〜ぬ
Formation
N2LiteraryLiterature
Meaning
Means 'not'. It is an archaic or literary version of the negative suffix '〜ない'.
Note
Primarily used in formal writing, literature, or fixed idioms (e.g., 'shiranu ga hotoke'). In modern speech, it sounds archaic or very formal. For 'suru' verbs, it becomes 'senu' (e.g., 'misezunu' is incorrect, it follows the nai-form stem).
Examples
思わぬ展開に驚いた。
I was surprised by the unexpected development.
知らぬ間に雨が降り始めていた。
It had started raining before I knew it.
そんなことは到底できぬ。
I simply cannot do such a thing.
言わぬが花という言葉がある。
There is a saying that 'silence is golden' (literally: some things are better left unsaid).
彼は何を聞いても答えぬ。
He will not answer no matter what you ask.
悪いこととは知りつつも、せぬわけにはいかない。
Even though I know it's bad, I have to do it (I cannot NOT do it).