Dictionary / Grammar / Plain negative: Verb ない

Plain negative: Verb ない JLPT N5

The plain (casual) negative, and the base for negative patterns.

Formation

Verb (ない-stem / 未然形) + ない. Godan shift to the あ-row, with わ for the う-ending (書く -> 書かない, 買う -> 買わない); ichidan drop る (食べる -> 食べない).

Explanation

ない attaches to the あ-stem. The one trap is the う-ending, which takes わ (買わない, not 買あない). It is the casual equivalent of ません and the base for なくて, ないで, なければ and more.