Urdu, the national language of Pakistan, is a beautiful and expressive language with a rich literary tradition. One of the fundamental aspects of mastering Urdu is understanding its verb forms, especially how to construct negative verb forms. Negative verb forms are essential for everyday communication, as they allow you to express what is not happening, what you do not have, or what you do not want. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the different ways to form negative verbs in Urdu, providing you with the tools you need to speak and write the language more effectively.
Basic Structure of Negative Verbs
In Urdu, forming negative verbs is relatively straightforward but requires attention to detail. Negative sentences typically involve the use of the word “نہیں” (nahi), which means “no” or “not.” This word is inserted before the verb to negate it. The placement of “نہیں” is crucial, as it indicates that the action is not taking place.
For example:
– میں پڑھتا ہوں (Main parhta hoon) – I read.
– میں نہیں پڑھتا ہوں (Main nahi parhta hoon) – I do not read.
Note that “نہیں” is placed directly before the verb “پڑھتا” (parhta) to negate the action of reading.
Negative Forms in Different Tenses
Just like in English, Urdu verbs change form depending on the tense. Below, we will discuss how to form negative verbs in various tenses.
Present Indefinite Tense
The present indefinite tense is used to describe habitual actions or general truths. To form negative sentences in the present indefinite tense, “نہیں” is placed before the verb.
Examples:
– وہ کھاتا ہے (Woh khata hai) – He eats.
– وہ نہیں کھاتا ہے (Woh nahi khata hai) – He does not eat.
– میں کام کرتی ہوں (Main kaam karti hoon) – I work.
– میں کام نہیں کرتی ہوں (Main kaam nahi karti hoon) – I do not work.
As you can see, “نہیں” precedes the verb “کھاتا” (khata) and “کرتی” (karti) to form the negative.
Past Indefinite Tense
The past indefinite tense is used to describe actions that have been completed. To form negative sentences in the past indefinite tense, “نہیں” is placed before the verb, just as in the present indefinite tense.
Examples:
– انہوں نے فلم دیکھی (Unhon ne film dekhi) – They watched the movie.
– انہوں نے فلم نہیں دیکھی (Unhon ne film nahi dekhi) – They did not watch the movie.
– ہم نے کھانا بنایا (Hum ne khana banaya) – We cooked food.
– ہم نے کھانا نہیں بنایا (Hum ne khana nahi banaya) – We did not cook food.
Here, “نہیں” is placed before “دیکھی” (dekhi) and “بنایا” (banaya) to negate the actions.
Future Indefinite Tense
The future indefinite tense is used to describe actions that will happen. To form negative sentences in the future indefinite tense, “نہیں” is placed before the verb, and the auxiliary verb “گا” (ga), “گی” (gi), or “گے” (ge) is used to indicate the future.
Examples:
– وہ آئے گا (Woh aayega) – He will come.
– وہ نہیں آئے گا (Woh nahi aayega) – He will not come.
– میں جاؤں گی (Main jaungi) – I will go.
– میں نہیں جاؤں گی (Main nahi jaungi) – I will not go.
As you can see, “نہیں” is placed before “آئے گا” (aayega) and “جاؤں گی” (jaungi) to negate the future actions.
Negative Forms in Continuous Tenses
Continuous tenses describe ongoing actions. The formation of negative verbs in continuous tenses also involves the use of “نہیں” before the main verb, along with the appropriate auxiliary verbs.
Present Continuous Tense
The present continuous tense is used to describe actions that are currently happening. To form negative sentences in the present continuous tense, “نہیں” is placed before the main verb.
Examples:
– وہ کھیل رہا ہے (Woh khel raha hai) – He is playing.
– وہ نہیں کھیل رہا ہے (Woh nahi khel raha hai) – He is not playing.
– میں کھانا بنا رہی ہوں (Main khana bana rahi hoon) – I am cooking food.
– میں کھانا نہیں بنا رہی ہوں (Main khana nahi bana rahi hoon) – I am not cooking food.
Here, “نہیں” is placed before “کھیل رہا ہے” (khel raha hai) and “بنا رہی ہوں” (bana rahi hoon) to negate the ongoing actions.
Past Continuous Tense
The past continuous tense is used to describe actions that were happening at a specific time in the past. To form negative sentences in the past continuous tense, “نہیں” is placed before the main verb.
Examples:
– وہ کتاب پڑھ رہا تھا (Woh kitaab parh raha tha) – He was reading a book.
– وہ کتاب نہیں پڑھ رہا تھا (Woh kitaab nahi parh raha tha) – He was not reading a book.
– ہم کھیل رہے تھے (Hum khel rahe the) – We were playing.
– ہم نہیں کھیل رہے تھے (Hum nahi khel rahe the) – We were not playing.
Again, “نہیں” is placed before “پڑھ رہا تھا” (parh raha tha) and “کھیل رہے تھے” (khel rahe the) to negate the past continuous actions.
Future Continuous Tense
The future continuous tense is used to describe actions that will be happening at a specific time in the future. To form negative sentences in the future continuous tense, “نہیں” is placed before the main verb, along with the auxiliary verbs.
Examples:
– وہ سو رہا ہوگا (Woh so raha hoga) – He will be sleeping.
– وہ نہیں سو رہا ہوگا (Woh nahi so raha hoga) – He will not be sleeping.
– میں کام کر رہی ہوں گی (Main kaam kar rahi hoon gi) – I will be working.
– میں کام نہیں کر رہی ہوں گی (Main kaam nahi kar rahi hoon gi) – I will not be working.
As you can see, “نہیں” is placed before “سو رہا ہوگا” (so raha hoga) and “کر رہی ہوں گی” (kar rahi hoon gi) to negate the future continuous actions.
Negative Forms in Perfect Tenses
Perfect tenses describe actions that have been completed at some point in time. Forming negative verbs in perfect tenses involves the use of “نہیں” before the main verb, along with the appropriate auxiliary verbs.
Present Perfect Tense
The present perfect tense is used to describe actions that have been completed recently or actions that have relevance to the present moment. To form negative sentences in the present perfect tense, “نہیں” is placed before the main verb.
Examples:
– وہ آیا ہے (Woh aaya hai) – He has come.
– وہ نہیں آیا ہے (Woh nahi aaya hai) – He has not come.
– ہم نے کھانا کھایا ہے (Hum ne khana khaya hai) – We have eaten food.
– ہم نے کھانا نہیں کھایا ہے (Hum ne khana nahi khaya hai) – We have not eaten food.
Here, “نہیں” is placed before “آیا ہے” (aaya hai) and “کھایا ہے” (khaya hai) to negate the present perfect actions.
Past Perfect Tense
The past perfect tense is used to describe actions that were completed before a certain point in the past. To form negative sentences in the past perfect tense, “نہیں” is placed before the main verb.
Examples:
– وہ جا چکا تھا (Woh ja chuka tha) – He had gone.
– وہ نہیں جا چکا تھا (Woh nahi ja chuka tha) – He had not gone.
– ہم نے پڑھائی مکمل کی تھی (Hum ne parhai mukammal ki thi) – We had finished studying.
– ہم نے پڑھائی مکمل نہیں کی تھی (Hum ne parhai mukammal nahi ki thi) – We had not finished studying.
Again, “نہیں” is placed before “چکا تھا” (chuka tha) and “مکمل کی تھی” (mukammal ki thi) to negate the past perfect actions.
Future Perfect Tense
The future perfect tense is used to describe actions that will have been completed by a certain point in the future. To form negative sentences in the future perfect tense, “نہیں” is placed before the main verb, along with the auxiliary verbs.
Examples:
– وہ پہنچ چکا ہوگا (Woh pohanch chuka hoga) – He will have arrived.
– وہ نہیں پہنچ چکا ہوگا (Woh nahi pohanch chuka hoga) – He will not have arrived.
– میں نے کتاب ختم کر لی ہوگی (Main ne kitab khatam kar li hogi) – I will have finished the book.
– میں نے کتاب ختم نہیں کی ہوگی (Main ne kitab khatam nahi ki hogi) – I will not have finished the book.
As you can see, “نہیں” is placed before “چکا ہوگا” (chuka hoga) and “کی ہوگی” (ki hogi) to negate the future perfect actions.
Negative Imperative Sentences
Imperative sentences are used to give commands or make requests. To form negative imperative sentences in Urdu, “نہ” (na) is used before the verb. This is different from using “نہیں” in declarative sentences.
Examples:
– جاؤ (Jao) – Go.
– نہ جاؤ (Na jao) – Do not go.
– کھاؤ (Khao) – Eat.
– نہ کھاؤ (Na khao) – Do not eat.
Here, “نہ” (na) is placed before “جاؤ” (jao) and “کھاؤ” (khao) to negate the commands.
Negative Infinitives
Infinitives are the base form of a verb, often preceded by “to” in English. In Urdu, infinitives are negated by placing “نہ” (na) before the verb.
Examples:
– پڑھنا (Parhna) – To read.
– نہ پڑھنا (Na parhna) – Not to read.
– لکھنا (Likhna) – To write.
– نہ لکھنا (Na likhna) – Not to write.
Again, “نہ” (na) is placed before “پڑھنا” (parhna) and “لکھنا” (likhna) to form negative infinitives.
Common Mistakes and Tips
While forming negative verb forms in Urdu is relatively straightforward, there are some common mistakes that learners often make. Here are a few tips to help you avoid these pitfalls:
1. **Incorrect Placement of “نہیں”**: Ensure that “نہیں” is placed directly before the verb it is negating. Incorrect placement can lead to confusion or incorrect meanings.
2. **Confusing “نہیں” and “نہ”**: Remember that “نہیں” is used in declarative sentences to negate actions, while “نہ” is used in imperative sentences and infinitives.
3. **Pay Attention to Tenses**: Make sure to use the correct auxiliary verbs for different tenses. Negating verbs in different tenses requires an understanding of how auxiliary verbs function in Urdu.
4. **Practice Regularly**: The best way to master negative verb forms is to practice regularly. Try forming negative sentences in different tenses and using them in conversations to build your confidence.
Conclusion
Understanding and using negative verb forms in Urdu is a crucial step towards fluency in the language. By mastering the use of “نہیں” and “نہ,” you can accurately express negative actions and statements in various tenses. Remember to practice regularly and pay attention to the structure of your sentences. With time and effort, you will become more comfortable with forming negative verbs in Urdu, enhancing your overall language skills. Happy learning!
