A1 Questions & Negation 18 min read Easy

Saying 'No' in Present Tense (nemi-)

To negate a standard present tense verb, simply swap the starting mi- for nemi-.

Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

To make a verb negative in Persian, simply add the prefix 'nemi-' to the beginning of the present stem.

  • Add 'nemi-' to the present stem: 'mi-ravam' (I go) becomes 'nemi-ravam' (I don't go).
  • The 'nemi-' prefix is always attached directly to the verb without a space.
  • In spoken Persian, 'nemi-' often shortens to 'nemi-' or 'nami-' depending on the dialect.
nemi- + [Verb Stem] + [Personal Ending]

Overview

Mastering negation is fundamental in any language, and in Persian, saying "no" to an action in the present tense follows a highly predictable and consistent pattern. This rule, centered around the prefix nemi- (نمی-), allows you to transform affirmative present actions like "I go" (miravam - می‌روم) into their negative counterparts, "I don't go" (nemiravam - نمی‌روم). Unlike English, where a separate word like "not" is inserted, Persian integrates the negation directly into the verb's structure.

This grammatical mechanism is crucial for expressing what you are not doing, what you do not habitually do, or even what you will not do in the immediate future, making it an indispensable tool for A1 learners.

The consistency of nemi- simplifies a core aspect of verbal conjugation. It provides a clear, unambiguous signal that an action is being denied or not performed. Understanding this prefix is your gateway to constructing more complex sentences and truly expressing your intentions or observations in Persian.

This grammatical device is not merely a linguistic quirk; it reflects a foundational principle of verb morphology in Persian, where prefixes and suffixes often carry significant grammatical weight and modify the verb's core meaning or tense.

How This Grammar Works

At its core, Persian present tense verbs (excluding certain irregular verbs like hastam - هستم for "to be") utilize the present stem of a verb combined with the mi- prefix (می-) and a personal ending. The mi- prefix indicates ongoing, habitual, or immediate future action. To negate this, Persian employs a fascinating phonological process: the negative particle na- (نَـ) directly merges with the affirmative mi- (می-) prefix.
This fusion results in the unique nemi- (نمی-) form.
The na- particle, signifying negation, essentially collides with mi-, causing a vowel change and a shift in pronunciation. The short 'a' sound of na- combines with the 'i' sound of mi- to produce the 'e' sound in nemi-. This isn't just a convenience; it's a deep-rooted linguistic process of prefix assimilation, common in many Indo-European languages, where combining morphemes create a new, distinct sound.
Crucially, when na- and mi- merge into nemi-, the stress in the word shifts to this new negative prefix. This stress shift is acoustically important for native speakers, clearly signaling the negation and emphasizing the denial of the action. For instance, in miravam (می‌روم – I go), the stress might subtly fall on the stem or ending, but in nemiravam (نمی‌روم – I don't go), nemi- receives the primary emphasis, making the negation salient.
In written Persian, nemi- is almost always attached to the verb stem. A zero-width non-joiner (ZWNJ) is often conceptually present between nemi and the verb stem, especially in digitally rendered text, which ensures they appear connected without merging into a single character block. For A1 learners, the key takeaway is to write nemi- as an integral part of the verb, not as a separate word.
This direct integration is a hallmark of Persian verb morphology.

Formation Pattern

1
Forming the negative present tense in Persian is a straightforward, three-step process once you know the affirmative present tense conjugation. The underlying principle is to replace the affirmative mi- prefix with the negative nemi- prefix, while keeping the core meaning-bearing part of the verb – the present stem – and the personal ending intact.
2
Here’s the step-by-step formation:
3
Identify the Affirmative Present Tense Verb: Start with any regular verb conjugated in the affirmative present tense. For example, mikhānam (می‌خوانَم – I read/I am reading), derived from the infinitive khāndan (خواندن – to read) with the present stem khān (خوان).
4
Locate the mi- Prefix: In mikhānam, the mi- (می-) is clearly at the beginning, signaling the present tense aspect.
5
Replace mi- with nemi-: Substitute mi- (می-) with nemi- (نمی-). The rest of the verb – the present stem and the personal ending – remains unchanged.
6
The Universal Formula:
7
nemi- (نمی-) + [Present Stem] + [Personal Ending]
8
Let's illustrate this with the verb raftan (رفتن – to go), whose present stem is rav (رو):
9
| Personal Pronoun | Affirmative Present Tense (می‌روَم) | Negative Present Tense (نمی‌روَم) |
10
| :--------------- | :--------------------------------- | :---------------------------------- |
11
| من (man – I) | miravam (می‌روَم) | nemiravam (نمی‌روَم) |
12
| تو (to – you, sg.) | miravi (می‌رَوی) | nemiravi (نمی‌رَوی) |
13
| او (u – he/she/it) | miravad (می‌رَوَد) | nemiravad (نمی‌رَوَد) |
14
| ما ( – we) | miravim (می‌رَویم) | nemiravim (نمی‌رَویم) |
15
| شما (shomā – you, pl.) | miravid (می‌رَوید) | nemiravid (نمی‌رَوید) |
16
| آنها (ānhā – they) | miravand (می‌رَوَند) | nemiravand (نمی‌رَوَند) |
17
Notice how the nemi- prefix consistently appears across all persons. This makes conjugating negative present tense verbs highly regular once you know the present stem and the personal endings.
18
Example:
19
man kār mikonam. (من کار می‌کنَم. – I work/I am working.)
20
man kār nemikonam. (من کار نمی‌کنَم. – I don't work/I am not working.)
21
Example:
22
u ketāb mikhārad. (او کتاب می‌خَرَد. – He/She buys a book.)
23
u ketāb nemikhārad. (او کتاب نمی‌خَرَد. – He/She doesn't buy a book.)

When To Use It

The nemi- prefix is remarkably versatile and covers a broad range of negative expressions in the present tense, extending even to future implications in colloquial speech. You will employ this construction whenever you need to deny an action that is currently happening, habitually occurs, or is intended for the immediate future. Its flexibility makes it one of the most frequently used grammatical structures in Persian.
  1. 1To Express Habitual or General Actions: This is the most common use. When you want to state that you do not typically perform an action or that something generally does not happen.
  • man qahve nemikhoram. (من قهوه نمی‌خورَم. – I don't drink coffee [habitually].)
  • ānhā be shab-e jomeh kār nemikonand. (آنها به شب جمعه کار نمی‌کنند. – They don't work on Friday nights [habitually].)
  1. 1To Deny an Action Currently in Progress: When someone asks what you are doing, or if you are doing something specific, and you wish to deny it.
  • shomā ketāb nemikhānid? (شما کتاب نمی‌خوانید؟ – Aren't you reading a book?)
  • na, man ketāb nemikhānam. man film mibinamb. (نه، من کتاب نمی‌خوانَم. من فیلم می‌بینَم. – No, I am not reading a book. I am watching a movie.)
  1. 1To Express Future Intentions or Refusals (Colloquial and Common): In spoken Persian, the present tense, both affirmative and negative, frequently serves to express future actions, especially in the near future or when there is strong intent. Context usually disambiguates whether it refers to the present or future.
  • fardā be dāneshgāh nemiravam. (فردا به دانشگاه نمی‌روَم. – I won't go to university tomorrow. / I am not going to university tomorrow.)
  • man in kār-rā nemikonam! (من این کار را نمی‌کنَم! – I won't do this work!)
  1. 1To State General Truths or Facts in the Negative: Similar to habitual actions, this applies to universal statements or facts that are not true.
  • āb dar in harārat nemiyanjamad. (آب در این حرارت نمی‌اَنجَمَد. – Water does not freeze at this temperature.)
By understanding these contexts, you can effectively use nemi- to negate a wide array of actions and states, making your Persian communication much more precise and natural. The key is recognizing that nemi- is the default, go-to negation for almost all regular verbs in the present tense.

When Not To Use It

While nemi- is the workhorse for present tense negation, there are critical exceptions and distinct scenarios where it is incorrect to use this prefix. Ignoring these exceptions is a common pitfall for learners and can lead to ungrammatical or confusing sentences. The most prominent exceptions involve the verbs "to be" and "to have," which follow entirely different negation patterns due to their inherent irregularity in Persian.
  1. 1The Verb "To Be" (budan - بودن):
The verb budan (to be) does not use mi- in its present tense affirmative forms (e.g., hastam - هستم, hasti - هستی). Consequently, it does not use nemi- for negation. Instead, it employs the particle nist (نیست), which conjugates with the standard personal endings to form its negative present tense.
Formula for "To Be" (Negation):
nist (نیست) + [Personal Ending] (except for nist itself for third person singular)
| Personal Pronoun | Affirmative Present Tense (هستم) | Negative Present Tense (نیستَم) |
| :--------------- | :-------------------------------- | :-------------------------------- |
| من (man – I) | hastam (هستم) | nistam (نیستَم) |
| تو (to – you, sg.) | hasti (هستی) | nisti (نیستی) |
| او (u – he/she/it) | ast (است) / hast (هست) | nist (نیست) |
| ما ( – we) | hastim (هستیم) | nistim (نیستیم) |
| شما (shomā – you, pl.) | hastid (هستید) | nistid (نیستید) |
| آنها (ānhā – they) | hastand (هستند) | nistand (نیستند) |
Example:
  • man mo'allem hastam. (من معلّم هستم. – I am a teacher.)
  • man mo'allem nistam. (من معلّم نیستَم. – I am not a teacher.)
  • Incorrect: man mo'allem nemibasham. (The verb budan does have a present stem bāsh (باش), but nemibāsham is extremely formal and rarely used in common A1 contexts for simple negation of "to be.")
  1. 1The Verb "To Have" (dāshtan - داشتن):
The verb dāshtan (to have) is another significant exception. In its affirmative present tense, it is irregular and does not take the mi- prefix (e.g., dāram - دارم, dāri - داری). For negation, it simply adds the na- (نَـ) particle directly before its present forms.
Formula for "To Have" (Negation):
na- (نَـ) + [Irregular Present Form of dāshtan]
| Personal Pronoun | Affirmative Present Tense (دارَم) | Negative Present Tense (نَدارَم) |
| :--------------- | :-------------------------------- | :-------------------------------- |
| من (man – I) | dāram (دارَم) | nadāram (نَدارَم) |
| تو (to – you, sg.) | dāri (داری) | nadāri (نَداری) |
| او (u – he/she/it) | dārad (دارد) | nadārad (نَدارد) |
| ما ( – we) | dārim (داریم) | nadārim (نَداریم) |
| شما (shomā – you, pl.) | dārid (دارید) | nadārid (نَدارید) |
| آنها (ānhā – they) | dārand (دارند) | nadārand (نَدارند) |
Example:
  • man pul dāram. (من پول دارَم. – I have money.)
  • man pul nadāram. (من پول نَدارَم. – I don't have money.)
  • Incorrect: man pul nemidāram.
  1. 1Past Tense Negation (na-):
When negating verbs in the past tense, you do not use nemi-. Instead, the na- particle is directly prefixed to the past stem of the verb (which is typically the infinitive minus -an). The mi- prefix is entirely absent in past tense constructions.
Example:
  • man raftam. (من رفتَم. – I went.)
  • man naraftam. (من نَرَفتَم. – I didn't go.)
  • Incorrect: man nemiraftam. (This would mean "I wasn't going" or "I didn't used to go," which is past continuous negative, not simple past negative.)
  1. 1Imperative (Command) Negation (na-):
To form a negative command ("Don't do X!"), you again use the na- prefix, but it attaches directly to the present stem of the verb. There is no mi- or nemi- in imperatives.
Example:
  • boro! (برو! – Go!)
  • naro! (نَرو! – Don't go!)
  • bekhor! (بخور! – Eat!)
  • nakhor! (نَخور! – Don't eat!)
Understanding these distinct negation patterns is crucial. While nemi- handles the vast majority of present tense verbs, these specific cases require careful attention to avoid common and easily detectable errors. Always remember the special rules for "to be" and "to have," and distinguish present negation from past or imperative forms.

Common Mistakes

Persian learners, particularly at the A1 level, frequently encounter specific challenges when internalizing the nemi- negation pattern. Recognizing these common errors and understanding why they occur is essential for effective learning and avoiding ingrained mistakes.
  1. 1The "na separate from mi-" Trap (na miravam vs. nemiravam):
  • Error: Learners sometimes try to negate present tense verbs by placing na (نَ) as a separate word before the mi- prefix, for example, saying na miravam (نَ می‌روم) instead of nemiravam (نمی‌روم).
  • Why it's wrong: As discussed, na- and mi- undergo mandatory phonological assimilation, merging into nemi-. They are not independent particles that can be separated in this context. The separation of na and mi only happens in very specific, archaic, or poetic contexts that are well beyond A1 level. For modern, standard Persian, they fuse.
  • Correction: Always remember that the fusion na- + mi- = nemi- is a single, inseparable prefix. Think of it as a fixed unit.
  1. 1Forcing nemi- onto "To Be" (budan) and "To Have" (dāshtan):
  • Error: A natural tendency is to over-generalize the nemi- rule and apply it to all present tense negations, including the highly irregular verbs budan (to be) and dāshtan (to have). For instance, saying man mo'allem nemihastam or man pul nemidāram.
  • Why it's wrong: These two verbs are fundamental exceptions because their affirmative present tense forms do not use mi- in the first place (e.g., hastam, dāram). Their irregular nature extends to their negation, using nist for "to be" and na- directly for "to have."
  • Correction: Memorize the complete conjugation of nistam and nadāram early. These are high-frequency verbs, and mastering their specific negations will prevent many basic errors.
  1. 1Confusing Present Negative (nemi-) with Past Negative (na-):
  • Error: Using nemi- when negating a simple past action, such as man nemiraftam when intending to say "I didn't go." nemiraftam actually means "I wasn't going" or "I didn't used to go" (past continuous negative).
  • Why it's wrong: The mi- (and thus nemi-) prefix specifically signals the present continuous/habitual aspect. Its presence or absence is a critical marker of tense. Simple past negation uses na- directly on the past stem, without mi-.
  • Correction: Pay close attention to the verb stem and prefixes. If there's no mi- in the affirmative past, there won't be a nemi- in the negative simple past. na- + past stem = simple past negative. nemi- + present stem = present negative.
  1. 1Incorrect Stress Placement:
  • Error: Pronouncing nemiravam with emphasis on the stem, similar to how miravam might be stressed, rather than on the nemi- prefix.
  • Why it's wrong: The stress shift to nemi- is a phonetic signal of negation in Persian. Misplacing the stress can make the negation less clear or sound unnatural to a native speaker.
  • Correction: Actively listen to native speakers and practice pronouncing nemi- with a clear emphasis. This auditory training is vital for sounding more natural.
  1. 1Writing Errors: Ignoring the Zero-Width Non-Joiner (ZWNJ):
  • Error: Writing نمی روم (with a space) or نمی‌روم (with a full join, which would look like نمیْروم).
  • Why it's wrong: While for A1, simply attaching nemi to the stem is generally accepted, precise rendering in Persian typography uses the ZWNJ to ensure نمی‌روم looks like one word but prevents character re-shaping that would occur if it were a single, entirely connected block. A space dramatically breaks the word.
  • Correction: For handwriting, just connect نمی and روَم. For typing, most modern Persian keyboards and software handle the ZWNJ automatically, but be aware that it's a single word unit, not two separate words.
By being mindful of these common pitfalls, you can accelerate your mastery of Persian present tense negation and develop more accurate and natural communication habits from the outset.

Real Conversations

Understanding nemi- in theoretical terms is one thing; observing and applying it in authentic conversational contexts is another. In everyday Persian, nemi- is ubiquitous, appearing in everything from casual chats to formal discussions. Its flexibility, especially in conveying future intent, makes it a cornerstone of dynamic communication. Notice how the same nemi- form can carry different nuances depending on the context.

E

Example 1

Denying a Habitual Action (Casual Chat)

- A: ketāb ziād mikhānid? (کتاب زیاد می‌خوانید؟ – Do you read many books?)

- B: na, rastesh, man ziād ketāb nemikhānam. Bishtar film mibinam. (نه، راستش، من زیاد کتاب نمی‌خوانَم. بیشتر فیلم می‌بینَم. – No, honestly, I don't read many books. I watch more movies.)

Here, nemikhānam clearly conveys a general, habitual lack of reading. The context of ziād (much/many) reinforces this as a general statement about reading habits.

E

Example 2

Refusing a Current Action (Phone Call)

- A: dāri kār mikonid? (داری کار می‌کنید؟ – Are you working?)

- B: na, nemikonam. dar park hastam. (نه، نمی‌کنَم. در پارک هستم. – No, I am not [working]. I am in the park.)

In this exchange, nemikonam negates an action in progress. It's a direct response to a question about the current activity. Notice that the affirmative hastam is used for "I am in the park."

E

Example 3

Expressing Future Refusal (Colloquial Usage in Texting)

- A: fardā miyāy pārti? (فردا میای پارتی؟ – Are you coming to the party tomorrow? [colloquial miyāy for miyāyi])

- B: na, nemiyām. kār dāram. (نه، نمی‌آم. کار دارم. – No, I won't come. I have work. [colloquial nemiyām for nemiyāyam])

This is a classic example of present negative (nemiyām) being used to express a future refusal. The word fardā (tomorrow) provides the temporal context, making the future interpretation clear. This is extremely common in informal spoken and written Persian.

E

Example 4

Expressing Dislike or Inability (Social Situation)

- man shirini nemikhoram, tashakkor. (من شیرینی نمی‌خورَم، تشکر. – I don't eat sweets, thank you.)

This statement uses nemikhoram to indicate a general disinclination or perhaps a dietary restriction. It's a polite but firm refusal.

C

Cultural Insight

Persians often use direct negation with nemi- in daily interactions. While politeness is valued, denying an action directly with nemikonam or nemiravam is perfectly acceptable and expected. Unlike some cultures that might use more indirect forms of refusal, Persian tends to be quite explicit in this grammatical construction.

These examples demonstrate the real-world application and flexibility of the nemi- prefix. Paying attention to these nuances will significantly enhance your communicative competence in Persian.

Progressive Practice

1

Consistent and varied practice is essential for solidifying your understanding and automatic application of the nemi- negation. Moving beyond rote memorization to active usage will embed this pattern deeply into your linguistic intuition. Here are structured approaches for progressive practice, suitable for an A1 learner:

2

Affirmative to Negative Transformation Drills:

- Objective: To rapidly convert affirmative present tense sentences into their negative counterparts.

- Method: Take simple affirmative sentences and consciously replace mi- with nemi-. Start with verbs you know well.

- Example:

- man Fārsi miharafam. (من فارسی می‌حرفَم. – I speak Farsi.)

- Your turn: man Fārsi nemiharafam. (من فارسی نمی‌حرفَم. – I don't speak Farsi.)

- u be tehrān miravad. (او به تهران می‌رَوَد. – He goes to Tehran.)

- Your turn: u be tehrān nemiravad. (او به تهران نمی‌رَوَد. – He doesn't go to Tehran.)

3

Fill-in-the-Blanks with Context:

- Objective: To choose the correct negative form based on the context.

- Method: Provide sentences with blanks where either an affirmative or negative form of a verb is needed. Crucially, include sentences requiring nistam/nadāram to reinforce exceptions.

- Example:

- man ketāb __________. (khāndan - to read) (من کتاب __________. (خواندن))

- (Possible answer: nemikhānam – نمی‌خوانَم)

- u pul __________. (dāshtan - to have) (او پول __________. (داشتن))

- (Possible answer: nadārad – نَدارَد)

- mā dāneshju __________. (budan - to be) (ما دانشجو __________. (بودن))

- (Possible answer: nistim – نیستیم)

4

Question and Answer Practice:

- Objective: To use negative forms naturally in conversational responses.

- Method: Ask yourself simple questions and answer them honestly, incorporating nemi-.

- Example:

- Āyā shomā qahve mikhorid? (آیا شما قهوه می‌خورید؟ – Do you drink coffee?)

- Your answer: Na, man qahve nemikhoram. (نه، من قهوه نمی‌خورَم. – No, I don't drink coffee.)

- Āyā fardā kār mikonid? (آیا فردا کار می‌کنید؟ – Are you working tomorrow?)

- Your answer: Na, fardā kār nemikonam. (نه، فردا کار نمی‌کنَم. – No, I am not working tomorrow.)

5

Listen and Identify:

- Objective: To develop auditory recognition of nemi- and its associated stress.

- Method: Listen to Persian audio (podcasts for learners, simple dialogues, songs) and try to identify every instance of a nemi- verb. Note its pronunciation and the context.

6

Role-Playing and Self-Correction:

- Objective: To simulate real-life interactions and build confidence.

- Method: Imagine scenarios where you need to deny actions. For example, a friend invites you to do something you don't want to do, or someone asks about your routine. Practice your responses aloud. Record yourself and listen back, checking for correct nemi- usage, pronunciation, and stress.

By engaging with these practices regularly, you'll not only internalize the grammatical rule but also develop the fluidity needed to use nemi- effortlessly in your Persian conversations. Remember to always double-check the exceptions (budan, dāshtan) during these exercises.

Quick FAQ

Here are quick answers to some common questions about the nemi- negation in Persian present tense.
Q: Is the pronunciation nami or nemi?

In standard modern Persian, the pronunciation is definitively nemi (نمی-). The 'e' sound is a short vowel, similar to the 'e' in the English word "bed." Avoid pronouncing it with an 'a' sound, as in nami (نَمی-), which would be incorrect and less common.

Q: Do I write nemi- attached or separate from the verb?

You should write nemi- attached to the verb stem in standard Persian. For example, نمی‌روم (nemiravam). Although a zero-width non-joiner (ZWNJ) is often used in digital text to ensure proper rendering without full character merger, conceptually and practically, it forms a single word unit with the verb stem. Writing it separately with a full space, like نمی روم, is incorrect.

Q: Does nemiravam (نمی‌روم) only mean "I don't go" or can it also mean "I won't go"?

In colloquial and informal spoken Persian, the negative present tense with nemi- frequently serves a dual purpose, expressing both habitual/current actions ("I don't go / I am not going") and future refusals or intentions ("I won't go / I am not going to go"). The context, often indicated by time adverbs like fardā (فردا – tomorrow) or hafte-ye āyande (هفته‌ی آینده – next week), clarifies whether the meaning is present or future. For example, fardā nemiravam (فردا نمی‌روم) almost certainly means "I won't go tomorrow."

Q: Are there any other irregular verbs besides budan (to be) and dāshtan (to have) that don't use nemi- for present tense negation?

For A1 learners, budan (to be) and dāshtan (to have) are the primary and most important exceptions to memorize. While there are a few other highly idiomatic or less common verbs that might have slight irregularities in negation or specialized contexts (e.g., certain compound verbs with dādan – دادن for permission), they are generally outside the scope of A1 curriculum. Focus on mastering nemi- for regular verbs and the distinct patterns for nistam and nadāram; this covers the vast majority of common usage at your level.

Q: How does nemi- relate to na-?

na- (نَـ) is the fundamental negative particle in Persian. nemi- is a specific phonetic assimilation of na- when it combines with the mi- prefix of the present tense. So, nemi- is na- in a specific context. na- by itself is used for negating past tense verbs (naraftam – I didn't go) and imperative verbs (naro! – Don't go!). The presence of mi- in the affirmative is what triggers the nemi- form in the negative present. Always remember: mi- + na- = nemi-.

Negation of 'to go' (رفتن - raftan)

Person Affirmative Negative
I
می‌روم
نمی‌روم
You (sg)
می‌روی
نمی‌روی
He/She
می‌رود
نمی‌رود
We
می‌رویم
نمی‌رویم
You (pl)
می‌روید
نمی‌روید
They
می‌روند
نمی‌روند

Meanings

The prefix 'nemi-' is used to negate verbs in the present tense, indicating that an action is not happening or is not a habitual state.

1

Simple Negation

Denying an action in the present.

“من نمی‌خورم (I don't eat)”

“او نمی‌بیند (He doesn't see)”

Reference Table

Reference table for Saying 'No' in Present Tense (nemi-)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
mi + stem + ending
می‌روم
Negative
nemi + stem + ending
نمی‌روم
Question
mi + stem + ending + ?
می‌روی؟
Negative Question
nemi + stem + ending + ?
نمی‌روی؟
Short Answer (Yes)
بله
بله
Short Answer (No)
نه
نه

Formality Spectrum

Formal
نمی‌دانم

نمی‌دانم (General)

Neutral
نمی‌دانم

نمی‌دانم (General)

Informal
نمی‌دونم

نمی‌دونم (General)

Slang
نمدونم

نمدونم (General)

The Nemi- Universe

nemi-

Verbs

  • نمی‌خورم I don't eat
  • نمی‌روم I don't go

Examples by Level

1

من نمی‌روم

I am not going

2

او نمی‌خورد

He is not eating

3

ما نمی‌دانیم

We don't know

4

شما نمی‌بینید

You don't see

1

من فارسی نمی‌خوانم

I don't study Persian

2

آن‌ها نمی‌آیند

They are not coming

3

تو نمی‌فهمی

You don't understand

4

او نمی‌خوابد

She is not sleeping

1

من نمی‌توانم بیایم

I cannot come

2

او نمی‌خواهد صحبت کند

He doesn't want to talk

3

ما نمی‌توانیم صبر کنیم

We cannot wait

4

آن‌ها نمی‌توانند بشنوند

They cannot hear

1

من کار نمی‌کنم

I don't work

2

او بازی نمی‌کند

He doesn't play

3

ما فکر نمی‌کنیم

We don't think

4

شما تلاش نمی‌کنید

You don't try

1

او هیچ‌چیز نمی‌گوید

He says nothing

2

من نمی‌توانم باور کنم

I cannot believe

3

آن‌ها نمی‌توانند تصمیم بگیرند

They cannot decide

4

ما نمی‌توانیم ادامه دهیم

We cannot continue

1

او هرگز نمی‌خندد

He never laughs

2

من نمی‌توانم درک کنم

I cannot comprehend

3

آن‌ها نمی‌توانند تغییر دهند

They cannot change

4

ما نمی‌توانیم نادیده بگیریم

We cannot ignore

Easily Confused

Saying 'No' in Present Tense (nemi-) vs Negation of 'to be'

Learners try to use nemi- with 'hastan'.

Common Mistakes

na miravam

nemiravam

Nemi- is a prefix, not a separate word.

ne-mi-ravam

nemiravam

Do not keep the 'mi' when adding 'nemi'.

nemihastam

nistam

Nemi- is for actions, not 'to be'.

nemikardam

nemikardam (past)

Confusing present negation with past.

Sentence Patterns

من ___ نمی‌کنم.

Real World Usage

Texting constant

نمی‌تونم بیام

💡

Prefix Power

Always attach nemi- directly.

Smart Tips

Drop the mi-.

mi-ravam nemi-ravam

Pronunciation

ne-mi-RA-vam

Stress

The stress falls on the 'ne' of 'nemi'.

Falling

نمی‌روم↓

Statement of fact.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'nemi' as 'No-Me' — when you say 'No-Me', you are negating yourself.

Visual Association

Imagine a giant red 'X' stamp hitting the 'mi-' prefix and turning it into 'nemi-'.

Rhyme

When you want to say no, don't be shy, just put nemi in front of the mi.

Story

Ali wants to eat. He says 'mikhoram'. But the food is bad. He makes a face and says 'nemikhoram'. Now he is full and happy.

Word Web

نمی‌رومنمی‌خورمنمی‌دانمنمی‌بینمنمی‌خواهمنمی‌توانم

Challenge

For 5 minutes, describe 5 things you are NOT doing right now using 'nemi-'.

Cultural Notes

In Tehran, 'nemi-' often becomes 'nami-' in fast speech.

Derived from the Old Persian negation 'na'.

Conversation Starters

آیا می‌روی؟

Journal Prompts

Write 5 things you don't do on weekends.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct


Incorrect

Correct


Incorrect

Correct


Incorrect

Correct

Test Yourself

Negate the verb.

من ___ (go) نمی‌روم.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
Nemi- is the prefix.

Score: /1

Practice Exercises

1 exercises
Negate the verb.

من ___ (go) نمی‌روم.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
Nemi- is the prefix.

Score: /1

Practice Bank

12 exercises
Negate the verb 'to see' (midinam -> ...) Fill in the Blank

Man to râ ___ (I don't see you).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: nemibinam
Match the positive verb to its negative form Match Pairs

Match the pairs:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["miram (I go) - nemiram","mikh\u00e2im (we want) - nemikh\u00e2im","mituni (you can) - nemituni","midunan (they know) - nemidunan"]
Find the error in the 'have' verb Error Correction

Man vaght nemidâram. (I don't have time)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Man vaght nadâram.
Arrange to say: 'We don't buy bread.' Sentence Reorder

nân / mâ / nemikharim

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Mâ nân nemikharim.
Translate 'She isn't coming.' Translation

Translate to Persian (colloquial)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Un nemiâd.
Which is correct for 'They don't read'? Multiple Choice

Identify the correct form:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Nemikhunand (Formal) / Nemikhunan (Casual)
Complete: I ___ coffee. (drink) Fill in the Blank

Man ghahve ___ (nemikhoram).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: nemikhoram
Match the context to the phrase Match Pairs

Match context to phrase:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["Ghosting a call - Jav\u00e2b nemidam","Being broke - Pul nad\u00e2ram","Being confused - Nemifahmam","Being full - Nemikhoram"]
Correct the verb 'to be' Error Correction

Man khaste nemihastam. (I'm not tired)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Man khaste nistam.
Order: 'Why don't you exercise?' Sentence Reorder

varzesh / cherâ / nemikoni

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Cherâ varzesh nemikoni?
Negate 'mizanam' (I hit/play music) Fill in the Blank

Man gitâr ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: nemizanam
Translate 'I don't remember' Multiple Choice

Yâdam ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: nemiâd

Score: /12

FAQ (1)

Yes, it is consistent for all persons.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

In Other Languages

Spanish partial

no + verb

Persian is a prefix; Spanish is a separate word.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!