Negation: nem, nincs
Negation with nem; nincs/nincsenek for there is not
Can negate sentences and use nincs/nincsenek correctly
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
Nem beszélek németül.
I don't speak German.
Nincs tejünk.
We don't have milk. / There is no milk.
Nem nagy és nem szép.
It's not big and not beautiful.
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
Use nem before any verb or adjective to negate. Use nincs/nincsenek as the negative of van/vannak.
Learners use 'nem van' instead of 'nincs'. 'Nem' must go directly before the negated element.
Common Error Patterns
Using 'nem van' instead of 'nincs'
The negative of 'van' is 'nincs' (sg) and 'nincsenek' (pl). 'Nem van' is ungrammatical.
Placing 'nem' after the verb
'Nem' must come directly before the word it negates: 'Nem eszem' not 'Eszem nem'.
Nem beszélek németül.
I don't speak German.
'Nem' goes before the verb. No auxiliary verb needed.
Nincs tejünk.
We don't have milk. / There is no milk.
'Nincs' replaces 'van' in negation. Never say 'nem van'!
Nem nagy és nem szép.
It's not big and not beautiful.
'Nem' negates adjectives too. Repeat 'nem' before each adjective.
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises