5Module 2
Negation
A Negação
Key Concept
Cantonese Speaker Tip
好熟悉！ 廣東話擺「唔」在動詞前面——「我唔係醫生」。 葡文一樣：擺 não 在動詞前面——“Eu não sou médico.”
雙重否定也有！廣東話：「唔係，我唔係」。 葡文：“Não, não sou.” 兩個 não 一起出現，完全正常！
Portuguese negation is simpler than English — there is one universal word, não, that negates any verb. Unlike English, which uses different forms (don't, doesn't, isn't, aren't), Portuguese always uses the same word in the same position: Não + [Verb]. When answering a yes/no question negatively, Portuguese uses não twice: once to answer 'no' and once to negate the verb.
Key Phrase — Try saying it!
Eu não sou médico.
The Rule: To negate any sentence, place Não + [Verb]. The word não always goes immediately before the verb.
Affirmative → Negative
I am a doctor.
I am not a doctor.
He is French.
He is not French.
We are teachers.
We are not teachers.
I am tired.
I am not tired.
She is at home.
She is not at home.
I have children.
I don't have children.
You speak German.
You don't speak German.
He lives in Lisbon.
He doesn't live in Lisbon.
We work here.
We don't work here.
They study Portuguese.
They don't study Portuguese.
Ser (to be — permanent traits)
| Pronoun | Affirmative | Negative | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eu | I am not | ||
| Tu | You are not (informal) | ||
| Ele / Ela / Você | He/She is not / You are not (formal) | ||
| Nós | We are not | ||
| Eles / Elas / Vocês | They/You (pl.) are not |
Estar (to be — temporary states)
| Pronoun | Affirmative | Negative | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eu | I am not (state) | ||
| Tu | You are not (informal, state) | ||
| Ele / Ela / Você | He/She is not / You are not (formal, state) | ||
| Nós | We are not (state) | ||
| Eles / Elas / Vocês | They/You (pl.) are not (state) |
Ter (to have)
| Pronoun | Affirmative | Negative | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eu | I don't have | ||
| Tu | You don't have (informal) | ||
| Ele / Ela / Você | He/She doesn't have / You don't have (formal) | ||
| Nós | We don't have | ||
| Eles / Elas / Vocês | They/You (pl.) don't have |
The “Double Não” Pattern
When answering a yes/no question negatively, Portuguese speakers use não twice: once to answer the question ('No'), and once to negate the verb. This is called the 'double não' pattern.
Is he French?
No, he is not French.
Are you a teacher?
No, I am not a teacher.
Is she sick?
No, she is not sick.
Do you (pl.) have a car?
No, we don't have a car.
Do you live in Porto?
No, I don't live in Porto.
Do they speak English?
No, they don't speak English.