Language/Dutch/Grammar/Negation

Dutch Grammar - Negation

Hi Dutch learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will cover the topic of negation in Dutch. Negation is the grammatical term used to indicate negation or denial. It is an essential concept in any language, and mastering it is crucial to speak Dutch correctly. The negative form is created by adding the word “niet” after the verb. For example, "ik lees niet" means "I am not reading."

Consider exploring these related pages after completing this lesson: Future Tense, Conditional Mood in Dutch, 0 to A1 Course & How to use “must” in Dutch.

Simple Negation

The most common way to create a negative sentence in Dutch is by adding "niet" after the verb. Here are some examples:

Dutch	Pronunciation	English
Ik ben hier niet	Ik ben hier niet	I am not here
Hij eet geen vis	Hij eet geen vis	He does not eat fish
Jullie spreken geen Frans	YOO-lee SPREH-ken hehn fREE-nss	You do not speak French

Negation Using "Geen"

Another way to create negative sentences in Dutch is by using the word "geen," which means "not a" or "none." Here are some examples:

Dutch	Pronunciation	English
Ik heb geen honger	Ik hehb khehn HOHn-guhr	I am not hungry
Zij heeft geen boeken	ZAY hehft khehn BOO-ken	She does not have any books
Wij hebben geen tijd	VIGH hkhehn khehn tayt	We do not have time

Negation Using "Nooit"

"Nooit" means "never" in Dutch. It is used to indicate the negation of a verb in the sense that an action will never take place. Here are some examples:

Dutch	Pronunciation	English
Ik ga nooit naar de bioscoop	Ik gha noojt naahruh duh bee-oh-skohp	I never go to the cinema
Wij eten nooit fastfood	VIGH ay-tun noojt fahst-foht	We never eat fast food
Jullie luisteren nooit naar klassieke muziek	YOO-lee LIGH-stuh-ruhn noojt naahruh KLAH-ssee-kuh moo-zayk	You never listen to classical music

Negation Using "Niemand"

"Niemand" means nobody or no one in Dutch. It is used to negate a noun. Here are some examples:

Dutch	Pronunciation	English
Er is niemand in het huis	uhr uhs nee-MUNT in hut hous	There is nobody in the house
Niemand wil met mij dansen	NEE-munt wil meht may DUN-suhn	Nobody wants to dance with me
Niemand houdt van sorry's	NEE-munt how-duh fun SORR-ees	Nobody likes apologies

Double Negation

In Dutch, double negation is correct grammar. It means that the sentence is negative, and it reinforces the negation instead of canceling it out. Here are some examples:

Dutch	Pronunciation	English
Ik heb nooit geen geld	Ik heb nooit geen geld	I never have any money (lit. I have never no money)
Hij is nergens niet	Hij is nergens niet	He is not anywhere (lit. He is nowhere not)
Wij willen nooit niks doen	VIGH wil-un noojt niiks doen	We never want to do anything (lit. We want to never nothing do)

Dialogue

Here is a dialogue so you can see the words in context:

• Person 1: Wil je naar de film gaan? (Do you want to go to the movies?)
• Person 2: Ik ga nooit naar de bioscoop, dus ik denk het niet. (I never go to the cinema, so I don't think so.)

Exercise

Translate the following sentences to Dutch:

1. She doesn't like coffee. 2. They have never been to Amsterdam. 3. I don't speak Dutch. 4. We don't want to go outside.

Sources

• Dutch Grammar • Negating sentences
• Dutch Negation: Learn How to Form Negative Sentences

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Other Lessons

• Pronouns
• Conditional Mood in Dutch
• Ablative Case in Dutch
• The Locative Case in Dutch
• How to Use Be
• Genitive Case in Dutch
• Prepositions
• Interrogative words in Dutch
• Definite Articles in Dutch
• How to Use Have