§ Don't Confuse with Single 'نه'
The most common mistake learners make is confusing the repetitive structure of 'نه...نه' (neither...nor) with a single 'نه' which simply means 'no'. While both use the same word, their grammatical functions and meanings are entirely different. 'نه' on its own is an answer to a yes/no question. 'نه...نه' is a conjunction that connects two negative ideas.
- DEFINITION
- Neither...nor; not one thing or the other.
تو چای میخوری؟ نه.
You want tea? No.
نه چای میخواهم نه قهوه.
I want neither tea nor coffee.
§ Using It with Affirmative Verbs
Another common error is to use 'نه...نه' with verbs that are already in the negative form. In Persian, when you use 'نه...نه', the verbs should be in their affirmative (positive) form because the 'نه...نه' itself carries the negative meaning for both parts of the sentence. Adding another negative to the verb makes the sentence grammatically incorrect and confusing.
Incorrect:
نه میروم نه نمیمانم.
Neither I don't go nor I don't stay. (Literally, but incorrect in meaning)
Correct:
نه میروم نه میمانم.
I neither go nor stay.
§ Placement of 'نه'
The 'نه' particles should generally precede the elements they are negating. While Persian word order can be flexible, for clarity and natural flow, it's best to place 'نه' directly before the noun, adjective, or verb phrase it refers to.
When negating two nouns:
نه دوست دارم نه دشمن.
I have neither a friend nor an enemy.
When negating two verbs:
نه میخورد نه مینوشید.
He neither ate nor drank.
§ Omitting the Second 'نه'
Occasionally, learners might omit the second 'نه' in the pair, especially when the sentence feels complete after the first negation. However, for 'نه...نه' to function as 'neither...nor', both instances of 'نه' are essential to establish the correlative conjunction. Omitting the second 'نه' would leave the sentence grammatically incomplete or alter its meaning.
Incorrect:
نه پول دارم.
I have no money. (This is a single negation, not 'neither...nor')
Correct:
نه پول دارم نه وقت.
I have neither money nor time.
How Formal Is It?
"نه این و نه آن گزینه برای ما مناسب نیستند."
"نه این نه اون مدل ماشین رو دوست ندارم."
"نه این نه اون به درد نمیخورن."
"نه مامان نه بابا، هیچکدوم بستنی نخریدن."
"هیچی از اون حرفا باور نکردم."
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing the 'e' in 'نه' like a long 'e' in 'see'
- Not emphasizing the short 'a' sound in 'نه'
Difficulty Rating
short
short
short
short
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
The structure نه…نه (na…na) is used to negate two or more items, similar to “neither…nor” in English.
نه چای میخورم نه قهوه. (na chây mixoram na qahve.) - I drink neither tea nor coffee.
When نه…نه negates verbs, the verbs themselves are usually in the affirmative, as the negation is carried by the نه…نه structure.
او نه میآید نه زنگ میزند. (u na mi-âyad na zang mi-zanad.) - He neither comes nor calls.
It can be used with nouns, adjectives, or adverbs.
نه بزرگ است نه کوچک. (na bozorg ast na kuchek.) - It is neither big nor small.
You can use more than two instances of نه to negate a list of items.
نه سیب، نه پرتقال، نه موز دوست دارم. (na sib, na porteqâl, na mooz dust dâram.) - I like neither apples, nor oranges, nor bananas.
When نه…نه is used at the beginning of a sentence to introduce two negated clauses, the clauses that follow will often use simple affirmative verbs.
نه این کار را میکنم نه آن کار را. (na in kâr râ mi-konam na ân kâr râ.) - I will do neither this work nor that work.
Examples by Level
نه درس خواندهام نه کار کردهام؛ تمام روز بیکار بودهام.
I have neither studied nor worked; I have been idle all day.
Used with two verbs.
نه این کتاب را دوست دارم نه آن یکی را.
I like neither this book nor that one.
Used with two nouns.
او نه با من حرف میزند نه با تو.
He speaks neither to me nor to you.
Used with two pronouns.
نه گرسنه هستم نه تشنه؛ فقط خستهام.
I am neither hungry nor thirsty; I am just tired.
Used with two adjectives.
این راه نه کوتاه است نه امن.
This road is neither short nor safe.
Used with two adjectives.
نه به او اعتماد دارم نه به حرفهایش.
I trust neither him nor his words.
Used with two nouns (indirect objects).
او نه دیروز آمد نه امروز.
He came neither yesterday nor today.
Used with two adverbs of time.
این لباس نه گران است نه ارزان، قیمتش مناسب است.
This dress is neither expensive nor cheap, its price is reasonable.
Used with two adjectives.
Idioms & Expressions
"نه این و نه آن"
Neither this nor that
من نه این کتاب را می خوانم و نه آن. (Man nah in ketāb rā mikhānam va nah ān.) - I'm reading neither this book nor that one.
neutral"نه حرفش را بزن"
Don't even mention it / Not a word about it
اوضاع خراب است، نه حرفش را بزن. (Oza' kharāb ast, nah harfash rā bezan.) - The situation is bad, don't even mention it.
informal"نه شیر می خواد نه شکر"
Doesn't need milk or sugar / It's good as is
این چای خودش خوب است، نه شیر می خواد نه شکر. (In chāy khodesh khub ast, nah shir mikhād nah shekar.) - This tea is good on its own, it doesn't need milk or sugar.
informal"نه سیخ بسوزه نه کباب"
Neither the skewer burns nor the kebab / To find a middle ground
باید جوری رفتار کنیم که نه سیخ بسوزه نه کباب. (Bāyad juri raftār konim keh nah sikh besuzeh nah kabāb.) - We should act in a way that neither the skewer burns nor the kebab (find a middle ground).
neutral"نه سر دارد نه ته"
Has neither head nor tail / Makes no sense
حرف هایش نه سر دارد نه ته. (Harfhāyesh nah sar dārad nah tah.) - His words make no sense.
informal"نه به دار است و نه به بار"
Neither on the gallows nor fruitful / Neither here nor there, useless
این پیشنهاد نه به دار است و نه به بار. (In pishnahād nah beh dār ast va nah beh bār.) - This suggestion is neither here nor there (useless).
neutral"نه از تاک نشان ماند نه از تاک نشان"
Neither a sign of the vine nor a trace of the vineyard / Utterly destroyed, no trace left
بعد از سیل، از خانه اش نه از تاک نشان ماند نه از تاک نشان. (Ba'd az seyl, az khāneash nah az tāk neshān mānd nah az tāk neshān.) - After the flood, no trace of his house was left.
formal"نه پای رفتن دارم نه میل ماندن"
I have neither the strength to go nor the desire to stay
از این وضعیت خسته ام، نه پای رفتن دارم نه میل ماندن. (Az in vaz'iyat khasteam, nah pāy raftan dāram nah meyl māndan.) - I'm tired of this situation, I have neither the strength to go nor the desire to stay.
neutral"نه کاری به کار کسی داشتن"
To not interfere with anyone's business
او همیشه نه کاری به کار کسی دارد. (U hamishe nah kāri beh kār-e kasi dārad.) - He never interferes with anyone's business.
neutral"نه این می تونه نه اون"
Neither this one can nor that one
برای حل این مشکل، نه این می تونه نه اون. (Barāye hall-e in moshkel, nah in mituneh nah un.) - To solve this problem, neither this one can nor that one.
informalFrequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYou use "نه...نه" to express that something is neither one thing nor the other. For example: نه غذا خوب بود نه رستوران. (Neither the food was good nor the restaurant.)
It's quite versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It's a common phrase in everyday conversation as well as written Persian.
Yes, you can. It's typically used to negate two nouns, adjectives, or even clauses. For instance: نه خوشحالم نه ناراحت. (I am neither happy nor sad.)
"نه...نه" emphasizes the exclusion of both options more strongly. "و نه" (and not) can connect two negated items, but "نه...نه" creates a clearer 'neither/nor' structure. Think of it as a set phrase.
Generally, no, the order doesn't change the meaning. You can say نه ایکس نه ایگرگ or نه ایگرگ نه ایکس, and it will convey the same message of neither X nor Y.
A common mistake is trying to use it with positive verbs. Remember, it's a negative construction. You wouldn't say 'I like neither coffee nor tea' by trying to use positive verbs with it. The 'نه' itself handles the negation.
Yes, but indirectly. You negate the verb for each part. For example: نه میرود نه میماند. (He neither goes nor stays.)
Not really a shorter way that carries the exact same emphasis. "نه...نه" is the standard and most natural way to express this concept in Persian.
Yes, it specifically refers to negating two distinct things, actions, or qualities. If you want to negate more than two, you would typically repeat "نه" before each item, although "نه...نه" is most common for two.
The direct English equivalent is 'neither...nor'. They function in very similar ways to negate two options.
Test Yourself 66 questions
من ___ سیب ___ پرتقال دوست ندارم.
To say 'neither...nor', you use 'نه...نه'. So 'نه سیب نه پرتقال' means 'neither apple nor orange'.
او ___ چای ___ قهوه می نوشد.
'نه چای نه قهوه' means 'neither tea nor coffee'.
من امروز ___ کار می کنم ___ درس می خوانم.
'نه کار می کنم نه درس می خوانم' means 'I neither work nor study'.
آنها ___ بزرگ ___ کوچک هستند.
'نه بزرگ نه کوچک' means 'neither big nor small'.
این کتاب ___ جدید ___ قدیمی است.
'نه جدید نه قدیمی' means 'neither new nor old'.
شما ___ اینجا هستید ___ آنجا.
'نه اینجا نه آنجا' means 'neither here nor there'.
Write a short sentence saying you like neither apples nor oranges.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
من نه سیب دوست دارم نه پرتقال.
Write a simple sentence indicating that someone is neither here nor there.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
او نه اینجاست نه آنجا.
Write a sentence saying you eat neither meat nor fish.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
من نه گوشت می خورم نه ماهی.
What does this person like?
Read this passage:
من نه چای دوست دارم نه قهوه. من فقط آب دوست دارم.
What does this person like?
The passage states 'من فقط آب دوست دارم' which means 'I only like water'.
The passage states 'من فقط آب دوست دارم' which means 'I only like water'.
What does 'او نه کتاب می خواند نه تلویزیون تماشا می کند' mean?
Read this passage:
او نه کتاب می خواند نه تلویزیون تماشا می کند. او فقط بازی می کند.
What does 'او نه کتاب می خواند نه تلویزیون تماشا می کند' mean?
The phrase 'نه...نه' indicates 'neither...nor'.
The phrase 'نه...نه' indicates 'neither...nor'.
Where is this person?
Read this passage:
من نه مدرسه می روم نه کار می کنم. من در خانه هستم.
Where is this person?
The last sentence 'من در خانه هستم' means 'I am at home'.
The last sentence 'من در خانه هستم' means 'I am at home'.
Choose the correct translation for 'نه چای نه قهوه'.
'نه...نه' means 'neither...nor'.
Which sentence correctly uses 'نه...نه' to say 'Neither he nor she came'?
The structure 'نه (subject) نه (subject) (verb)' is used for 'neither...nor'.
If someone says 'نه سیب نه پرتقال دوست دارم', what do they like?
'نه...نه' negates both options presented.
The phrase 'نه...نه' means 'both...and'.
'نه...نه' means 'neither...nor'.
In Persian, 'نه آب نه نان' means 'neither water nor bread'.
This is a direct application of 'نه...نه' meaning 'neither...nor'.
You can use 'نه...نه' to express a choice between two things, like 'either...or'.
'نه...نه' expresses negation of both options, not a choice.
What does the speaker not drink?
Where did they not go?
Who did not come?
Read this aloud:
من نه سیب دوست دارم نه پرتقال.
Focus: نه...نه (na...na)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
امروز نه باران میبارد نه آفتاب است.
Focus: نه...نه (na...na)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
او نه درس میخواند نه کار میکند.
Focus: نه...نه (na...na)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Write two sentences using 'نه...نه' to describe things you neither like nor dislike.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
من نه سیب دوست دارم نه پرتقال. نه گرم دوست دارم نه سرد.
Imagine you are at a restaurant. Write a sentence using 'نه...نه' to say you want neither pizza nor pasta.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
من نه پیتزا می خواهم نه پاستا.
Write a sentence using 'نه...نه' to talk about two activities you will not do today.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
امروز نه به پارک می روم نه به سینما می روم.
What does the person want to do?
Read this passage:
من نه گرسنه ام نه تشنه. فقط می خواهم بخوابم. امروز نه کار کردم نه درس خواندم.
What does the person want to do?
The passage says 'فقط می خواهم بخوابم' which means 'I just want to sleep'.
The passage says 'فقط می خواهم بخوابم' which means 'I just want to sleep'.
What did 'he/she' do?
Read this passage:
او نه به تلفن جواب داد نه پیام فرستاد. من نمی دانم او کجاست.
What did 'he/she' do?
The sentence 'او نه به تلفن جواب داد نه پیام فرستاد' translates to 'He/She neither answered the phone nor sent a message'.
The sentence 'او نه به تلفن جواب داد نه پیام فرستاد' translates to 'He/She neither answered the phone nor sent a message'.
What is true about the clothes?
Read this passage:
این لباس نه بزرگ است نه کوچک. برای من خیلی خوب است.
What is true about the clothes?
The passage states 'این لباس نه بزرگ است نه کوچک', meaning 'This dress is neither big nor small'.
The passage states 'این لباس نه بزرگ است نه کوچک', meaning 'This dress is neither big nor small'.
This sentence uses 'نه...و نه...' to express 'neither...nor'. The structure is 'Subject نه Item1 Verb و نه Item2 Verb'.
This sentence also uses 'نه...و نه...' to indicate 'neither...nor'. The structure is 'Subject نه Language1 Verb و نه Language2 Verb'.
This sentence demonstrates 'نه...و نه...' for actions: 'Subject نه Action1 Verb و نه Action2 Verb'.
Choose the correct translation for 'نه باران می بارد و نه آفتاب می تابد.'
The phrase 'نه... و نه...' translates to 'neither... nor...'.
Which sentence uses 'نه... نه' correctly?
The correct structure for 'neither... nor...' is 'نه [first item] نه [second item]'. In this case, 'او نه چای مینوشد نه قهوه' (He drinks neither tea nor coffee).
Complete the sentence: 'او ____ خوشحال است ____ ناراحت.' (He is neither happy nor sad.)
To express 'neither... nor...', you use 'نه... نه'.
The sentence 'نه من پول دارم و نه زمان' means 'I have both money and time.'
The phrase 'نه... و نه...' means 'neither... nor...', so the sentence means 'I have neither money nor time.'
'نه اینجا و نه آنجا' means 'neither here nor there.'
This is a direct translation of the phrase, meaning 'neither here nor there.'
You can use 'نه...نه' to talk about having two options and choosing only one of them.
'نه...نه' indicates that neither of the options is true or chosen. To choose one of two options, you would typically use 'یا... یا...' (either... or...).
He didn't come, nor did his friend.
I am neither hungry nor thirsty.
He neither watches TV nor listens to the radio.
Read this aloud:
نه این کتاب را خواندهام، نه آن کتاب را.
Focus: نه این... نه آن
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
او نه قهوه دوست دارد و نه چای.
Focus: نه قهوه... نه چای
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
نه پول دارم و نه وقت.
Focus: نه پول... نه وقت
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
This sentence means 'He drinks neither tea nor coffee.' The structure 'نه... نه' is used to negate two options.
This sentence means 'I neither read a book nor watched a movie.' The 'نه... نه' structure connects the two negated actions.
This sentence means 'They have neither money nor time.' 'نه... نه' negates both possessions.
او __ انگلیسی صحبت می کند __ فرانسوی؛ هر دو را بلد است.
The sentence implies that the person speaks both English and French, so 'neither...nor' is appropriate to state they don't speak *only* one or the other. (He speaks neither English nor French; he knows both.)
برای سفر به اروپا، او __ پول کافی دارد __ وقت آزاد.
The sentence states a lack of both money and free time, making 'neither...nor' the correct choice. (For a trip to Europe, he has neither enough money nor free time.)
تصمیم او __ منطقی بود __ احساسی؛ کاملاً غیرقابل پیش بینی بود.
The decision was neither logical nor emotional, indicating it was unpredictable. (His decision was neither logical nor emotional; it was completely unpredictable.)
او __ به حرف من گوش داد __ به توصیه دوستانش.
The sentence implies that he did not listen to either my words or his friends' advice. (He listened neither to my words nor to his friends' advice.)
این مشکل __ با پول حل می شود __ با قدرت.
The problem cannot be solved by money or power, requiring 'neither...nor'. (This problem will be solved neither by money nor by power.)
من __ به فوتبال علاقه دارم __ به والیبال؛ ورزش های فردی را ترجیح می دهم.
The speaker prefers individual sports, meaning they are not interested in either football or volleyball. (I am interested neither in football nor in volleyball; I prefer individual sports.)
Choose the correct translation for the phrase: نه درس خوانده نه کار کرده.
«نه...نه» is used to indicate that neither of the two actions or states happened.
Which of the following sentences correctly uses «نه...نه»?
«نه...نه» is used to express 'neither...nor'. The correct structure is 'نه [noun/verb] نه [noun/verb]'.
Complete the sentence: او _______ پول دارد ______ وقت.
The phrase 'نه...نه' is used to convey 'neither...nor'. So, 'He has neither money nor time.'
The sentence 'نه گرم است نه سرد' means 'It is neither hot nor cold.'
The phrase «نه...نه» translates directly to 'neither...nor'.
The phrase «نه...نه» can be used to express a choice between two options.
«نه...نه» expresses the absence of both options, not a choice between them. 'Either...or' would be «یا...یا» for choice.
In the sentence 'نه او آمد نه زنگ زد', it means 'He came but did not call.'
The sentence means 'He neither came nor called.' «نه...نه» indicates that both actions did not occur.
/ 66 correct
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