Understanding Negation in Hindi: A Guide for English Learners
What is Negation in Hindi?
Negation in Hindi is an essential grammatical aspect that allows you to express non-existence, refusal, or denial. It's a fundamental concept that every Hindi learner needs to master early on.
Common Words for Negation in Hindi
नहीं
No
न
Not
कभी नहीं
Never
Negation in Simple Sentences
To negate a simple sentence in Hindi, you generally place the word नहीं after the subject and before the verb. For instance, मैं बाजार जा रहा हूँ (I am going to the market) becomes मैं बाजार नहीं जा रहा हूँ (I am not going to the market).
Negation with Different Tenses
Negation in different tenses requires some variation. In the past tense, for example, the negation might come after auxiliary verbs.
वह नहीं जा रहा था
He was not going
उन्होंने नहीं खाया
They did not eat
Using Double Negatives
While double negatives can sometimes confuse meaning in English, in Hindi, they often emphasize denial. For example, मैं कभी नहीं करता (I never do that).
Negation with Imperatives
To form negative imperatives in Hindi, include मत before the verb. For instance, 'Don't go' becomes मत जाओ.
Practical Examples of Negation in Hindi
Here are more examples to get a better understanding of how negation works in Hindi sentences:
मैं नहीं खा रहा हूँ
I am not eating
उसे यह पसंद नहीं है
She does not like it
हम वहाँ नहीं जाएँगे
We will not go there
Further Reading
- Hindi Negation
An overview of negation in Hindi with examples.
- Using Negation in Hindi Sentences
A guide on forming negative sentences in Hindi.
- Hindi Negation Lesson
In-depth lesson on using negation in Hindi.