न तो...न
Neither...nor.
न तो...न 30초 만에
- Means 'Neither...nor'.
- Connects two negative options.
- Requires parallel grammar structure.
- Do not use extra 'नहीं' (not).
The Hindi correlative conjunction 'न तो...न' (na to...na) is the direct equivalent of the English phrase 'neither...nor'. It is used to negate two or more alternatives simultaneously, indicating that none of the presented options are true, valid, or applicable. Understanding this structure is fundamental for learners at the A2 level as it allows for more complex sentence construction and precise expression of negative conditions. When you use 'न तो...न', you are essentially linking two negative statements into a single, cohesive thought. For example, instead of saying 'He does not eat apples. He does not eat bananas.', you combine them into 'He eats neither apples nor bananas.' In Hindi, this translates to 'वह न तो सेब खाता है, न केले।' The structure inherently carries a negative meaning, so additional negative words like 'नहीं' (nahin) are generally not required within the clauses governed by 'न तो...न', although colloquial usage sometimes includes them for emphasis.
- Syntactic Function
- It functions as a coordinating correlative conjunction, joining nouns, verbs, adjectives, or entire clauses of equal grammatical rank.
वह न तो हिंदी बोलता है न अंग्रेजी।
The placement of 'न तो' and 'न' is crucial. 'न तो' precedes the first alternative, and 'न' precedes the second alternative. This parallel structure ensures clarity. If you are negating verbs, the conjunctions must immediately precede the verbs or the entire verb phrases. If negating nouns, they must precede the nouns. This parallelism is a strict rule in formal Hindi grammar, though spoken Hindi can sometimes be more forgiving. Let's delve deeper into the nuances of its application across different grammatical categories.
- Negating Nouns
- When negating subjects or objects, the conjunctions sit directly before the nouns. Example: न तो राम आया, न श्याम। (Neither Ram came, nor Shyam.)
मुझे न तो चाय पसंद है न कॉफ़ी।
Furthermore, the verb agreement in sentences using 'न तो...न' can sometimes be tricky for learners. When two singular subjects are joined by 'न तो...न', the verb is typically singular and agrees with the subject closest to it. However, if the subjects are of different genders or numbers, the rules become more complex, often defaulting to masculine plural if mixed, or strictly agreeing with the nearest subject. This is a common area of confusion that requires practice.
- Verb Agreement Rule
- The verb usually agrees in gender and number with the noun or pronoun that is closest to it in the sentence structure.
न तो उसने खाया, न मैंने।
In literature and formal discourse, 'न तो...न' is employed to create a rhythmic, balanced cadence in writing. It emphasizes the absolute absence of the options provided. It is a powerful rhetorical tool. For instance, a politician might say 'We will accept neither corruption nor inefficiency' (हम न तो भ्रष्टाचार स्वीकार करेंगे, न अकुशलता). Here, the conjunction elevates the tone, making the statement sound definitive and uncompromising. The mastery of this conjunction marks a significant step from basic to intermediate proficiency in Hindi.
यह किताब न तो मेरी है न तुम्हारी।
वह न तो हँसा न रोया।
Using 'न तो...न' correctly requires an understanding of sentence structure and parallelism. The fundamental rule is that whatever grammatical element follows 'न तो' must be mirrored by the element following 'न'. If 'न तो' is followed by a noun, 'न' must be followed by a noun. If 'न तो' is followed by an adjective, 'न' must be followed by an adjective. This creates a balanced and grammatically sound sentence. Let us explore various sentence structures to see how this works in practice. When joining two subjects, the structure is: [न तो + Subject 1 + न + Subject 2 + Verb]. For example, 'न तो राहुल न अंजलि आएगी' (Neither Rahul nor Anjali will come). Notice how the verb 'आएगी' (will come) agrees with the closest subject, 'अंजलि' (Anjali), which is feminine singular.
- Joining Objects
- Structure: [Subject + न तो + Object 1 + Verb + न + Object 2]. Alternatively: [Subject + Verb + न तो + Object 1 + न + Object 2].
मैं न तो टीवी देखता हूँ न रेडियो सुनता हूँ।
When joining two verbs or actions, the structure becomes slightly more complex. You must ensure that the tense and aspect of both verbs are consistent. Structure: [Subject + न तो + Verb 1 + न + Verb 2]. For example, 'वह न तो पढ़ता है न लिखता है' (He neither reads nor writes). Here, both verbs are in the present habitual tense. Mixing tenses, such as 'वह न तो पढ़ता है न लिखेगा' (He neither reads nor will write), is grammatically awkward and generally avoided unless there is a specific contextual reason to contrast the present and the future.
- Joining Adjectives
- Structure: [Subject + न तो + Adjective 1 + है + न + Adjective 2]. Example: यह घर न तो बड़ा है न छोटा।
खाना न तो गर्म था न ठंडा।
Another important aspect of using 'न तो...न' is dealing with postpositions (like को, से, में, पर). If both nouns being negated require the same postposition, you have two choices. You can either repeat the postposition after each noun, or place it only after the second noun. For example: 'मैंने न तो राम को देखा, न श्याम को' (I saw neither Ram nor Shyam) OR 'मैंने न तो राम, न श्याम को देखा'. Both are correct, but repeating the postposition often adds emphasis and clarity, especially in spoken Hindi. However, if the nouns require different postpositions, you must explicitly state both to avoid grammatical errors.
- With Postpositions
- Repeating postpositions is safer for beginners to ensure grammatical accuracy.
उसने न तो मुझ से बात की न तुम से।
Finally, consider the tone. While 'न तो...न' is standard and neutral, its usage can sometimes sound slightly formal in casual conversation. In very relaxed, colloquial Hindi, speakers might simply string two negative sentences together ('वह नहीं आया, और उसने फोन भी नहीं किया' - He didn't come, and he didn't call either) instead of using the correlative conjunction ('उसने न तो फोन किया, न वह आया'). However, mastering 'न तो...न' is essential for writing, formal speaking, and fully comprehending native media, literature, and news broadcasts.
यह रास्ता न तो आसान है न सुरक्षित।
बच्चे ने न तो दूध पिया न बिस्कुट खाया।
The conjunction 'न तो...न' is ubiquitous in the Hindi language, bridging the gap between formal written text and everyday spoken communication. You will encounter it across a wide spectrum of contexts, from casual chats about food preferences to complex legal documents outlining prohibitions. Its primary function is to provide clarity when excluding multiple options, making it an indispensable tool for precise communication. In daily life, you might hear it at a restaurant when someone is ordering: 'मुझे न तो तीखा चाहिए, न मीठा' (I want neither spicy nor sweet). This immediately informs the waiter of the customer's specific dietary restrictions without needing lengthy explanations. It is efficient and universally understood across all Hindi-speaking regions.
- News and Media
- Journalists frequently use this structure to report on stalemates, denials, or lack of progress in political or social spheres.
सरकार ने न तो पुष्टि की न इनकार किया।
In professional environments, 'न तो...न' is used to maintain a polite yet firm tone. When rejecting proposals or clarifying boundaries, it sounds more professional than a blunt 'no'. For instance, a manager might state in an email, 'यह योजना न तो व्यावहारिक है न लाभदायक' (This plan is neither practical nor profitable). This clearly communicates the rejection while providing a structured, logical reason. In legal and official documents, the precision of 'न तो...न' is crucial. It leaves no room for ambiguity when stating what is not permitted or what conditions have not been met, ensuring that all parties have a clear understanding of the negative stipulations.
- Literature and Poetry
- Writers use it to create rhythm, emphasize loss, or describe a state of limbo or emptiness.
उसके दिल में न तो प्यार था न नफरत।
In educational settings, teachers use 'न तो...न' to correct students or explain concepts by ruling out incorrect possibilities. 'यह उत्तर न तो सही है न पूरा' (This answer is neither correct nor complete). It is also a staple in standardized Hindi language tests, where students are frequently tested on their ability to construct parallel negative sentences correctly. Understanding where and how native speakers deploy this conjunction will significantly improve your listening comprehension. You will start noticing it in debates, interviews, and everyday storytelling, where it serves as a linguistic anchor for negative assertions.
- Everyday Conversations
- Commonly used to express indifference or a lack of preference between two options.
आज मौसम न तो बहुत गर्म है न बहुत ठंडा।
While highly common, it's worth noting that in extremely informal, rapid speech, the 'तो' is sometimes dropped, resulting in just 'न...न' (e.g., 'न यह, न वह' - neither this, nor that). However, 'न तो...न' remains the standard, universally correct form that learners should prioritize. By mastering its usage, you equip yourself to navigate a vast array of social, professional, and cultural contexts in the Hindi-speaking world with confidence and accuracy.
मुझे न तो सोना मिला न चाँदी।
वह न तो अंदर आया न बाहर गया।
Learning to use 'न तो...न' effectively involves navigating several common pitfalls that trip up many Hindi learners. Because it involves coordinating two separate clauses or elements, errors often arise from a lack of parallelism or a misunderstanding of Hindi negation rules. One of the most frequent mistakes is the insertion of an extra negative word, usually 'नहीं' (nahin), into the sentence. Because 'न तो...न' inherently means 'neither...nor', adding 'नहीं' creates a double negative, which is grammatically incorrect in standard Hindi. For example, a learner might say, 'वह न तो खाता है नहीं पीता है' (He neither eats not drinks). The correct form is simply 'वह न तो खाता है न पीता है'. The conjunctions themselves carry the full weight of the negation.
- Double Negation Error
- Adding 'नहीं' when 'न तो...न' is already present. Incorrect: न तो वह नहीं आया। Correct: न तो वह आया।
गलत: न तो राम नहीं जाएगा न श्याम।
Another major stumbling block is the lack of parallel structure. As a correlative conjunction, 'न तो...न' demands balance. If you place 'न तो' before a noun, 'न' must also precede a noun. A common mistake is mixing grammatical categories. For instance, 'वह न तो घर पर है न काम कर रहा है' (He is neither at home nor working). While understandable, it mixes a prepositional phrase with a verb phrase. A better, more parallel structure would be 'वह न तो घर पर है न दफ्तर में' (He is neither at home nor at the office) or 'वह न तो आराम कर रहा है न काम कर रहा है' (He is neither resting nor working). Maintaining this balance makes your Hindi sound much more natural and fluent.
- Lack of Parallelism
- Placing the conjunctions before mismatched grammatical elements (e.g., a noun and a verb).
सही: उसने न तो किताब खरीदी न पेन।
Verb agreement also poses a significant challenge. When 'न तो...न' connects two subjects, the verb must agree with the subject closest to it. Learners often default to a plural masculine verb, regardless of the subjects. For example, if the subjects are 'राम' (Ram - masculine singular) and 'सीता' (Sita - feminine singular), and Sita is closer to the verb, the verb must be feminine singular. Incorrect: 'न तो राम न सीता आए' (Neither Ram nor Sita came - plural verb). Correct: 'न तो राम न सीता आई' (Neither Ram nor Sita came - feminine singular verb). This rule requires careful attention to gender and number, which are foundational aspects of Hindi grammar.
- Verb Agreement Errors
- Failing to match the verb's gender and number with the nearest subject when joining two subjects.
सही: न तो लड़के न लड़की खेल रही है।
Lastly, learners sometimes confuse 'न तो...न' with 'या तो...या' (either...or). While structurally similar, their meanings are opposite. Using 'या तो...या' when you mean to negate both options completely changes the message. For example, saying 'या तो मैं जाऊंगा या वह' means 'Either I will go or he will', whereas 'न तो मैं जाऊंगा न वह' means 'Neither I will go nor he will'. Paying close attention to the specific conjunction used is vital for accurate communication. Regular practice and mindful sentence construction are the best ways to overcome these common errors.
उसने न तो हाँ कहा न ना।
यह न तो मेरा काम है न आपका।
While 'न तो...न' is the standard and most precise way to say 'neither...nor' in Hindi, there are several similar words, phrases, and structures that learners should be aware of. Understanding these nuances helps in comprehending different registers of Hindi, from formal literature to casual street slang. The most direct variation is simply dropping the 'तो' and using 'न...न'. This is highly common in spoken Hindi and informal writing. For example, 'न यह, न वह' (neither this, nor that). It carries the exact same meaning but feels slightly less formal and more conversational. However, in formal writing or examinations, sticking to 'न तो...न' is highly recommended to demonstrate grammatical precision.
- न...न (na...na)
- An informal, shortened version of 'न तो...न'. Used frequently in rapid speech. Meaning is identical.
मुझे न चाय चाहिए न कॉफ़ी।
Another related structure is 'नहीं...और न ही' (nahin...aur na hi). This translates more closely to 'not...and nor'. It is used when you make a negative statement and then add another negative statement to it for emphasis. For example, 'मैं वहाँ नहीं गया, और न ही उसने मुझे बुलाया' (I didn't go there, and nor did he call me). This structure is often used when the two clauses are longer or more complex, whereas 'न तो...न' is preferred for shorter, parallel elements like single nouns or adjectives. 'और न ही' acts as a strong conjunction linking two separate negative ideas.
- नहीं...और न ही (nahin...aur na hi)
- Translates to 'not...and nor'. Used to connect two distinct negative clauses, often for added emphasis.
वह नहीं पढ़ता, और न ही काम करता है।
It is also crucial to contrast 'न तो...न' with its positive counterpart, 'या तो...या' (either...or). While they look structurally identical, they serve opposite functions. 'या तो...या' presents a choice between two alternatives, affirming that at least one is true or will happen. 'या तो राम आएगा या श्याम' (Either Ram will come or Shyam). Confusing these two will completely reverse the meaning of your sentence. Therefore, whenever you learn 'न तो...न', it is highly beneficial to practice it alongside 'या तो...या' to solidify the distinction in your mind.
- या तो...या (ya to...ya)
- The direct opposite: 'either...or'. Presents alternatives rather than negating them.
या तो पढ़ो या सो जाओ। (Either read or sleep.)
Finally, sometimes learners try to use 'भी नहीं' (bhi nahin - not even / also not) as a substitute. While related to negation, 'भी नहीं' is used to emphasize that something didn't happen in addition to something else, or to express surprise at a negative fact. 'उसने पानी भी नहीं पूछा' (He didn't even ask for water). It does not serve the correlative function of linking two excluded options like 'न तो...न' does. Understanding these subtle differences ensures you choose the exact right word for your intended meaning, elevating your Hindi from basic translation to natural expression.
कमरे में न तो कुर्सी थी न मेज़।
मैं न तो डॉक्टर हूँ न इंजीनियर।
How Formal Is It?
""
""
""
난이도
알아야 할 문법
수준별 예문
मुझे न तो सेब पसंद है न केला।
I like neither apple nor banana.
Basic use with nouns. 'पसंद है' (like) applies to both.
वह न तो राम है न श्याम।
He is neither Ram nor Shyam.
Identifying people. Simple 'है' (is) verb.
मेरे पास न तो कार है न बाइक।
I have neither a car nor a bike.
Used with 'के पास' (to have) structure.
यह न तो लाल है न नीला।
This is neither red nor blue.
Basic use with colors/adjectives.
मैं न तो चाय पीता हूँ न कॉफ़ी।
I drink neither tea nor coffee.
Simple present tense habitual action.
आज न तो सोमवार है न मंगलवार।
Today is neither Monday nor Tuesday.
Using with days of the week.
वह न तो मेरा भाई है न दोस्त।
He is neither my brother nor friend.
Expressing relationships.
कमरे में न तो मेज़ है न कुर्सी।
There is neither a table nor a chair in the room.
Describing existence/presence.
वह न तो पढ़ता है न खेलता है।
He neither studies nor plays.
Parallel structure with verbs in present tense.
आज मौसम न तो गर्म है न ठंडा।
Today the weather is neither hot nor cold.
Describing weather conditions with adjectives.
मैंने न तो उसे देखा न उससे बात की।
I neither saw him nor talked to him.
Past tense verbs. Note the different postpositions implied/used.
यह काम न तो आसान है न मुश्किल।
This work is neither easy nor difficult.
Contrasting abstract adjectives.
न तो तुम जाओगे न मैं जाऊँगा।
Neither you will go nor I will go.
Future tense. Verbs agree with their respective subjects.
उसने न तो खाना खाया न पानी पिया।
He neither ate food nor drank water.
Past perfective with objects.
यह शर्ट न तो मेरी है न तुम्हारी।
This shirt is neither mine nor yours.
Using possessive pronouns.
न तो वह खुश था न उदास।
He was neither happy nor sad.
Past tense with adjectives of emotion.
यह योजना न तो व्यावहारिक है न लाभदायक।
This plan is neither practical nor profitable.
Using more advanced vocabulary (व्यावहारिक, लाभदायक).
न तो पुलिस समय पर पहुँची न एम्बुलेंस।
Neither the police arrived on time nor the ambulance.
Verb 'पहुँची' agrees with the feminine subjects.
मुझे इस विवाद में न तो पड़ना है न कुछ कहना है।
I neither want to get into this dispute nor say anything.
Using infinitive + है structure for compulsion/desire.
उसका भाषण न तो स्पष्ट था न ही प्रभावशाली।
His speech was neither clear nor effective.
Adding 'ही' for slight emphasis on the second point.
न तो उसने मेरी मदद की न मेरे भाई की।
He helped neither me nor my brother.
Parallelism with objects requiring postpositions (की मदद).
यह समस्या न तो नई है न ही इसका समाधान आसान है।
This problem is neither new nor is its solution easy.
Connecting a simple adjective clause with a slightly more complex one.
वह न तो अंग्रेज़ी समझता है न बोलने की कोशिश करता है।
He neither understands English nor tries to speak it.
Connecting a simple verb with a compound verb structure.
न तो मुझे निमंत्रण मिला न मैं वहाँ जाना चाहता था।
Neither did I receive an invitation nor did I want to go there.
Connecting two distinct clauses with different subjects/structures.
प्रबंधन ने न तो हमारी माँगें मानीं न ही कोई वैकल्पिक प्रस्ताव दिया।
The management neither accepted our demands nor gave any alternative proposal.
Formal vocabulary, past perfective tense with complex objects.
यह नीति न तो आर्थिक रूप से व्यवहार्य है न सामाजिक रूप से स्वीकार्य।
This policy is neither economically viable nor socially acceptable.
Using adverbial phrases (आर्थिक रूप से) within the parallel structure.
न तो वह अपनी गलती मानने को तैयार है न ही माफ़ी माँगने को।
He is neither ready to admit his mistake nor to apologize.
Parallelism with infinitive phrases (मानने को, माँगने को).
इस लेख में न तो कोई ठोस तर्क है न ही विश्वसनीय आँकड़े।
This article contains neither any solid argument nor reliable data.
Abstract nouns and formal register.
न तो सरकार ने इस मुद्दे पर ध्यान दिया न ही विपक्ष ने इसे उठाया।
Neither the government paid attention to this issue nor did the opposition raise it.
Connecting clauses with different subjects acting on the same issue.
उसका व्यवहार न तो पेशेवर था न ही शिष्ट।
His behavior was neither professional nor courteous.
Advanced adjectives describing behavior.
न तो मुझे इस बात का अफ़सोस है न ही कोई पछतावा।
I have neither regret for this matter nor any remorse.
Synonymous abstract nouns for emphasis.
यह तकनीक न तो समय बचाती है न ही पैसे।
This technology saves neither time nor money.
Parallel objects governed by the same verb (बचाती है).
इस जटिल भू-राजनीतिक परिदृश्य में, न तो पूर्ण तटस्थता संभव है न ही आक्रामक हस्तक्षेप उचित।
In this complex geopolitical scenario, neither absolute neutrality is possible nor aggressive intervention appropriate.
Highly formal, academic vocabulary and complex sentence structure.
कवि ने न तो समाज की कुरीतियों को छिपाया न ही उन्हें महिमामंडित किया।
The poet neither hid the social evils nor glorified them.
Literary context, using advanced verbs (महिमामंडित करना).
न तो यह तर्क तार्किक कसौटी पर खरा उतरता है न ही अनुभवजन्य साक्ष्यों द्वारा समर्थित है।
Neither does this argument stand up to logical scrutiny nor is it supported by empirical evidence.
Advanced idiomatic expressions (कसौटी पर खरा उतरना) and passive voice.
आधुनिक जीवनशैली ने हमें न तो शारीरिक रूप से स्वस्थ छोड़ा है न मानसिक रूप से शांत।
The modern lifestyle has left us neither physically healthy nor mentally peaceful.
Complex object complement structure.
न तो वह इस षड्यंत्र का मुख्य सूत्रधार था न ही महज एक मूक दर्शक।
He was neither the main orchestrator of this conspiracy nor merely a silent spectator.
Nuanced description using precise nouns (सूत्रधार, मूक दर्शक).
इस फैसले से न तो वादी संतुष्ट हुआ न ही प्रतिवादी को न्याय मिला।
With this verdict, neither was the plaintiff satisfied nor did the defendant get justice.
Legal terminology (वादी, प्रतिवादी) and differing clause structures.
न तो उसकी कला में कोई मौलिकता थी न ही उसकी शैली में कोई नवीनता।
There was neither any originality in his art nor any novelty in his style.
Abstract concepts in art critique.
यह दार्शनिक सिद्धांत न तो मानव स्वभाव की पूरी व्याख्या करता है न ही ब्रह्मांड के रहस्यों को सुलझाता है।
This philosophical theory neither fully explains human nature nor solves the mysteries of the universe.
Academic discourse dealing with broad, abstract concepts.
अस्तित्ववाद के इस गहन अध्ययन में, लेखक ने न तो शून्यवाद को स्वीकारा है न ही पारंपरिक आस्तिकता को प्रश्रय दिया है।
In this profound study of existentialism, the author has neither accepted nihilism nor given refuge to traditional theism.
Extremely high register, specialized philosophical vocabulary (शून्यवाद, आस्तिकता).
न तो यह विडंबना मात्र एक साहित्यिक युक्ति है न ही यह महज़ एक भाषाई खेल; यह मानव नियति का एक क्रूर सत्य है।
Neither is this irony merely a literary device nor is it just a linguistic game; it is a cruel truth of human destiny.
Complex rhetorical structure, combining negation with a strong affirmative conclusion.
उसकी चुप्पी न तो सहमति का सूचक थी न ही अज्ञानता का; वह एक सुविचारित रणनीतिक कदम था।
His silence was an indicator of neither agreement nor ignorance; it was a well-thought-out strategic move.
Nuanced interpretation of abstract behavior.
न तो काल की गति को कोई रोक सका है न ही नियति के विधान को कोई टाल पाया है।
Neither has anyone been able to stop the flow of time nor has anyone been able to avert the decree of destiny.
Poetic/literary phrasing, dealing with universal truths.
इस ऐतिहासिक संधि ने न तो युद्ध की मूल वजहों को खत्म किया न ही स्थायी शांति की कोई ठोस नींव रखी।
This historic treaty neither eliminated the root causes of the war nor laid any solid foundation for lasting peace.
Historical analysis, precise and formal phrasing.
न तो वह अपने पूर्ववर्तियों की छाया से मुक्त हो पाया न ही अपने उत्तराधिकारियों के लिए कोई स्पष्ट मार्ग प्रशस्त कर सका।
Neither was he able to free himself from the shadow of his predecessors nor could he pave a clear path for his successors.
Complex metaphorical language (छाया से मुक्त, मार्ग प्रशस्त).
यह रचना न तो छंदबद्ध कविता के कड़े नियमों से बँधी है न ही गद्य की निरंकुशता में बहकती है।
This composition is neither bound by the strict rules of metered poetry nor does it wander into the unruliness of prose.
Literary criticism, highly specialized vocabulary (छंदबद्ध, निरंकुशता).
न तो उसकी महत्वाकांक्षाओं की कोई सीमा थी न ही उसके पतन की कोई थाह।
Neither did his ambitions have any limit nor did his downfall have any bottom (fathom).
Poetic exaggeration and dramatic literary tone.
자주 쓰는 조합
자주 쓰는 구문
न तो...न ही...
न तो मुझे पता है न उसे
न तो मैंने देखा न सुना
न तो खाया न पिया
न तो आया न गया
न तो लिया न दिया
न तो हँसा न रोया
न तो पास न दूर
न तो अपना न पराया
न तो दोस्त न दुश्मन
자주 혼동되는 단어
관용어 및 표현
""
""
""
""
""
""
""
""
""
""
혼동하기 쉬운
문장 패턴
사용법
While 'न तो...न' is the standard, adding 'ही' after the second 'न' (न तो...न ही) adds emphasis, similar to 'neither...nor even'.
- Adding 'नहीं' to the sentence (Double negation).
- Failing to maintain parallel grammatical structure.
- Incorrect verb agreement, especially with mixed-gender subjects.
- Confusing it with 'या तो...या' (either...or).
- Placing the conjunctions in the wrong part of the sentence (e.g., before the auxiliary verb instead of the main verb).
팁
Balance is Key
Always ensure the grammatical elements following 'न तो' and 'न' are the same. Noun matches noun, verb matches verb. This is called parallel structure.
Avoid Double Negatives
Resist the urge to add 'नहीं' to a sentence that already uses 'न तो...न'. The conjunctions do all the negating work for you.
Drop the 'तो' Casually
When speaking informally with friends, you can sound more natural by just using 'न...न'. For example, 'न चाय, न कॉफ़ी'.
Add 'ही' for Impact
If you want to strongly emphasize the second negative point, use 'न ही' instead of just 'न'. Example: 'न तो उसने खाया, न ही पिया'.
Proximity Rule
When in doubt about verb agreement with two subjects, make the verb agree with the subject that is physically closest to it in the sentence.
Contrast Practice
Practice 'न तो...न' alongside its opposite, 'या तो...या'. Write pairs of sentences to solidify the difference in your mind.
Formal Writing
In exams or formal emails, always use the full 'न तो...न' structure. It shows a good command of standard Hindi grammar.
Listen for the Pair
When you hear 'न तो', your brain should immediately start anticipating the second 'न'. This helps in predicting sentence structure.
Direct Mapping
Unlike some Hindi structures, 'न तो...न' maps almost perfectly to English 'neither...nor'. Use this to your advantage when translating.
Daily Routine
Try describing your lazy days using this structure. 'Today, I neither worked nor studied' (आज मैंने न तो काम किया न पढ़ाई की).
암기하기
기억법
Think of 'Na To' as 'Not This', and the second 'Na' as 'Not that either'. Na To... Na = Not This... Not that.
어원
Sanskrit
문화적 맥락
Using 'न तो...न' is generally considered polite and standard. It is less blunt than a flat 'नहीं'.
Found extensively in classical Hindi and Urdu poetry to express longing, emptiness, or the rejection of worldly things.
In some rural dialects, the 'तो' is almost always dropped, and variations like 'ना...ना' might be heard.
실생활에서 연습하기
실제 사용 상황
대화 시작하기
"आपको चाय पसंद है या कॉफ़ी? (मुझे न तो चाय पसंद है न कॉफ़ी।)"
"क्या आप कल आएँगे या परसों? (मैं न तो कल आऊँगा न परसों।)"
"यह फिल्म कैसी थी? (न तो अच्छी थी न बुरी।)"
"क्या राम और श्याम आ रहे हैं? (न तो राम आ रहा है न श्याम।)"
"क्या यह महंगा है? (यह न तो महंगा है न सस्ता।)"
일기 주제
Write about two things you neither like nor dislike, but just feel neutral about.
Describe a day where neither the weather was good nor your mood.
List two foods you will neither eat now nor in the future.
Write about a decision where neither option seemed good.
Describe a place that is neither too far nor too close.
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문No, standard Hindi grammar considers this a double negative. 'न तो...न' already contains the negative meaning. Saying 'न तो वह नहीं आया' is incorrect. Just say 'न तो वह आया'.
In formal writing and speaking, yes, it is highly recommended. However, in casual, everyday spoken Hindi, people often drop the 'तो' and just say 'न...न' (e.g., 'न राम आया, न श्याम').
The general rule is that the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. For example, 'न तो राम न सीता आई' (verb is feminine because Sita is closest). However, if the subjects are mixed, sometimes a masculine plural verb is used as a default.
They are exact opposites. 'न तो...न' means 'neither...nor' (both options are false/rejected). 'या तो...या' means 'either...or' (one of the options is true/chosen).
Yes, you can. You start with 'न तो' and then use 'न' before each subsequent item. For example: 'न तो राम, न श्याम, न ही मोहन आया' (Neither Ram, nor Shyam, nor Mohan came).
Yes, it is perfectly polite and standard. In fact, it can sometimes sound more diplomatic than a blunt 'नहीं' because it calmly rules out options rather than just shutting down a conversation.
You can either repeat the postposition after each noun ('न तो राम को, न श्याम को') or put it only after the last noun ('न तो राम, न श्याम को'). Repeating it is often clearer for learners.
Yes, but you must ensure parallel structure. 'न तो उसने मुझे बुलाया, न मैं वहाँ गया' (Neither did he call me, nor did I go there).
Adding 'ही' (hi) after the second 'न' adds emphasis. 'न तो राम आया न ही श्याम' means 'Neither Ram came, nor did Shyam even come'. It makes the second negation stronger.
Absolutely! It is very common in poetry and songs to express heartbreak or dilemmas. For example, 'न तो कारवाँ की तलाश है, न तो हमसफ़र की तलाश है' (I search neither for a caravan, nor for a companion).
셀프 테스트 200 질문
Translate: I like neither tea nor coffee.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: He is neither my brother nor my friend.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: Today is neither hot nor cold.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: Neither Ram nor Shyam came.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: I have neither time nor money.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: This is neither good nor bad.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: He neither reads nor writes.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: Neither yes nor no.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: Neither today nor tomorrow.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: Neither here nor there.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Combine using न तो...न: वह नहीं खाता है। वह नहीं पीता है।
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Combine using न तो...न: राम नहीं जाएगा। श्याम नहीं जाएगा।
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Combine using न तो...न: यह लाल नहीं है। यह नीला नहीं है।
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Combine using न तो...न: मुझे सेब नहीं चाहिए। मुझे केला नहीं चाहिए।
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Combine using न तो...न: आज सोमवार नहीं है। आज मंगलवार नहीं है।
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: Neither the police nor the ambulance arrived.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: This work is neither easy nor difficult.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: He neither laughed nor cried.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: I neither saw him nor talked to him.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: Neither you will go nor I will go.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Say 'I like neither tea nor coffee' in Hindi.
Read this aloud:
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'Neither Ram nor Shyam came' in Hindi.
Read this aloud:
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'He neither reads nor writes' in Hindi.
Read this aloud:
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'Today is neither hot nor cold' in Hindi.
Read this aloud:
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'This is neither good nor bad' in Hindi.
Read this aloud:
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'I have neither time nor money' in Hindi.
Read this aloud:
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'Neither yes nor no' in Hindi.
Read this aloud:
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'Neither today nor tomorrow' in Hindi.
Read this aloud:
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'He is neither my brother nor my friend' in Hindi.
Read this aloud:
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'Neither here nor there' in Hindi.
Read this aloud:
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'This work is neither easy nor difficult' in Hindi.
Read this aloud:
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'He neither laughed nor cried' in Hindi.
Read this aloud:
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'I neither saw him nor talked to him' in Hindi.
Read this aloud:
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'Neither you will go nor I will go' in Hindi.
Read this aloud:
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'This shirt is neither mine nor yours' in Hindi.
Read this aloud:
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'Neither police nor ambulance arrived' in Hindi.
Read this aloud:
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'He neither ate nor drank' in Hindi.
Read this aloud:
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'I want neither apple nor banana' in Hindi.
Read this aloud:
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'There is neither table nor chair in the room' in Hindi.
Read this aloud:
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Say 'He speaks neither Hindi nor English' in Hindi.
Read this aloud:
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Listen to 'मुझे न तो चाय पसंद है न कॉफ़ी'. What does it mean?
Listen to 'न तो राम आया न श्याम'. Who came?
Listen to 'वह न तो पढ़ता है न लिखता है'. What does he do?
Listen to 'आज न तो गर्मी है न सर्दी'. How is the weather?
Listen to 'यह न तो अच्छा है न बुरा'. What is the quality?
Listen to 'मेरे पास न तो समय है न पैसा'. What does the person have?
Listen to 'न तो हाँ न ना'. What is the answer?
Listen to 'न तो आज न कल'. When will it happen?
Listen to 'वह न तो मेरा भाई है न दोस्त'. What is the relationship?
Listen to 'न तो यहाँ न वहाँ'. Where is it?
Listen to 'यह काम न तो आसान है न मुश्किल'. How is the work?
Listen to 'न तो पुलिस आई न एम्बुलेंस'. Who arrived?
Listen to 'उसने न तो खाया न पिया'. What did he consume?
Listen to 'यह शर्ट न तो मेरी है न तुम्हारी'. Whose shirt is it?
Listen to 'न तो वह हँसा न रोया'. What was his reaction?
/ 200 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
Use 'न तो...न' to clearly state that out of two options, zero are true or chosen. Example: न तो राम आया न श्याम (Neither Ram came nor Shyam).
- Means 'Neither...nor'.
- Connects two negative options.
- Requires parallel grammar structure.
- Do not use extra 'नहीं' (not).
Balance is Key
Always ensure the grammatical elements following 'न तो' and 'न' are the same. Noun matches noun, verb matches verb. This is called parallel structure.
Avoid Double Negatives
Resist the urge to add 'नहीं' to a sentence that already uses 'न तो...न'. The conjunctions do all the negating work for you.
Drop the 'तो' Casually
When speaking informally with friends, you can sound more natural by just using 'न...न'. For example, 'न चाय, न कॉफ़ी'.
Add 'ही' for Impact
If you want to strongly emphasize the second negative point, use 'न ही' instead of just 'न'. Example: 'न तो उसने खाया, न ही पिया'.
예시
वह न तो गाता है न नाचता है।
관련 콘텐츠
communication 관련 단어
आदेश देना
A2To order, to give instructions.
आवाज़
A2소리/목소리; 공기나 다른 매질을 통해 전달되는 진동.
अंग्रेजी
A1A West Germanic language.
अंग्रेज़ी
A1English (a West Germanic language).
अक्षर
A2Letter of the alphabet, character.
अख़बार
A2신문 (Sinmun). 저는 매일 아침 신문을 읽습니다. 오늘 신문에 흥미로운 기사가 있습니다.
अलविदा
A2안녕; 작별 인사.
अनुवाद करना
A2To translate, to express words from one language into another.
भेंट करना
B1To meet, to visit (formal).
भेंटना
B1만나다, 방문하다; 누군가나 무언가를 마주치다.