Negation in Hebrew | How to Say 'No' and 'Not'
Negation in Hebrew is relatively simple - the word לֹא (lo - no/not) is placed before the verb to negate it. There are a few additional negation words for different contexts.
How It Works
Main negation words: 1. לֹא (lo - no/not): used before verbs and adjectives. 2. אֵין (ein - there is not/no): negates existence. 3. אַל (al - do not): used for negative commands (imperatives). 4. בְּלִי (bli - without): used before nouns. Examples: לא אוכל (lo okhel - I don't eat), אין לי כסף (ein li kesef - I have no money), אל תלך (al telekh - don't go), בלי סוכר (bli sukar - without sugar).
Example Sentences
Common Mistakes
1. Using לֹא for negative imperatives - use אַל instead: 'Don't go' is אַל תֵּלֵךְ, not לֹא תֵּלֵךְ. 2. Using יֵשׁ (there is) in negative sentences - negate with אֵין: 'There is no book' is אֵין סֵפֶר, not לֹא יֵשׁ סֵפֶר (though this is sometimes heard in spoken Hebrew). 3. Placing לֹא after the verb - in Hebrew, negation always comes before the verb.
Study Tip
The most important negation word to master first is לֹא (lo). It works in almost every situation and will serve you well in early stages. Then add אֵין (ein) for 'I have no...' / 'There is no...' and אַל (al) for 'Don't...'. Together, these three cover 95% of all negation in everyday Hebrew.