muncă? ___, sunt plin de energie!
सही!बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: Nu
The second part of the sentence indicates a contradiction to being tired, so 'Nu' (No) is correct.
fill blank
B1
Crezi că va ploua mâine? Cred că ___.
सही!बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: Nu
The statement 'Cred că nu' expresses a belief that it will not rain.
fill blank
B1
Ai citit cartea pe care ți-am recomandat-o? ___, încă nu am apucat.
सही!बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: Nu
The phrase 'încă nu am apucat' (I haven't gotten around to it yet) indicates a negative answer, so 'Nu' is correct.
fill blank
B1
Îți place cafeaua amară? ___, o prefer cu zahăr.
सही!बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: Nu
The preference for sugar implies a dislike for bitter coffee, making 'Nu' the correct choice.
fill blank
B1
Ai fost vreodată în Paris? ___, dar mi-ar plăcea să merg.
सही!बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: Nu
The desire to go indicates that the person has not been there before, so 'Nu' is appropriate.
writing
B1
Imagine you're planning a weekend trip to a new city. Write a short paragraph (3-4 sentences) describing what you hope to do and see. Make sure to use at least one negative sentence to express something you *don't* want to do.
Well written!Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
În weekend, vreau să vizitez muzeele și să mă plimb prin parcuri. Nu vreau să stau mult timp în hotel. Sper să gust mâncăruri locale delicioase și să întâlnesc oameni noi.
सही!बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing
B1
You are at a restaurant and the waiter asks if you want something specific. Write a short dialogue (2-3 exchanges) where you politely decline one offer and accept another. Use 'nu' at least once.
Well written!Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Chelner: Doriți cafea cu lapte?
Eu: Nu, mulțumesc. Aș dori doar o cafea simplă.
Chelner: Sigur. Și un desert?
Eu: Da, aș vrea prăjitura cu ciocolată.
सही!बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
writing
B1
Write 3-4 sentences about your daily routine. Include at least two things you typically *don't* do on a regular day, using 'nu' to express this.
Well written!Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Mă trezesc devreme în fiecare zi și îmi beau cafeaua. Nu merg la sală în fiecare dimineață, dar fac sport de trei ori pe săptămână. De obicei, nu mănânc micul dejun consistent, dar prânzul este important. Nu mă culc niciodată înainte de miezul nopții.
सही!बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
reading
B1
Ce nu vrea Ana să facă în vacanță?
Read this passage:
Ion și Ana vorbesc despre planurile lor de vacanță. Ion spune: "Vreau să merg la mare, dar Ana spune că nu vrea să stea toată ziua la plajă. Ea preferă să viziteze orașe istorice și să exploreze munții. Ei nu sunt de acord, așa că trebuie să găsească un compromis pentru vacanță."
Ce nu vrea Ana să facă în vacanță?
सही!बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: Să stea toată ziua la plajă
Textul menționează că Ana 'nu vrea să stea toată ziua la plajă'.
सही!बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: Să stea toată ziua la plajă
Textul menționează că Ana 'nu vrea să stea toată ziua la plajă'.
reading
B1
Ce nu mai au nevoie Maria și Petru?
Read this passage:
Maria și Petru sunt la piață. Maria îl întreabă pe Petru: "Avem nevoie de mere?" Petru răspunde: "Nu, nu mai avem nevoie. Am cumpărat ieri. Dar nu avem suficiente roșii." Maria zice: "Bine, atunci o să cumpăr roșii, dar nu foarte multe, pentru că nu ne trebuie multe pentru salată."
Ce nu mai au nevoie Maria și Petru?
सही!बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: Mere
Petru spune clar: 'Nu, nu mai avem nevoie [de mere]. Am cumpărat ieri.'
सही!बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: Mere
Petru spune clar: 'Nu, nu mai avem nevoie [de mere]. Am cumpărat ieri.'
reading
B1
Ce nu este adevărat conform dialogului?
Read this passage:
Un nou student, Alex, vorbește cu un coleg despre programul universitar. Alex întreabă: "Profesorul de română a spus că nu avem teme pentru weekend?" Colegul răspunde: "Nu, nu a spus asta. De fapt, avem un eseu de scris. Cred că nu ai fost atent la finalul cursului. Nu e greu, dar trebuie să îl predai luni."
Ce nu este adevărat conform dialogului?
सही!बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: Nu există teme pentru weekend.
Colegul infirmă: 'Nu, nu a spus asta. De fapt, avem un eseu de scris.'
सही!बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: Nu există teme pentru weekend.
Colegul infirmă: 'Nu, nu a spus asta. De fapt, avem un eseu de scris.'
sentence order
B2
सेंटेंस बनाने के लिए नीचे शब्दों पर टैप करो
सही!बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: Nu vreau să merg afară astăzi.
This sentence expresses a negative desire: 'I don't want to go out today.' 'Nu' negates 'vreau'.
sentence order
B2
सेंटेंस बनाने के लिए नीचे शब्दों पर टैप करो
सही!बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: El nu a înțeles ceea ce i-am spus.
This sentence means 'He didn't understand what I told him.' 'Nu' negates the past tense verb 'a înțeles'.
sentence order
B2
सेंटेंस बनाने के लिए नीचे शब्दों पर टैप करो
सही!बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: Deși este târziu, nu am somn încă.
This sentence translates to 'Although it's late, I'm not sleepy yet.' 'Nu' negates the verb 'am'.
multiple choice
C2
Choose the most nuanced translation for 'Nu ai vrea să mă ajuți cu proiectul ăsta, nu-i așa?', assuming a context of polite but firm refusal.
सही!बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: Surely you wouldn't be unwilling to assist me with this endeavor, would you?
The original Romanian phrasing 'nu-i așa?' (isn't that so?) at the end, combined with 'Nu ai vrea' (you wouldn't want to), suggests a polite yet persuasive negative, implying a strong expectation of a positive response. Option C best captures this sophisticated nuance of polite pressure and expectation.
multiple choice
C2
In a philosophical discussion about free will, which option best expresses the idea of absolute negation when someone states, 'Omul este pe deplin liber,' and you wish to vehemently disagree?
सही!बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: Nicidecum nu.
'Nicidecum nu' translates to 'by no means no' or 'absolutely not' and carries the strongest, most emphatic negation among the options, suitable for a vehement disagreement on a profound topic. 'Absolut nu' is strong but 'Nicidecum nu' adds an extra layer of definitive dismissal.
multiple choice
C2
You are correcting a highly educated peer who has made a subtle factual error in a presentation. Which phrase, starting with 'Nu', would be the most appropriate and deferential way to introduce your correction?
सही!बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: Nu, de fapt, cred că există o mică nuanță aici.
This option uses 'Nu' to gently interrupt or disagree, then immediately softens the correction with 'de fapt' (in fact) and 'cred că există o mică nuanță aici' (I believe there's a small nuance here), making it deferential and less confrontational, appropriate for a peer correction.
true false
C2
The phrase 'Nu pot să nu remarc' (I can't not notice) implies a double negative that ultimately expresses an inability to avoid noticing something, rather than a strong negative assertion.
सही!बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: सही
This is true. The double negative 'Nu pot să nu' in Romanian (similar to English 'I can't not') functions to emphasize the inevitability or strong likelihood of an action or observation, effectively affirming it rather than negating it.
true false
C2
In Romanian idiomatic expressions, 'Nu face nimic' (It does nothing) always exclusively refers to an object being non-functional, never to the idea of 'It's alright' or 'Never mind'.
सही!बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: गलत
This is false. While 'Nu face nimic' can literally mean 'it does nothing', it is very commonly used idiomatically to mean 'It's alright', 'Never mind', or 'Don't worry about it', especially in response to an apology or a minor inconvenience.
true false
C2
When 'nu' precedes an entire clause in Romanian, such as 'Nu că nu aș vrea, dar nu pot' (Not that I wouldn't want to, but I can't), its primary function is to introduce a concession rather than a direct contradiction.
सही!बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: सही
This is true. In such constructions, 'Nu că...' introduces a concessive clause, acknowledging a potential positive aspect before presenting a contrasting negative reality or reason. It sets up an explanation for a negative outcome rather than a simple negation.
listening
C2
The speaker expresses disbelief about a project's completion.
सही!बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: Nu aș fi crezut niciodată că vei reuși să finalizezi proiectul la timp.
सही!बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
listening
C2
The speaker advises against taking more risks in negotiations.
सही!बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: Nu cred că ar trebui să ne asumăm riscuri suplimentare în această etapă a negocierilor.
सही!बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
listening
C2
The speaker emphasizes the importance of determination.
सही!बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब: Nu subestima niciodată puterea determinării în atingerea obiectivelor tale.
सही!बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
speaking
C2
Read this aloud:
Nu este acceptabil să ignori aceste avertismente repetate.
Focus: Nu, acceptabil, avertismente
तुमने कहा:
AI is analyzing your pronunciation...
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
सही!बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
speaking
C2
Read this aloud:
Nu am avut de ales decât să mă conformez deciziei majorității, deși nu eram de acord.
Focus: Nu, ales, conformez, deși
तुमने कहा:
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सही!बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
speaking
C2
Read this aloud:
Nu pot să nu remarc ironia situației date.
Focus: Nu, pot, remarc, ironia
तुमने कहा:
AI is analyzing your pronunciation...
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
सही!बिलकुल नहीं। सही जवाब:
/ 48 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
Mastering 'nu' is fundamental for basic communication and sentence construction in Romanian.
