Language/Panjabi/Grammar/Negation
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As a Panjabi language teacher with 20 years of experience, I know the importance of learning how to negate sentences in order to communicate effectively. In this lesson, you will learn how to negate sentences and use negative words like no, not, and never in Panjabi.
After mastering this lesson, these related pages might interest you: Likes and Dislikes & Conditional Mood.
Negating Sentences
Negating a sentence in Panjabi requires the use of negative words. Some common negative words in Panjabi are "nahin," "nai," "naho," and "nahi." These words are often used interchangeably, but "nahin" is the most commonly used.
To negate a sentence, simply add the negative word before the verb. For example:
- "Main Punjab ton nahi aa raha" (I am not coming from Punjab)
- "Tusi uth nahin rahe ho" (You are not waking up)
- "Wo kitab nahi padh raha hai" (He is not reading the book)
It's important to note that in Panjabi, sometimes the verb ending changes when negating a sentence. Here are a few examples:
- "Tu kha rahi hai (You are eating) becomes "Tu kha nahi rahi hai" (You are not eating)
- "Main Ja raha hoon" (I am going) becomes "Main nahi ja raha hoon" (I am not going)
Negative Words
In addition to the negative words mentioned above, there are a few other negative words you may come across in Panjabi.
- "Kade nahi" or "kadd nahi" means "never." For example: "Main kadd nahi piya" (I never drank)
- "Duss" or "Na" both mean "no." For example: "Duss ki haal hai?" (Is everything okay?) or "Na main nai mannda" (No, I don't agree)
It's important to note that while these words may seem interchangeable, their usage depends on the context of the sentence.
Using Negative Words with Verbs
When negating a verb in Panjabi, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, the negative word should always come before the verb. Secondly, depending on the verb, the ending may need to be changed. Here are a few examples:
| Panjabi | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Main likh raha hoon | mae-l-ikh ra-haa hu | I am writing |
| Main likh nahi raha hoon | mae-l-ikh na-hi ra-haa hu | I am not writing |
| Tusi ateet vich ja rahe ho | tu-si aa-teet vi-ch ja ra-he hu | You are going to the past |
| Tusi ateet vich nahi ja rahe ho | tu-si aa-teet vi-ch na-hi ja ra-he hu | You are not going to the past |
As you can see in the examples above, the verb ending changes when negating the sentence.
Using Negative Words with Pronouns
When negating a sentence with a pronoun, it's important to know the proper placement of the negative word. The negative word should come before the verb, but after the pronoun. For example:
- "Tusi kitab nahi padh rahe ho" (You are not reading the book)
- "Main Punjab ton nahi aa raha" (I am not coming from Punjab)
Double Negatives
In some languages, double negatives are acceptable, but in Panjabi, using a double negative is considered improper grammar. Instead, it's recommended to use a single negative word to negate a sentence. For example:
- "Main kade nahi piya" (I never drank)
- "Main kisi nu kade na dhokha dena" (I never deceive anyone)
Conclusion
In this lesson, you learned how to negate sentences and use negative words in Panjabi. Remember to place the negative word before the verb, and keep in mind that the verb ending may need to be changed depending on the sentence. Avoid using double negatives, and use single negative words to negate a sentence. With this knowledge, you will be able to effectively communicate in Panjabi and form negative sentences.
Finished this lesson? Check out these related lessons: Nouns and Pronouns & Conjunctions.
Other Lessons
- How to Use Be
- Subject Object Verb Order
- Likes and Dislikes
- Gender
- Gurmukhi Alphabet
- Nouns
- Present Tense
- Nouns and Pronouns
- Conditional Mood
- Adjectives and Adverbs
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