GRAMMAR
う・動詞・ない形
u-verbs (negative casual)
Explanation
NOTE
To make a casual negative sentence with u-verbs, you change the final u sound to the corresponding a sound, then add ない.
NOTE
For example: く becomes か, む becomes ま, す becomes さ, etc. The one exception is verbs ending in う — they become わ (not あ).
買う → 買わない
to buy → don't buy
う becomes わ, not あ
STRUCTURE
V辞
ない今日は行かない。
Kyō wa ikanai.
I don't go today.
水を飲まない。
Mizu o nomanai.
I don't drink water.
本を読まない。
Hon o yomanai.
I don't read books.
Example sentences
今日、学校へ行かない。
I won't go to school today.
私はお酒を飲まない。
I don't drink alcohol.
彼は新聞を読まない。
He doesn't read newspapers.
Practice exercises
1
肉を食べるけど、魚は食べない。
I eat meat, but I don't eat fish.
Answer
ない
2
友達に会わない。
I don't meet my friend.
Answer
ない
3
お酒を飲まない。
I don't drink alcohol.
Answer
ない
4
あの店では何も買わない。
I don't buy anything at that store.
Answer
ない
5
夜おそくまで音楽を聞かないようにしている。
I try not to listen to music until late at night.
Answer
ない
6
今日は行かない。
I don't go today.
Answer
ない
7
約束の時間に友達が来なくて、一時間待たないことにした。
My friend didn't come at the promised time, so I decided not to wait an hour.
Answer
ない
8
本を読まない。
I don't read books.
Answer
ない