Language/Bengali/Grammar/Negation

Bengali Grammar - Negation

Hi Bengali learners! 😊
In this lesson, we are going to take a look at negation in Bengali Grammar. Negation is used to express negation or denial. It is an essential part of the Bengali language, and it helps to convey various meanings. As a Bengali language learner, it is crucial to learn the various rules of negation in Bengali.

Finish this lesson and explore these related pages: Pronouns, Plurals, Subject and Object & Directional Prepositions.

Negation in Bengali

Negation or denying a sentence can be done in various ways in Bengali. Unlike English, Bengali has a unique way of expressing negation. In Bengali, a sentence's negation is conveyed by adding a word called "না (Na)" at the end of the sentence. The word "না (Na)" can be translated into English as "not."

Let's take an example:

• আমি খাব (Ami khabo) - I will eat.
• আমি খাব না (Ami khabo na) - I will not eat.

As you can see, the word "না (Na)" is added to the end of the sentence to convey negation. This rule applies to all Bengali sentences. When negating a sentence, be sure to add "না (Na)" at the end.

Different Types of Negation

There are two different types of negation in Bengali grammar:

অসম্ভব নেগেশন (Asombôb Negêshôn) - Impossible Negation

The Impossible negation is used when something is declared as impossible or when something is false. Impossible negation is created using the word "না (Na)" added to the sentence itself. The word "না (Na)" is added to the verb or adjective that is being negated.

Let's take an example:

• চারপাশে পানি নেই (Chôropashi pani nei) - There is no water around.
• চারপাশে পানি নাই (Chôropashi pani nai) - It is impossible that there is no water around.

As you can see, the word "নাই (Nai)" is used to convey impossible negation in Bengali.

ব্যবহৃত নেগেশন (Byôbhôrôt Negêshôn) - Usual Negation

The usual negation is used when something is declared as usual or customary. Usual negation is created using the word "না (Na)" added to the sentence's end, just like in English.

Let's take an example:

• সকালে তিনি ঘুমাবেন না (Shokale tini ghôman na) - He will not sleep in the morning.
• তিনি সকালে ঘুমাবেন (Tini shokale ghôman ben) - He will sleep in the morning, which is usual.

As you can see, the word "না (Na)" is used to convey usual negation in Bengali.

Negation with Indefinite Pronouns

In Bengali Grammar, negation is used with indefinite pronouns. Indefinite pronouns are pronouns that do not refer to a particular person or thing. In Bengali, indefinite pronouns such as "কেউ (Keu)," "কোনো (Kôno)," and "কিছু (Kichu)" are negated by adding the word "না (Na)" at the end of the sentence.

Let's take an example:

• কেউ আসেনি (Keu asheni) - Nobody came.
• কেউ আসেনা (Keu ashena) - Somebody came.

As you can see, the indefinite pronoun "কেউ (Keu)" is negated by adding the word "না (Na)" at the end of the sentence.

Practice Dialogue

• Person 1: তোমার ছেলেটা খেতে পছন্দ করে না? (Tomar chhelete khetey pochondo kore na?) (Don't your son like to eat?)
• Person 2: না, সে খেতে ভালোবাসে না। (Na, se khetey valobashe na.) (No, he doesn't like to eat.)

Conclusion

In conclusion, negation is an essential part of Bengali Grammar. It helps to convey various meanings and is used in all Bengali sentences. As a Bengali learner, you should practice negation to improve your language skills. To improve your Bengali grammar, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!

Sources

• Negation patterns in Bengali
• Negation Patterns in Bengali

With this lesson finished, you may want to explore these additional pages: Bengali Grammar → Adverbs → Adverbial Phrases, Drinks, How to Use Have & Subordinating Conjunctions.

Other Lessons

• Conditional Mood
• How to Use Be
• Nouns
• Plurals
• Pronouns
• How to Use Have
• Give your Opinion
• Future Tense
• Questions