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Learn how to use the basic Italian negation words 'non', 'no', 'neanche', and 'nemmeno' to form negative sentences. Understand their placement and differences to express refusal, disagreement, or emphasis. Includes practical examples and common phrases for everyday conversations in Italian.
  1. Use "non" before the verb.
  2. Use "no" for short answers.
  3. "Neanche" and "nemmeno" add negations.
Negazione (Negation)Esempio (Example)
No (No)No, aspetto l'autobus (No, I'm waiting for the bus)
Non (I have not passed the exam)Non ho passato l'esame (Not passed the exam)
Neanche (Not even)Non posso venire, neanche lui può. (I can't come, neither can he.)
Nemmeno (Not even)Nemmeno il mio amico è riuscito a trovare la casa. (Not even my friend managed to find the house.)

Exceptions!

  1. The form "neanch’io" expresses agreement with a negative sentence said by another person.

Exercise 1: La negazione: 'Non', 'No', 'Neanche', 'Nemmeno'

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

neanche, nemmeno, Neanch'io, No, non

1.
Io ... vado alla scuola oggi.
(I am not going to school today.)
2.
Noi ... aspettiamo l'autobus alla fermata.
(We do not wait for the bus at the stop.)
3.
..., non è vicino all'ospedale.
(No, it is not near the hospital.)
4.
Non posso venire, ... lui può.
(I can't come, nor can he.)
5.
Luigi non è riuscito a trovare la casa. ... ci sono riuscito.
(Luigi didn't manage to find the house. Neither did I.)
6.
Lei non ha aspettato e ... lui.
(She didn't wait and neither did he.)
7.
La biblioteca ... apre presto.
(The library does not open early.)
8.
Lui ... passa dalla banca di mattina.
(He does not go to the bank in the morning.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct solution

1. ___ posso aprire la farmacia adesso.

(___ I can't open the pharmacy now.)

2. ___, la biblioteca è chiusa oggi.

(___, the library is closed today.)

3. Non c’è il supermercato qui vicino, ___ la farmacia.

(There is no supermarket nearby, ___ the pharmacy.)

4. ___ l’ufficio postale apre il sabato.

(___ the post office opens on Saturday.)

5. ___, non lavoro sabato.

(___, I don't work on Saturday.)

6. Non posso venire stasera, ___ devo lavorare.

(I can't come tonight, ___ I have to work.)

Understanding Italian Negation: 'Non', 'No', 'Neanche', 'Nemmeno'

In this lesson, you will learn the basics of forming negations in Italian, a key skill for everyday conversations. Negation in Italian is often expressed using specific words that change the meaning of sentences to indicate what is not done, not true, or not possible.

Key Negation Words

  • Non: Placed before the verb, it is the most common way to negate sentences. Example: Non ho passato l'esame (I did not pass the exam).
  • No: Used mainly for short answers or to express refusal. Example: No, aspetto l'autobus (No, I am waiting for the bus).
  • Neanche and Nemmeno: These add emphasis by expressing "not even" or "neither/nor" in negative sentences. Example: Non posso venire, neanche lui può (I can't come, neither can he).

Common Usage Tips

The negation word non always comes directly before the verb, while no is often a standalone response. Words like neanche and nemmeno are similar in use, but nemmeno can sometimes sound slightly more formal or emphatic. The phrase neanch'io is useful to agree with a negative statement someone else makes, meaning "me neither." Example: Non posso venire stasera, neanch’io devo lavorare (I can’t come tonight, me neither, I have to work).

Differences Compared to English Negation

Unlike English, where negation often involves adding "not" or auxiliary verbs, Italian places negation directly before the main verb, without auxiliary verbs. Also, Italian uses specific negation words like neanche and nemmeno to express "not even" or inclusion in negative contexts, which may take several words to convey in English. For example, to say "I do not work on Saturdays," you say Non lavoro il sabato, placing non directly before the verb lavoro. Another difference is that in Italian short negative answers often use no, similar to English "no," but it is less common to use "not" alone as a short answer in English.

Useful Phrases

  • Non posso venire – I cannot come
  • No, la biblioteca è chiusa – No, the library is closed
  • Neanch’io voglio andare – I don’t want to go either
  • Nemmeno lui sa la risposta – Not even he knows the answer

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Fabio Pirioni

Bachelor in Humanities

University of Udine

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Last Updated:

Tuesday, 15/07/2025 08:31