Negation
Negation with nie, double negation, and nie ma
I can negate sentences and use double negation correctly
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
Nie wiem.
I don't know.
Nikt nie wie.
Nobody knows that.
Nie ma chleba.
There is no bread.
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
Negation
Nie before the verb. Double negation required: nikt nie wie (nobody knows). Nie ma + genitive for non-existence (nie ma chleba = there's no bread).
Double negation is mandatory (nikt nie wie, not *nikt wie). Nie ma + genitive for non-existence.
Nie wiem.
I don't know.
Nie wiem — nie goes directly before the verb. Simple and consistent.
Nikt nie wie.
Nobody knows that.
Nikt nie wie — DOUBLE negation: nikt (nobody) + nie (not) + wie (knows). Both are required!
Nie ma chleba.
There is no bread.
Nie ma chleba — nie ma (there isn't) + genitive. Chleb (bread) → chleba (gen.). Used for existence and possession.
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises