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Negation

Negation with nie, double negation, and nie ma

Learning Goal

I can negate sentences and use double negation correctly

Exam Skills:ECL A1 SpeakingECL A1 Writing

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

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Frequently asked questions

When is Negacja used?
Polish negation uses nie placed directly before the verb. Unlike English, Polish uses double (and triple) negation — it's required, not a mistake!
How is Negacja formed?
Nie ma = there isn't / doesn't have. Takes genitive: Nie ma chleba (There's no bread). Nie ma go tutaj (He's not here — lit. there isn't him here).
What are common mistakes with Negacja?
English speakers avoid double negation (*nikt wie instead of nikt nie wie). After negation, direct objects switch from accusative to genitive (mam kota → nie mam kota — same here, but mam książkę → nie mam książki). English speakers: Double negation feels wrong — 'nobody doesn't know' seems redundant. Must use nie with EVERY negative word. Forget accusative→genitive switch. Russian speakers: Perfect transfer — Russian uses the same double negation (никто не знает = nikt nie wie). Genitive after negation also matches (нет хлеба = nie ma chleba). Czech speakers: Same system — nikdo neví = nikt nie wie. Genitive after negation works similarly. Near-zero effort.