Understanding Negation in Română
In Romanian, just like in English, we use negation to say 'no' or to indicate that something is not happening. It's like when you shake your head to say 'no.' In Romanian, we do this by using special words.
Basic Negation Word: 'Nu'
The most important word to know for negation in Romanian is 'nu.' It's like saying 'not' or 'no.' You put 'nu' before the verb to show that something is not happening.
Examples
- Nu vreau să merg. (I do not want to go.)
- Nu este acasă. (He/She is not home.)
- Nu am mâncat. (I did not eat.)
Using 'Nici' for Emphasis
Sometimes, we want to say 'not even' or emphasize the negation. In Romanian, we use the word 'nici' for this. It helps to make the negation stronger.
Examples
- Nici eu nu știu. (Not even I know.)
- Nici măcar nu a sunat. (Not even called.)
- Nici unul nu a venit. (None came.)
Important Points
- 'Nu' is used before verbs to make them negative.
- 'Nici' can be used to emphasize negation or to mean 'not even.'
In Romanian, it's okay to use two negative words in the same sentence. This is called double negation. It makes the sentence stronger, like saying 'I don't know nothing' in English, but it's correct in Romanian.
Examples
- Nu văd nimic. (I do not see anything.)
- Nu am niciun ban. (I do not have any money.)
- Nu a spus nimănui. (He/She did not tell anyone.)
Important Points
- Forgetting to put 'nu' before the verb.
- Confusing 'nici' with 'nu' when emphasizing negation.
- Thinking double negation is wrong—it is correct in Romanian!
By remembering these simple rules, you can easily use negation in Romanian. It's just like saying 'no' in a different way!