ない

(4 entries)
ない
Frequency:
1

Not existing; the state of something not being there or not existing.

I-AdjectiveUsually Kana

Examples

部屋に証拠は何もない。

There is no evidence in the room.

彼の名前はリストにない。

His name is not on the list.

この商品はもう在庫がない。

This product is no longer in stock.

2

Not owned; not possessed — indicating lack of possession or ownership.

I-Adjective

Examples

今、車がないので電車で行きます。

I don't have a car now, so I'll go by train.

彼はまだパスポートがない。

He still doesn't have a passport.

私は兄弟がいない。=兄弟がない(※一般的には「いない」を使う)

I have no siblings. (Usually said as 「いない」.)

3

Unique; unparalleled — indicating something extremely rare or one-of-a-kind.

I-Adjective

Examples

こんな機会はまたとない。逃すわけにはいかない。

An opportunity like this is once-in-a-lifetime. I can't miss it.

彼の才能は唯一無二で、代わりがない。

His talent is unique and irreplaceable.

これはまたとない美術品だ。

This is a priceless (one-of-a-kind) work of art.

4

Used in structures like '〜ことがない' to indicate that something does not/will not happen, or that one has no experience of it.

I-Adjective

Examples

彼が遅刻することはないと思う。

I don't think he will ever be late.

そんな失敗は二度と起こることはないだろう。

That kind of mistake will probably never happen again.

私はその映画を見たことがない。

I have never seen that movie.

5

Used after the stem of an i-adjective (〜く) to form the adjective's negative (e.g. 高くない = not expensive).

I-AdjectiveOther

Examples

このケーキは甘くない。

This cake is not sweet.

今日は寒くないから、コートは要らない。

It's not cold today, so I don't need a coat.

この問題は難しくないよ。やってみて。

This problem isn't difficult. Try it.

6

Attaches to the -te form of verbs to form '〜ていない/〜てない', indicating non-existence of a continuing state or that something has not been done.

I-AdjectiveOther

Examples

彼はまだ帰っていない。

He hasn't come back yet.

宿題、もうやってないの?

You haven't done your homework yet?

その話は聞いていないから、知らない。

I haven't heard that story, so I don't know about it.