A1 Questions & Negation 15 min read Easy

"I Don't Have": Negating to have (nadāshtan)

To say 'don't have', just add **na-** to the present forms: **dāram** becomes **nadāram**.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

To say 'I don't have' in Persian, simply replace the 'd' at the start of the verb 'dāshtan' with the prefix 'na-'.

  • Identify the verb 'dāshtan' (to have).
  • Remove the initial 'd' and add 'na-' to create 'nadāshtan'.
  • Conjugate 'nadāshtan' according to the subject (e.g., man nadāram).
Subject + (na + dāshtan conjugation) + Object

Overview

In Persian, expressing the concept of "I don't have" is fundamental for A1 learners. While many verbs follow predictable patterns for negation, the verb dāshtan (داشتن), meaning "to have" or "to possess," is an exception. Its negation, nadāshtan (نداشتن), follows a distinct rule that deviates from the standard negation pattern for most other present tense verbs.

Understanding this unique behavior is crucial because nadāshtan is used constantly in everyday conversation to indicate absence, lack, or non-possession of physical objects, abstract concepts, and even certain states of being.

This rule introduces you to one of Persian's irregular verbs, which, despite its deviation, offers a remarkably consistent and straightforward negation method once its pattern is recognized. You will learn to articulate that you lack time, money, patience, or any other item, making it an indispensable tool for basic communication.

How This Grammar Works

The uniqueness of dāshtan (داشتن) stems from its behavior in the simple present tense. Unlike the vast majority of Persian verbs, which employ the mi- (می-) prefix in their present affirmative forms (e.g., miravam [می‌روم] - "I go"), dāshtan does not use mi- in the present tense. Instead, its affirmative present forms are directly conjugated from the present stem dār- (دار-) and personal endings (e.g., dāram [دارم] - "I have").
This initial irregularity sets the stage for its equally irregular negation.
When negating dāshtan, you directly attach the negative prefix na- (نَـ) to the present stem dār- (دار-), followed by the usual personal endings. The key here is the absence of mi- (می-) in both the affirmative and negative present forms. Therefore, while most verbs negate with nemi- (نمی-) (e.g., nemiravam [نمی‌روم] - "I don't go"), dāshtan negates simply with na- (نَـ).
This makes it a "rebel" verb in Persian grammar.
Furthermore, a critical aspect of nadāshtan (نداشتن) is the stress shift. In affirmative present forms like dāram (دارَم), the stress typically falls on the last syllable of the stem or the ending. However, when na- (نَـ) is added, the stress emphatically shifts to this negative prefix.
So, dāram (دارَم) becomes NA-dāram (نَدام). This initial stress is not just a phonetic detail; it audibly reinforces the negation, signaling a clear "no" or "lack" to the listener.
  • Most verbs (affirmative): mi- + stem + ending (e.g., mi-rav-am - "I go")
  • Most verbs (negative): nemi- + stem + ending (e.g., ne-mi-rav-am - "I don't go")
  • dāshtan (affirmative): stem + ending (e.g., dār-am - "I have")
  • dāshtan (negative): na- + stem + ending (e.g., na-dār-am - "I don't have")
This distinct pattern is a feature of a small group of highly frequent verbs in Persian, requiring direct memorization. Mastering nadāshtan correctly from the outset avoids common errors and makes your Persian sound more natural.

Formation Pattern

1
The formation of nadāshtan (نداشتن) in the present tense is consistent across all persons. It involves combining the negative prefix na- (نَـ), the present stem dār- (دار-), and the appropriate personal ending. Remember that the stress falls on the na- (نَـ) prefix.
2
Here is the full conjugation table for nadāshtan in the simple present tense:
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| Person | Pronoun | Present Stem | Ending | Affirmative Present (Formal) | Negative Present (Formal) | Negative Present (Colloquial) |
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| :-------- | :----------- | :----------- | :----- | :--------------------------- | :------------------------------ | :------------------------------ |
5
| 1st Sg. | man (من) | dār (دار) | -am (ـم) | dāram (دارم) | nadāram (نَدارَم) | nadāram (نَدارَم) |
6
| 2nd Sg. | to (تو) | dār (دار) | -i (ـی) | dāri (داری) | nadāri (نَدارى) | nadāri (نَدارى) |
7
| 3rd Sg. | u (او) | dār (دار) | -ad (ـد) | dārad (دارد) | nadārad (نَدارَد) | nadāre (نَدارِه) |
8
| 1st Pl. | mā (ما) | dār (دار) | -im (ـیم) | dārim (داریم) | nadārim (نَداریم) | nadārim (نَداریم) |
9
| 2nd Pl. | shomā (شما) | dār (دار) | -id (ـید) | dārid (دارید) | nadārid (نَدارید) | nadārin (نَدارین) |
10
| 3rd Pl. | ānhā (آنها) | dār (دار) | -and (ـند) | dārand (دارند) | nadārand (نَدارَند) | nadāran (نَدارَن) |
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Key Points for Formation:
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Prefix na- (نَـ): Always the first element, carrying the emphatic stress. The vowel under the n is fatḥa (َ). نَدارَم
13
Present Stem dār- (دار-): This is the unchanging core for all persons in the present tense.
14
Personal Endings: These are standard across all regular and irregular verbs in the present tense, indicating the subject.
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Colloquial Shortening: In spoken Persian, the third person singular -ad (ـد) often shortens to -e (ـه) and the second/third person plural endings often drop the final d/nd. This is a common feature of spoken Persian and helps you sound more natural.
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Examples:
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man pul nadāram. (من پول نَدارَم.) – "I don't have money."
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to vaght nadāri. (تو وقت نَداری.) – "You don't have time."
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u ketāb nadāre. (او کتاب نَدارِه.) – "He/She doesn't have a book." (Colloquial)

When To Use It

Nadāshtan (نداشتن) is a highly versatile verb, used whenever you need to express a lack of possession, availability, or certain states. It's not limited to physical items but extends to abstract concepts and even idiomatic expressions.
  1. 1Physical Possession: This is the most straightforward use, indicating that you do not own or possess a tangible item.
  • man māshin nadāram. (من ماشین نَدارَم.) – "I don't have a car."
  • ānhā khāne nadārand. (آنها خانه نَدارَند.) – "They don't have a house."
  1. 1Abstract Concepts: Use nadāshtan to express the absence of non-tangible things like time, patience, or permission.
  • mā vaght nadārim. (ما وقت نَداریم.) – "We don't have time."
  • to hosele nadāri. (تو حوصله نَداری.) – "You don't have patience / You're not in the mood." (A very common idiom)
  1. 1Relationships: It can describe the lack of a particular family member or connection.
  • u barādar nadārad. (او برادر نَدارَد.) – "He/She doesn't have a brother."
  • man dust pesar nadāram. (من دوست‌پسر نَدارَم.) – "I don't have a boyfriend."
  1. 1Availability/Stock: In commercial or service contexts, nadāshtan is used to state that an item is not available or in stock.
  • bebakhshid, in rang nadārim. (ببخشید، این رنگ نَداریم.) – "Excuse me, we don't have this color (in stock)."
  • āyā shomā chai dārid? na, chai nadārim. (آیا شما چای دارید؟ نه، چای نَداریم.) – "Do you have tea? No, we don't have tea."
  1. 1Idiomatic Expressions for States of Being: While nistam (نیستم) is used for "I am not," nadāshtan can be part of idioms to describe certain internal states.
  • man hāle khub nadāram. (من حال خوب نَدارَم.) – "I don't have a good state / I'm not feeling well." (More common than man hālam khub nist in some contexts)
  • man gush nadāram. (من گوش نَدارَم.) – "I don't have an ear / I don't pay attention." (Figurative)
Consider nadāshtan as your go-to verb for articulating any form of "not having" or "lacking" in present contexts.

When Not To Use It

Distinguishing nadāshtan (نداشتن) from other negative constructions is crucial for accuracy. Using it incorrectly can lead to grammatically awkward or even unintelligible sentences.
  1. 1When Negating "To Be" (بودن): If you want to say "I am not," "you are not," etc., you must use the negative forms of the verb budan (بودن) which are based on nist (نیست). Nadāshtan is about possession, nist is about being or existence.
  • Incorrect: man khaste nadāram. (Incorrect for "I am not tired.")
  • Correct: man khaste nistam. (من خسته نیستم.) – "I am not tired."
  • Incorrect: u mo'allem nadāre. (Incorrect for "He/She is not a teacher.")
  • Correct: u mo'allem nist. (او معلم نیست.) – "He/She is not a teacher."
  1. 1When Expressing Non-Existence in a Place ("There isn't..."): To state that something does not exist in a particular location, use nist (نیست), not nadāshtan.
  • Incorrect: tū khūne gorbe nadārim. (Incorrect for "There isn't a cat in the house.")
  • Correct: tū khūne gorbe nist. (تو خونه گربه نیست.) – "There isn't a cat in the house."
  • This distinguishes between man gorbe nadāram (I don't possess a cat) and gorbe nist (A cat does not exist here).
  1. 1When Negating Most Other Verbs: The na- + dār- pattern is specific to dāshtan. For almost all other verbs in the present tense, the negation involves nemi- (نمی-).
  • Incorrect: man miram. (Correct: "I go") -> man nadāram. (Incorrect for "I don't go.")
  • Correct: man nemiravam. (من نمی‌روم.) – "I don't go."
  • Incorrect: to kar mikoni. (Correct: "You work") -> to kar nadāri. (Incorrect for "You don't work.")
  • Correct: to kar nemikoni. (تو کار نمی‌کنی.) – "You don't work."
  1. 1When Describing Lack of Ability: While in English, "I don't have the ability" is common, Persian uses constructions with natavānestan (نتوانستن - "to be unable") or nemitunam (نمی‌تونم - "I can't") to express inability.
  • Incorrect: man kār nadāram. (Incorrect for "I can't do this work.")
  • Correct: man in kār-o nemitunam bekonam. (من این کارو نمی‌تونم بکنم.) – "I can't do this work."

Common Mistakes

Learners often make specific errors when trying to negate dāshtan due to its irregular nature and interference from other grammatical rules. Being aware of these pitfalls will significantly improve your accuracy.
  1. 1The "Mi" Trap (*namidāram): This is arguably the most common and persistent error. Because most other present tense verbs use nemi- (نمی-) for negation, learners instinctively apply this pattern to dāshtan.
  • Incorrect: man pul namidāram. (Incorrect for "I don't have money.")
  • Why it's wrong: dāshtan never takes mi- (می-) in its present forms, neither affirmative nor negative. It simply attaches na- (نَـ) directly to the stem.
  • Correct: man pul nadāram. (من پول نَدارَم.) – "I don't have money."
  • How to fix: Actively associate dāshtan with the "no mi-" rule. Think of it as a unique category that bypasses the mi- prefix entirely.
  1. 1Stress Placement (nadāRAM): Failing to shift the stress to the na- (نَـ) prefix is a subtle but noticeable error that can make your speech sound unnatural or less emphatic.
  • Incorrect: man vaght nadāRAM. (Stress on the last syllable, like affirmative dāram.)
  • Why it's wrong: The emphatic na- (نَـ) prefix demands initial stress to highlight the negation. Maintaining end-stress can confuse listeners or make the negation sound weak.
  • Correct: man vaght NA-dāram. (من وقت نَدارَم.) – "I don't have time."
  • How to fix: Practice pronouncing nadāram and all its conjugations with a strong, clear stress on the very first syllable. Record yourself and compare.
  1. 1Confusing with Nistam (I am not): English speakers sometimes conflate "to not have" with "to not be," leading to incorrect usage of nadāshtan when nistam (نیستم) is required.
  • Incorrect: man garm nadāram. (Incorrect for "I am not warm.")
  • Why it's wrong: garm (گرم) is an adjective describing a state of being. "To be warm" uses budan (بودن), whose negation is nistam (نیستم).
  • Correct: man garmam nist. (من گرمم نیست.) – "I am not warm." (Literally: "My warmth is not.") or man garm nistam. (من گرم نیستم.) – "I am not warm."
  • How to fix: Always evaluate whether you are expressing possession (dāshtan) or being/existence (budan). If it's about a characteristic or state, nist (نیست) is likely the correct choice.
  1. 1Overgeneralizing to the Past Tense: While the na- prefix is also used for past tense negation of dāshtan (e.g., nadāshtam - "I didn't have"), the stem changes. Some learners might try to apply the present stem dār- (دار-) in the past, which is incorrect.
  • Incorrect: man vaght nadāram diruz. (Mixing present tense nadāram with a past time indicator.)
  • Why it's wrong: While the na- remains, the verb dāshtan uses its past stem dāsht- (داشت-) for past tense negation.
  • Correct: man diruz vaght nadāshtam. (من دیروز وقت نَداشتم.) – "I didn't have time yesterday."
  • How to fix: Understand that while na- (نَـ) is a consistent negative prefix for dāshtan across tenses, the stem itself conjugates for tense.

Real Conversations

Nadāshtan (نداشتن) is a cornerstone of daily Persian communication. Here’s how you'll encounter it in authentic, modern contexts, highlighting both formal and colloquial usage.

1. At the Shop/Cafe: This is one of the most frequent settings for nadāshtan.

- Customer: āyā shomā shirini dārid? (آیا شما شیرینی دارید؟) – "Do you have sweets?"

- Shopkeeper (Colloquial): bebakhshid, shirini nadārim. (ببخشید، شیرینی نَداریم.) – "Excuse me, we don't have sweets." (Short, direct)

- Shopkeeper (More polite): mot'assefāne, dige shirini nadārim. (متأسفانه، دیگه شیرینی نَداریم.) – "Unfortunately, we don't have sweets anymore."

2. Making Plans/Social Interactions: Expressing availability, mood, or resources.

- Friend A (Colloquial): fardā vaght dāri berim park? (فردا وقت داری بریم پارک؟) – "Do you have time tomorrow to go to the park?"

- Friend B (Colloquial): na, fardā vaght nadāram. kār dāram. (نه، فردا وقت نَدارَم. کار دارَم.) – "No, tomorrow I don't have time. I have work."

- Friend C (Colloquial): hosele nadāram bekhunim. (حوصله نَدارَم بخونیم.) – "I'm not in the mood to study." (Commonly used to express lack of desire/patience)

3. Problem-Solving/Technical Issues: Explaining a lack of necessary components or services.

- man internet nadāram. (من اینترنت نَدارَم.) – "I don't have internet."

- bateriye gūshiyam nadāre. (باتری گوشی‌اَم نَدارِه.) – "My phone doesn't have battery (left)." (Literally: "My phone's battery doesn't have.")

- charge-kon nadāri? (شارژر نَداری؟) – "Don't you have a charger?" (Asking if someone lacks something)

4. Formal/Written Contexts: While more likely to be direct, the formal forms appear in official communications.

- in sherkat tajrobe-ye kāfi dar in zamīne nadārad. (این شرکت تجربهٔ کافی در این زمینه نَدارَد.) – "This company does not have sufficient experience in this field."

- mā etelā'āt-e bishtar dar mored-e in mas'ale nadārim. (ما اطلاعات بیشتر در مورد این مسئله نَداریم.) – "We do not have more information about this issue."

Notice the consistent na- stress and the use of the appropriate personal endings, even in rapid colloquial speech. Understanding the subtle difference between formal and colloquial endings (e.g., nadārad vs. nadāre) will make your Persian sound much more authentic.

Progressive Practice

1

Mastering nadāshtan (نداشتن) requires consistent practice to internalize its irregular pattern and differentiate it from other negative constructions. Start with simple drills and gradually build up to more complex sentence structures and conversational exchanges.

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Conjugation Drills: Systematically go through all persons of nadāshtan (نداشتن), reciting both formal and colloquial forms aloud, emphasizing the na- (نَـ) stress.

- man nadāram (من نَدارَم), to nadāri (تو نَداری), u nadāre (او نَدارِه), etc.

- Write out the full conjugation table multiple times until it feels natural.

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Simple Translation (English to Persian): Translate basic sentences focusing solely on "don't have."

- I don't have a pen. -> man ghalam nadāram. (من قلم نَدارَم.)

- They don't have a car. -> ānhā māshin nadāran. (آنها ماشین نَدارَن.)

- We don't have much time. -> mā vaght-e ziādi nadārim. (ما وقت زیادی نَداریم.)

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Distinguishing nadāshtan vs. nist: Create exercises where you must choose between "to not have" and "to not be/exist."

- Prompt: I am not a student. Choice: nadāram / nistam.

- Answer: man dāneshju nistam. (من دانشجو نیستم.)

- Prompt: There is no bread in the house. Choice: nadāre / nist.

- Answer: tū khūne nūn nist. (تو خونه نون نیست.)

- Prompt: She doesn't have a phone. Choice: nadāre / nist.

- Answer: u gūshi nadāre. (او گوشی نَدارِه.)

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Contextual Sentence Completion: Fill in the blanks with the correct form of nadāshtan or other relevant negative verbs.

- man emruz vaght _____. (امروز وقت نَدارَم.) – "I don't have time today."

- u ketāb-ash-rā _____. (او کتابش را نَدارَد.) – "He/She doesn't have his/her book."

- mā in rangi _____ (dar in maghāze). (ما این رنگی نَداریم [در این مغازه].) – "We don't have this color (in this shop)."

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Role-Playing/Dialogue Practice: Engage in simple role-play scenarios that necessitate the use of nadāshtan.

- Imagine you are at a market asking for various items, and the vendor consistently replies that they "don't have" them.

- Practice politely refusing an invitation by saying you "don't have time" or are "not in the mood (hosele nadāram)."

Regularly reviewing the conjugation table and actively creating your own sentences will solidify your understanding and make the usage of nadāshtan second nature.

Quick FAQ

Q: Can I use nadāshtan for the past tense as well?

Yes, the na- (نَـ) prefix is also used for negating dāshtan in the past tense, but the verb stem changes. For the past tense, you use the past stem dāsht- (داشت-) instead of the present stem dār- (دار-).

  • Example: man vaght nadāshtam. (من وقت نَداشتَم.) – "I didn't have time."
Q: Is nadāram considered rude in Persian?

No, nadāram (نَدارَم) is a neutral statement of fact. It simply conveys a lack of possession or availability. Whether it sounds rude depends entirely on your tone of voice and any additional polite phrases you might use. For example, adding bebakhshid (ببخشید - "excuse me") or mot'assefāne (متأسفانه - "unfortunately") can soften the statement if needed in certain social contexts.

Q: How do Persians express "I won't have" in the future?

For A1 learners, it's common and perfectly acceptable to use the present negative nadāram (نَدارَم) with a future time indicator to express a future lack. Persian often relies on context and time adverbs for future expressions with dāshtan.

  • Example: fardā vaght nadāram. (فردا وقت نَدارَم.) – "I won't have time tomorrow." (Literally: "Tomorrow I don't have time.")
While there's a formal future tense, this present tense usage for future lack is very common in spoken Persian.
Q: What's the fundamental difference between nadāshtan and nist (نیست)?

This is a crucial distinction:

  • Nadāshtan (نداشتن) means "to not have" or "to not possess." It implies a lack of ownership or direct connection between a subject and an object.
  • man pul nadāram. (من پول نَدارَم.) – "I don't have money."
  • Nist (نیست) means "is not" or "does not exist." It's the negation of hast (هست - "is/exists") and is used to negate states of being or the presence of something in a location.
  • pul nist. (پول نیست.) – "There is no money / Money is not (here)."
  • man khaste nistam. (من خسته نیستم.) – "I am not tired."

Think: nadāshtan for possession, nist for existence or being.

Q: Why does dāshtan behave so differently from other verbs?

Dāshtan (داشتن) is an irregular verb that has retained some older grammatical features. Its unique conjugation and negation patterns are historical relics in the language. While there are deeper linguistic explanations, for an A1 learner, the most practical approach is to recognize it as a special case and memorize its specific rules. It's one of those fundamental verbs whose common usage ensures its irregular forms are deeply ingrained in the language, much like "to be" or "to have" in English have their own unique conjugations.

Conjugation of 'Nadāshtan' (Present Tense)

Subject Pronoun Negative Form
I
Man
nadāram
You (singular)
To
nadāri
He/She/It
Ou
nadārad
We
Mā
nadārim
You (plural/formal)
Shomā
nadārid
They
Ānhā
nadārand

Meanings

This rule is used to express the absence of possession or the lack of an object.

1

Possession

Denying ownership of physical items.

“من ماشین ندارم”

“او وقت ندارد”

2

Abstract concepts

Denying possession of ideas, time, or feelings.

“من ایده ندارم”

“او صبر ندارد”

Reference Table

Reference table for "I Don't Have": Negating to have (nadāshtan)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Subject + dāram
Man dāram
Negative
Subject + nadāram
Man nadāram
Question
Subject + dāri?
To dāri?
Negative Question
Subject + nadāri?
To nadāri?
Short Answer (Yes)
Bale, dāram
Bale, dāram
Short Answer (No)
Na, nadāram
Na, nadāram

Formality Spectrum

Formal
بنده وقت ندارم

بنده وقت ندارم (Daily life)

Neutral
من وقت ندارم

من وقت ندارم (Daily life)

Informal
وقت ندارم

وقت ندارم (Daily life)

Slang
وقت ندارم دیگه

وقت ندارم دیگه (Daily life)

The 'Nadāshtan' Logic

dāshtan

Negation

  • na- prefix

Result

  • nadāshtan to not have

Affirmative vs Negative

Affirmative
dāram I have
Negative
nadāram I don't have
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Examples by Level

1

من پول ندارم

I don't have money.

2

او وقت ندارد

He/she doesn't have time.

3

ما ماشین نداریم

We don't have a car.

4

شما کلید ندارید

You don't have the key.

1

من هیچ ایده‌ای ندارم

I don't have any idea.

2

آنها هیچ مشکلی ندارند

They don't have any problem.

3

تو چرا پاسپورت نداری؟

Why don't you have a passport?

4

من این کتاب را ندارم

I don't have this book.

1

اگر وقت نداشته باشم، نمی‌آیم

If I don't have time, I won't come.

2

او هیچ علاقه‌ای به این کار ندارد

He has no interest in this job.

3

ما هیچ چاره‌ای نداریم

We have no choice.

4

آیا شما اجازه ندارید وارد شوید؟

Don't you have permission to enter?

1

او هیچ دلیلی برای این کار ندارد

He has no reason for this action.

2

من هیچ دسترسی به این فایل ندارم

I don't have access to this file.

3

آنها هیچ شناختی از این موضوع ندارند

They have no knowledge of this topic.

4

ما هیچ شکی در این مورد نداریم

We have no doubt about this.

1

او هیچ‌گونه مسئولیتی در قبال این اتفاق ندارد

He has no responsibility for this incident.

2

من هیچ تمایلی به ادامه این بحث ندارم

I have no desire to continue this discussion.

3

آیا شما هیچ مدرکی ندارید؟

Don't you have any evidence?

4

آنها هیچ‌کدام این کتاب را ندارند

None of them have this book.

1

هیچ‌کس در این شهر چنین حقی ندارد

No one in this city has such a right.

2

من هیچ‌گاه چنین فرصتی نداشته‌ام

I have never had such an opportunity.

3

او هیچ‌گونه درکی از شرایط ندارد

He has no understanding of the conditions.

4

ما هیچ‌گونه شکایتی نداریم

We have no complaints.

Easily Confused

"I Don't Have": Negating to have (nadāshtan) vs Nist vs Nadāram

Learners use 'nist' for possession.

"I Don't Have": Negating to have (nadāshtan) vs Nadāshtan vs Nemidānam

Both start with 'na'.

"I Don't Have": Negating to have (nadāshtan) vs Nadāram vs Naboodan

Both are negative.

Common Mistakes

✗

na dāram

✓

nadāram

The prefix must be attached.
✗

dāram na

✓

nadāram

Negation prefix goes at the start.
✗

man nadāri

✓

man nadāram

Verb must agree with subject.
✗

nadāram-e

✓

nadāram

No extra suffixes needed.
✗

ou nadāram

✓

ou nadārad

Wrong conjugation.
✗

nadāram ketāb

✓

ketāb nadāram

Object usually comes before the verb.
✗

na-dāram

✓

nadāram

No hyphen needed.
✗

nadāshtan-am

✓

nadāram

Don't use the infinitive.
✗

nistam dāram

✓

nadāram

Don't mix 'to be' and 'to have'.
✗

nadāram-e

✓

nadāram

Avoid unnecessary endings.
✗

nadāram-rā

✓

ān-rā nadāram

Object marker placement.

Sentence Patterns

من ___ ندارم.

او هیچ ___ ندارد.

آیا شما ___ ندارید؟

من هیچ‌گونه ___ ندارم.

Real World Usage

Shopping constant

این سایز را ندارم.

Texting very common

وقت ندارم فعلاً.

Job Interview common

من تجربه کافی ندارم.

Travel common

من بلیط ندارم.

Food Delivery occasional

من قاشق ندارم.

Social Media common

من هیچ نظری ندارم.

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💡

Prefix placement

Always attach 'na' directly to the verb. Don't leave a space.
⚠️

Don't use 'nist'

Remember 'nist' is for existence, 'nadāram' is for possession.
🎯

Stress the prefix

In spoken Persian, stressing the 'na' makes your negation clear.
💬

Polite refusal

Using 'nadāram' is a direct but polite way to say you don't have something.

Smart Tips

Always think: 'na' + 'dāram'.

Man dāram na. → Man nadāram.

If you can say 'I possess', use 'nadāram'.

Man ketāb nist. → Man ketāb nadāram.

Focus on the 'na' sound to be clear.

dāram (sounds like I have). → na-dāram (clearly I don't have).

Use the full form 'nadāram' instead of slang.

nadāram دیگه. → من ندارم.

Pronunciation

na-DA-ram

Stress

The stress in 'nadāram' is on the 'na' prefix.

Statement

Man nadāram ↓

Neutral declaration of lack.

Question

To nadāri? ↑

Asking if someone lacks something.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'na' as 'NO'. If you have NO, you use NA.

Visual Association

Imagine a person holding a box. When they say 'nadāram', the box suddenly disappears in a puff of smoke.

Rhyme

If you want to say you lack, just put 'na' at the track.

Story

Ali goes to the store. He wants bread. The shopkeeper says 'nadāram'. Ali wants milk. The shopkeeper says 'nadāram'. Ali leaves with nothing.

Word Web

dāshtannadāshtandāramnadāramvaqtpulketāb

Challenge

For the next 5 minutes, look at everything around you and say 'Man [item] nadāram' for things you don't possess.

Cultural Notes

In Tehran, the 'a' in 'nadāram' is often shortened in very fast speech.

In formal writing, the structure is strictly maintained.

Shirazi speakers might have a slightly different intonation, but the grammar remains the same.

The prefix 'na-' is an ancient Indo-European negation marker.

Conversation Starters

“

آیا وقت دارید؟

“

آیا ماشین دارید؟

“

آیا شما ایده جدیدی دارید؟

“

آیا شما مدرک لازم را دارید؟

Journal Prompts

Write about 3 things you don't have in your bag right now.
Describe a time you didn't have enough time for a task.
Write a formal email explaining why you don't have a document.
Reflect on a situation where you had no choice.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the blank.

من پول ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ندارم
Nadāram is the negative of dāram.
Choose the correct form. Multiple Choice

او وقت ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ندارد
Ou requires the third person singular.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

من na دارم.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: nadāram
Prefix must be attached.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

Arrange the words in the correct order:

All words placed

Click words above to build the sentence

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: من پول ندارم
Standard SOV order.
Translate to Persian. Translation

I don't have a car.

Answer starts with: من ...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: من ماشین ندارم
Correct negation.
Conjugate for 'They'. Conjugation Drill

They don't have.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ندارند
Ānhā requires -and ending.
Match the subject to the verb. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: نداریم
Mā requires -im ending.
Build a sentence. Sentence Building

Use 'nadāram' and 'vaqt'.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: من وقت ندارم
Correct syntax.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the blank.

من پول ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ندارم
Nadāram is the negative of dāram.
Choose the correct form. Multiple Choice

او وقت ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ندارد
Ou requires the third person singular.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

من na دارم.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: nadāram
Prefix must be attached.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

ندارم / من / پول

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: من پول ندارم
Standard SOV order.
Translate to Persian. Translation

I don't have a car.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: من ماشین ندارم
Correct negation.
Conjugate for 'They'. Conjugation Drill

They don't have.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ندارند
Ānhā requires -and ending.
Match the subject to the verb. Match Pairs

Mā (We) -> ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: نداریم
Mā requires -im ending.
Build a sentence. Sentence Building

Use 'nadāram' and 'vaqt'.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: من وقت ندارم
Correct syntax.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

12 exercises
Complete the sentence. Fill in the Blank

Shomā chera ghazā ___? (Why don't you have food?)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: nadārin
Arrange the words to form a correct sentence. Sentence Reorder

nadāram / Man / vaqt / hich.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Man hich vaqt nadāram.
Select the correct negation. Multiple Choice

To (You) don't have a book.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: To ketāb nadāri.
Match the pronoun to the correct verb form. Match Pairs

Match correctly.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["nad\u0101ram","nad\u0101re","nad\u0101rim","nad\u0101ran"]
Fix the error. Error Correction

Ānhā khāne namidārand.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ānhā khāne nadārand.
Translate 'I don't have internet' to Persian. Translation

I don't have internet.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Internet nadāram.
Complete for 'We'. Fill in the Blank

Mā emshab barnāme ___ (We don't have a plan tonight).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: nadārim
Which is the Spoken/Colloquial form? Multiple Choice

Formal: Nadārad. Spoken: ???

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Nadāre
Identify the wrong word. Error Correction

To doost-e khoob namidāri.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: nadāri
Fill in the blank. Fill in the Blank

Man aslan ___ (I don't have [it] at all).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: nadāram
Unscramble the sentence. Sentence Reorder

nadāre / Ou / māshin.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ou māshin nadāre.
Translate 'You (plural) don't have homework.' Translation

You (plural) don't have homework.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Taklif nadārid.

Score: /12

FAQ (8)

No, it must be a prefix.

It is neutral and used in all settings.

Use 'nadāshtam'.

No, Persian verbs don't change for gender.

Yes, e.g., 'I don't have patience'.

It depends on the subject.

Yes, it is used everywhere.

No, use 'nist' for people.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

Sign up free to practice

In Other Languages

Spanish high

No tengo

Spanish uses a separate word 'no', Persian uses a prefix.

French moderate

Je n'ai pas

Persian is a single prefix.

German low

Ich habe nicht

Word order is completely different.

Japanese partial

Motte inai

Persian uses a prefix.

Arabic moderate

La amliku

Arabic is a separate particle.

Chinese high

Meiyou

Chinese is a separate word.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Saying 'Is Not' in Persian: The Power of `nist` (-am, -i, -ast)
Next
Saying "Didn't": Past Tense Negation (na-)

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