ない
ない
adjective (i-adjective)
nonexistent, not have
Conjugation
| Affirmative | Negative | |
|---|---|---|
| Present | ない | なくない |
| Past | なかった | なくなかった |
| て form | なくて | なくなくて |
| Adverbial | なく | — |
| Conditional ば | なければ | なくなければ |
| Conditional たら | なかったら | なくなかったら |
1.
nonexistent, there is no
Indicates the absence or non-existence of something. The negative counterpart of ある.
2.
to not have
Indicates that someone doesn't possess something.
USAGE:
ない is the negative form of ある (to exist/have, for inanimate things). It means "there is not" or "do not have." For animate things (people and animals), the negative of いる is いない, not ない.
FORMS:
ない conjugates as an i-adjective:
- Negative: なくない ("is it not nonexistent?")
- Te-form: なくて
- Past: なかった
WRITING:
The kanji 無い is sometimes seen, but the hiragana spelling is far more common.
Related Words
Antonym:
ある (to exist, to have)