10K+ students - 4.8/5
Learn with a teacher Learning materials included Practise conversation

Teaching guidelines +/- 15 minutes

Learn the Italian negation forms: use "non" before verbs, "no" for short answers, and "neanche" or "nemmeno" to add emphasis, as in "Non ho passato l'esame" and "Nemmeno il mio amico è riuscito."
  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 Negation in Italian: Non, No, Neanche, Nemmeno

This lesson introduces basic negation in Italian, focusing on four key words: non, no, neanche, and nemmeno. These words are essential for expressing negation clearly and naturally in everyday conversations.

Key Negation Words and Their Usage

  • No: Used for short negative answers.
    Example: No, aspetto l'autobus.
  • Non: Placed before the verb to negate a statement.
    Example: Non ho passato l'esame.
  • Neanche: Adds negation, often meaning "not even" or "neither".
    Example: Non posso venire, neanche lui può.
  • Nemmeno: Similar to neanche, used to emphasize negation.
    Example: Nemmeno il mio amico è riuscito a trovare la casa.

Additional Expressions

The form neanch'io expresses agreement with a negative statement made by another person, similar to "me neither" in English.

Important Notes on Negation Structure

In Italian, non is placed directly before the verb to negate it, unlike English where negation is often added after the auxiliary verb or by using "not." For example, Non posso aprire la farmacia adesso. means "I cannot open the pharmacy now." Understanding the placement of negation words is crucial for forming correct sentences.

Useful Phrases

  • No, la biblioteca è chiusa oggi. (No, the library is closed today.)
  • Non posso venire stasera, neanch’io devo lavorare. (I cannot come tonight, me neither, I have to work.)
  • Nemmeno l’ufficio postale apre il sabato. (Not even the post office opens on Saturdays.)

Comparing Italian Negation with English

Unlike English, where "no" is rarely used before a verb and negation often relies on auxiliary verbs plus "not," Italian uses non directly before the verb. The words neanche and nemmeno emphasize negation similarly to "neither" or "not even" in English. Also, short answers commonly use no, matching English usage.

Example:

  • Italian: No, non lavoro sabato.
    English: No, I don't work on Saturday.

Mastering these negation forms allows learners to express negative ideas clearly and respond appropriately in conversations.

Written by

This content has been designed and reviewed by the coLanguage pedagogical team: About coLanguage

Profile Picture

Fabio Pirioni

Bachelor in Humanities

University of Udine

University_Logo

Last Updated:

Thursday, 17/07/2025 01:57