Three negators: ar (simple not), ver (cannot), nu (don't! prohibitive).
I can choose between ar, ver and nu to say no, can't and don't.
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
არ ვიცი.
I don't know.
ვერ მოვდივარ, ვმუშაობ.
I can't come, I'm working.
ნუ გეშინია!
Don't be afraid!
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
Georgian splits "not" into three words. არ is the neutral negation: არ ვიცი (I don't know). ვერ means inability - "can't even if I want to": ვერ ვხედავ (I can't see). ნუ negates commands: ნუ წახვალ! (Don't go!).
The choice between არ and ვერ changes the message: არ მოვდივარ = I'm not coming (my decision); ვერ მოვდივარ = I can't come (circumstances).
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises
Practice ExercisesUsing არ everywhere - Georgians hear refusal where you meant inability (use ვერ). Negating imperatives with არ - prohibitions take ნუ. With negative pronouns the bare form is the default: არავინ მოვიდა (nobody came). A doubled არ (არავინ არ მოვიდა) is possible for emphasis but never required - do not transfer the obligatory Slavic double negation.
Wrong negator choice (ar/ver/nu)
Contrast არ მოვდივარ vs ვერ მოვდივარ in dialogues.
არ ვიცი.
I don't know.
არ = simple negation before the verb.
ვერ მოვდივარ, ვმუშაობ.
I can't come, I'm working.
ვერ = inability; using არ here would sound like refusal.
ნუ გეშინია!
Don't be afraid!
ნუ negates commands and requests.
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises