A2Lesson 4: Negation, Affirmation & Imperative
Portuguese negation uses "não" before the verb as the basic pattern, but unlike English, allows and often requires double or even triple negatives for grammatically correct and emphatic expression.
Basic negation: não + verb (Não falo inglês)
Double negation: não + verb + nada/ninguém/nunca
Negative words: nunca, jamais, nada, ninguém, nenhum
Double negatives are CORRECT in Portuguese
"Não" can be repeated for emphasis
Position: always before the conjugated verb
Answers: "Não" alone or verb repetition with não
Common: não...mais (no longer), não...ainda (not yet)
Portuguese negation breaks English speakers' brains because what sounds wrong in English is perfectly correct in Portuguese! Saying "Não vi nada" (literally "I didn't see nothing") is proper grammar. Master these patterns and you'll understand why Brazilians say "não" multiple times, use double negatives naturally, and express denial with various intensities. From simple "Não quero" (I don't want) to emphatic "Não, não e não!" these patterns are essential for clear communication and emotional expression.
não + verb OR não + verb + negative word OR negative word + verb
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| Affirmative | Negative | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Eu falo | Eu não falo | I don't speak |
| Ela trabalha | Ela não trabalha | She doesn't work |
| Nós vamos | Nós não vamos | We don't go |
| Eles comem | Eles não comem | They don't eat |
"Não entendo português muito bem" (I don't understand Portuguese very well)
"Ela não mora mais aqui" (She doesn't live here anymore)
"Não podemos sair hoje" (We can't go out today)
"Vocês não querem café?" (Don't you want coffee?)
"Não sei o que fazer" (I don't know what to do)
"Não vi ninguém na festa" (I didn't see anyone at the party)
"Não comprei nada no shopping" (I didn't buy anything at the mall)
"Não vou nunca mais lá" (I'm never going there again)
"Não tenho nenhum dinheiro" (I don't have any money)
When negative word comes first, no "não" needed:
Ninguém veio (Nobody came)
Nada funciona (Nothing works)
Nunca pensei nisso (I never thought of that)
Jamais esquecerei (I'll never forget)
"Nem" at the beginning = "Not even":
Nem me fale! (Don't even talk to me!)
Nem pensar! (Don't even think about it!)
Nem morto! (Not even if I were dead!)
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