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Negation (Zápor)

Negation in Czech is very straightforward, but it has one feature that English speakers find strange: Double Negation.

Visual Overview​

Negation Cheatsheet

1. Verbal Negation​

To negate a verb, simply add the prefix ne- to it. It is written as one word.

  • Mám (I have) → Nemám (I don't have)
  • DÄ›lám (I do) → NedÄ›lám (I don't do)
  • Spím (I sleep) → Nespím (I am not sleeping)

Exception​

The verb být (to be) in the 3rd person singular is irregular.

  • Je (He is) → Není (He is not) - Not "neje"!
  • (But: Nejsem, nejsi, nejsme... are regular).

2. Double Negation (Negative Concord)​

In Czech, if you use a negative pronoun (nobody, nothing, never), you MUST also negate the verb.

  • Nikdo nic nevidÄ›l. (Nobody saw nothing. = Nobody saw anything.)
  • Nikdy to neudÄ›lám. (I will never do it.)
  • S nikým nemluvím. (I am not talking with anyone.)

Logic: "Negative subject + Negative verb".