Language/English/Vocabulary/Meaning-of-ain't
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AIN'T: What does it mean?
"AIN'T" is very informal (some people would say incorrect). It is used a lot both in UK and the US; you will hear it in many movies and songs. Therefore it's important to understand its use.
However it should never be used in formal or written contexts.
Meanings[edit | edit source]
Originally it is a contraction of "are" and "not" - so "ain't" means "are not".
It generally replaces the use of the verb "to be" in the present and the negative, as well as the verb "to have" in certain cases:
Examples:
- You ain't going / You ain't goin' = Your are not going
- I ain't French = I am not French
- You ain't done it = You have not done it
- I ain't done nothing = I haven't done anything (note this slang double negation)
- He ain't got a car = He doesn't have a car
Other slang contractions in English[edit | edit source]
See: https://polyglotclub.com/wiki/Language/English/Vocabulary/Slang-contractions