～ない
Casual way to say “don’t”
You’ll be able to say you don’t do something when speaking casually with friends.
芽衣はにんじんを食べない。
mei wa ninjin o tabenai.
What do you think this sentence means?
Mei does not eat carrots.
Say “do not” in plain style
The ない-form can finish a casual negative sentence. It covers both present/habitual “don’t” and future “won’t,” depending on context.
今日は行かない。
kyou wa ikanai.
I’m not going today.
End the sentence with the ない-form
Use the verb’s ない-form without です or ます in plain casual speech.
肉は食べない。
niku wa tabenai.
I don’t eat meat.
明日は学校に行かない。
ashita wa gakkou ni ikanai.
I’m not going to school tomorrow.
今日は勉強しない。
kyou wa benkyou shinai.
I’m not studying today.
～ません vs ～ない
Two registers of the same denial. ません is polite; ない is what you say to friends and write in a diary.
Plain
今日は行かない。
kyou wa ikanai.
I’m not going today.
Casual, for people you are close to.
Polite
今日は行きません。
kyou wa ikimasen.
I’m not going today.
The same refusal, addressed politely.
朝はコーヒーを飲まない。
asa wa koohii o nomanai.
I don't drink coffee in the morning.
今日は肉を食べない。
kyou wa niku o tabenai.
I won't eat meat today.
夜はテレビを見ない。
yoru wa terebi o minai.
I don't watch TV at night.
12 more examples in the grammar path — free for a limited time.