hanamaru
Say a verb does not happen (plain negative)
Vない is the plain negative of a verb, saying it does not or will not happen.
JLPTN5
[verb negative stem] + ない~ nai
do/does not [verb] (plain speech)
Example Sentences
I need to go to the dentist
I don't have enough money
The ない form is the plain (casual) negative of a verb and the foundation for many other grammar patterns. From it you build forms like ないで (without doing), なくて, and なければならない (must do). Learning how each verb group changes before ない is an important first step toward those patterns.
Conjugation
食べる→食べない
ichidan
飲む→飲まない
godan
行く→行かない
godan
する→しない
irregular
Tips and Common Traps
Hana· Key point
Learning ない early pays off fast — it unlocks a whole family of patterns like 〜なくてもいい (you don't have to) and 〜なければならない (you must).
Maru· Common trap
U-verbs ending in う are the tricky ones — the negative stem uses わ, not あ: 買う→買わない (not buy), not 買あない.