Negation: lo and ein
The ordinary not is lo, and it stands right before the verb: ani lo mevin — I don't understand. No double negatives, no change to the verb — just lo in front of it. For example: “אני לא מבין.” — I don't understand. A rule from the Hebrew course: worked out on examples, not memorized as a wording.
How it works
The ordinary not is lo, and it stands right before the verb: ani lo mevin — I don't understand. No double negatives, no change to the verb — just lo in front of it.
A separate no in the sense of there isn't is ein. It replaces to-have with a minus: ein li zman — I have no time, ein lechem — there is no bread. The pattern is the same as yesh, only negative.
And no as an answer to a question is lo again: rotse kafe? — lo, toda.
By example
- אני לא מבין.ани ло мэвин.I don't understand.
- אין לי זמן.эйн ли зман.I have no time.
- לא, תודה.ло, тода.No, thank you.
How the rule settles in your head
A rule is not memorized from an explanation. It is memorized from an attempt to use it and a mistake — that is why the app delivers it mixed in with words, not as a separate lesson: it resurfaces exactly where you forgot it.
Frequently asked
How to say no and not in Hebrew?
The ordinary not is lo, and it stands right before the verb: ani lo mevin — I don't understand. No double negatives, no change to the verb — just lo in front of it.
Difference between lo and ein in Hebrew?
The ordinary not is lo, and it stands right before the verb: ani lo mevin — I don't understand. No double negatives, no change to the verb — just lo in front of it.
How to say I have no time in Hebrew?
A separate no in the sense of there isn't is ein. It replaces to-have with a minus: ein li zman — I have no time, ein lechem — there is no bread. The pattern is the same as yesh, only negative.
What does it look like in a Hebrew example sentence?
“אני לא מבין.” (ани ло мэвин.) — I don't understand. A rule is easier to test on sentences like this than to memorize as a wording: what surfaces in conversation is the sentence.