Meaning
To indicate the non-existence or absence of something or someone.
Cultural Background
Directly saying 'no' can be seen as harsh. Using 'la yujad' in a formal setting is polite, but adding 'afwan' (sorry) or 'lil-asaf' (unfortunately) is culturally expected to soften the blow. In Egypt, you will almost never hear 'la yujad' in the street. They use 'mafish' (مافيش). However, all official documents and news use 'la yujad'. The phrase 'ma fi' is the standard. If you use 'la yujad' in a casual conversation, people might think you are quoting a book or being sarcastic. In the Gulf, 'ma fi' is also common, but 'la yujad' is frequently used in the massive service industry (hotels, airports) to maintain a professional standard with non-native speakers and tourists.
The Gender Trick
If the word ends in 'Ta Marbuta' (ة), always use 'la tujad' (with a T).
Don't be too formal
If you are buying tomatoes at a street market, use 'ma fi'. Using 'la yujad' might make the vendor laugh!
Meaning
To indicate the non-existence or absence of something or someone.
The Gender Trick
If the word ends in 'Ta Marbuta' (ة), always use 'la tujad' (with a T).
Don't be too formal
If you are buying tomatoes at a street market, use 'ma fi'. Using 'la yujad' might make the vendor laugh!
The 'Any' Addition
To say 'There is no... at all', add 'ay' (أي): لا يوجد أي مشكلة.
Polite Refusal
When someone asks for something you don't have, say 'Wallahi, la yujad' (By God, there isn't any) to sound more natural and sincere.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct form for the feminine noun 'سيارة' (car).
_______ سيارة في الشارع.
Since 'sayyara' is feminine, we must use 'la tujad' in formal Arabic.
Complete the sentence to say 'There is no sugar.'
لا _______ سكر.
Sugar (sukkar) is masculine in Arabic.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
Where would you most likely see 'لا يوجد نتائج'?
This is the standard Arabic translation for 'No results found'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: هل يوجد خبز؟ B: لا، _______ خبز اليوم.
The speaker is confirming the absence of bread.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Formal vs Informal
Practice Bank
4 exercises_______ سيارة في الشارع.
Since 'sayyara' is feminine, we must use 'la tujad' in formal Arabic.
لا _______ سكر.
Sugar (sukkar) is masculine in Arabic.
Where would you most likely see 'لا يوجد نتائج'?
This is the standard Arabic translation for 'No results found'.
A: هل يوجد خبز؟ B: لا، _______ خبز اليوم.
The speaker is confirming the absence of bread.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, you can say 'la yujad ahad' (there is no one). However, for people, 'ghayr mawjud' is also very common.
'Laysa' means 'is not' (negating an identity), while 'la yujad' means 'there isn't' (negating existence).
The root W-J-D is used, but the specific modern phrase 'la yujad' as a fixed existential negation is more common in Modern Standard Arabic.
Use 'lam yakun yujad' (لم يكن يوجد) or more simply 'ma kana fi' in dialect.
That is the formal 'damma' for the nominative case. In casual MSA speech, it is usually silent.
Yes, if you are being serious or professional. If texting a friend, 'ma fi' is better.
'La yujad' is passive (is not found). 'La yajid' is active (he does not find). You want the passive one!
Yes. For masculine plurals, use 'la yujad'. For feminine plurals (or non-human plurals), use 'la tujad'.
Simply 'yujad' (يوجد) or 'hunaka' (هناك).
Yes, everyone in the Arab world understands 'la yujad' because of school and television.
Related Phrases
ليس هناك
synonymThere is not there.
ما في
similarThere isn't (informal).
غير موجود
similarNon-existent / Not present.
عدم وجود
builds onThe lack of existence.
منعدم
specialized formTotally absent/void.
