Negation with 'nu'
Negation with 'nu' before verb
Can negate sentences with 'nu'
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
Nu vorbesc românește, dar înțeleg puțin.
I don't speak Romanian, but I understand a little.
Nu știu nimic despre asta.
I don't know anything about that.
Ei nu sunt acasă și ea nu are cheile.
They are not home and she doesn't have the keys.
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
Simple negation: 'nu' before verb. Double negatives are correct!
Double negatives are correct in Romanian, unlike English.
Common Error Patterns
Omitting 'nu' in negative sentences
Always put 'nu' directly before the verb: 'Nu vorbesc', 'Nu am'.
Avoiding double negatives as in English
Double negatives are REQUIRED: 'Nu știu nimic', not *'Nu știu ceva'.
Nu vorbesc românește, dar înțeleg puțin.
I don't speak Romanian, but I understand a little.
'Nu' before verb: 'Nu vorbesc'. No auxiliary needed (unlike English 'don't').
Nu știu nimic despre asta.
I don't know anything about that.
Double negative: 'nu' + 'nimic'. This is CORRECT in Romanian! 'Nu știu nimic' ≠ 'I know something'.
Ei nu sunt acasă și ea nu are cheile.
They are not home and she doesn't have the keys.
'Nu' before each verb. 'Cheile' = cheie + le (the keys, with postposed article).
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises