A1BeginnerNegation · Point 7 / 40

ne + verbe + pas, n' + voyelle, pas + de + nom

To say no, wrap the verb in “ne” and “pas”.

Structure	Pattern	Meaning
ne	+ verbe + pas	the basic structure for saying no
n'	+ voyelle	“ne” shortened before a vowel
pas	+ de + nom	after the negation, the article changes to “de”

In speech, people often drop the “ne”: “Je sais pas”. In writing, keep both words.

Examples from our dialogues 5 · 4 with audio

Listen
Je ne sais pas comment faire.
I don't know how to do it.
Check The Full DialogueBuying a transit fare at a kiosk

Listen
Non, nous n'avons pas de réservation.
No, we don't have a reservation.
Check The Full DialogueArriving at the restaurant

Listen
Je n'en ai pas. Est-ce que je peux m'en procurer une ?
I don't have one. Can I get one?
Check The Full DialogueUsing a flyer special

Listen
Non, c'est la première fois. Je ne me sens pas bien depuis deux jours.
No, it's the first time. I have not been feeling well for two days.
Check The Full DialogueCalling a clinic to book an appointment

Je sais pas, je comprends pas.
I don't know, I don't understand. (spoken, “ne” dropped)

Je ne sais.Je ne sais pas.
It is “pas” that carries the negation. Without “pas” the sentence is incomplete; you may drop “ne” in speech, never “pas”.
Je n'ai pas une réservation.Je n'ai pas de réservation.
After “pas”, the article “un / une / des” becomes “de” (or “d’” before a vowel).

Asking directions, buying transit fares, travelling — the French of getting around.

These dialogues use this point. They open on the dialogue page (audio, vocabulary to save).