French word

ne

Pronunciation

IPA/nə/

Meaning

  • adverbnot

Example

Je ne mange pas de viande.

I don't eat meat.

Illustration for ne (not)

More examples

Elle ne comprend pas la question.

She does not understand the question.

Core concept

A small negative marker stands before the verb and helps turn the whole clause toward negation with words such as pas or jamais.

Common phrases

  • ne pas

    not

Similar words

pas: A negative adverb used with a verb to mean that an action does not occur.
jamais: A negative adverb meaning never or not even once.
plus: A negative adverb showing that something no longer happens or continues.

Definition in French

Particule de négation placée devant le verbe et utilisée avec pas, jamais, plus, rien, etc., pour rendre une phrase négative.

Word origin

French ne developed from Latin non through Old French, with the original form shortened as it became a regular negative marker.

Usage tips

  • In careful writing, ne normally appears with pas, but it is often omitted in informal speech, as in Je sais pas.

Word lists with this word