nie

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not, no, no, negative answer
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/ɲɛ/
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A Polish word used to negate statements and also to denote a negative answer when spoken as a noun.
Practice using nie in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • Nie ma czasu na rozmowę.
    There is no time for a conversation.
  • Ja nie lubię kawy.
    I do not like coffee.
  • W rozmowie padło wiele nie.
    Many 'no's were said in the conversation.
  • Kiedy zapytałem, odpowiedziała nie.
    When I asked, she answered 'no'.
  • Nie mogę znaleźć kluczy.
    I cannot find the keys.

Similar words

odmowa
zaprzeczenie
negacja
nie
odrzucenie

Meanings

Negation

adverb
everyday
neutral
Used to make a statement negative or to refuse something.

Examples

  • Ja nie lubię kawy.
    I do not like coffee.
  • Ona nie przyjechała na spotkanie.
    She did not come to the meeting.
  • Nie mogę znaleźć kluczy.
    I cannot find the keys.
  • On nie chce iść do szkoły.
    He does not want to go to school.
  • Nie ma czasu na rozmowę.
    There is no time for a conversation.

Similar words

nie

Negative answer

noun
everyday
neutral
A word used as a noun to denote a negative response.

Examples

  • Usłyszałem głośne nie.
    I heard a loud 'no'.
  • Jej nie było słyszalne w tłumie.
    Her 'no' was not heard in the crowd.
  • Kiedy zapytałem, odpowiedziała nie.
    When I asked, she answered 'no'.
  • W rozmowie padło wiele nie.
    Many 'no's were said in the conversation.
  • Zapisz nie w notatniku jako odpowiedź.
    Write 'no' in the notebook as the answer.

Similar words

odmowa
zaprzeczenie
negacja
odrzucenie

Etymology

From Proto‑Slavic *ne, meaning ‘not’, inherited into Polish as nie.

FAQ

What does nie mean in Polish?

It is the standard word for negation, equivalent to English ‘not’ or ‘no’.

How is nie used to form a negative sentence?

Place nie before the verb or adjective you want to negate.

Can nie be used as a noun?

Yes, when referring to the word itself or a negative reply, e.g., Usłyszałem głośne nie.

What is the opposite of nie?

The opposite is tak, meaning ‘yes’.

Is nie ever capitalized?

Only when it appears as the acronym NIE for a proper name; otherwise it stays lowercase.

Does nie change form in different tenses?

No, it is an invariant adverb and does not inflect.

What is the origin of nie?

It comes from Proto‑Slavic ne, the same root as many Slavic negations.

Can nie be combined with other particles?

Yes, it often appears with by (e.g., nie by), but the particle stays separate.

How to pronounce nie?

It is pronounced /ɲɛ/.

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