not; no (used to negate a verb or clause)
The basic negation marker in modern Romanian.
Nu vreau cafea.
I don't want coffee.
Nu merge azi.
It doesn't work today.
Nu am timp.
I don't have time.
#2 · Particle · PART
In Romanian, nu means “not; no (used to negate a verb or clause)”. It’s the #2 most frequently used Romanian word. Below you’ll find how to use it, its forms, real example sentences, and common word pairings.
The standard Romanian negation particle used to make a sentence negative: it usually comes before the verb. It also appears in short answers and many fixed grammatical patterns.
neutralThe basic negation marker in modern Romanian.
I don't want coffee.
It doesn't work today.
I don't have time.
Used alone or with a verb to answer negatively.
—Are you coming? —No.
—Did you understand? —No, I didn't understand.
Ranked by how often each form shows up in spoken Romanian. The top form cover about 91% of everyday use — learn these first.
Nu + verb
The usual way to negate a finite verb or verbal phrase.
Nu citesc azi.
I'm not reading today.
Nu in short answers
Can stand alone as a negative reply.
—Ai nevoie de ajutor? —Nu.
—Do you need help? —No.
Nu + imperative
Used to form a prohibition in the singular and plural.
Nu vorbi tare!
Don't speak loudly!
nu ... nici
Often combines with nici to express 'neither/nor'.
Nu vreau nici apă, nici ceai.
I want neither water nor tea.
vs. ba
Ba is the opposite of a negative answer or a contradiction; nu simply negates.
—Nu vii? —Ba, vin.
—Aren't you coming? —Yes, I am.
vs. nici
Nici usually reinforces negation or means 'neither/either'; it does not normally replace nu by itself.
Nu am nici bani, nici timp.
I have neither money nor time.
vs. fără
Fără means 'without'; it is not the same as sentence negation with nu.
Fără zahăr, te rog.
Without sugar, please.
Nu știu răspunsul.
I don't know the answer.
nu - Simple negation before the verb.
Nu am văzut filmul.
I haven't seen the movie.
nu - Negation with a compound tense.
Nu pleca acum.
Don't leave now.
nu - Negation used in an imperative prohibition.