Hebrew uses different words for 'not' depending on the context: לֹא for general negation, אֵין for 'there is not' and 'don't have', and אַל for negative commands ('don't!').
Negation Words
| Hebrew | Transliteration | Meaning | Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| לֹא | lo | not, no | General negation - all tenses |
| אֵין | ein | there is not, don't have | Present tense existence/possession |
| אַל | al | don't! | Negative commands (imperative) |
| בִּלְתִּי | bil-TI | un-, not | Formal - before adjectives |
לֹא - General Negation
לֹא (lo) goes directly before the verb:
• אֲנִי לֹא יוֹדֵעַ = I don't know
• הוּא לֹא בָּא אֶתְמוֹל = He didn't come yesterday
• הִיא לֹא תָּבוֹא מָחָר = She won't come tomorrow
אֵין - Negating Existence & Possession
אֵין (ein) is the opposite of יֵשׁ (yesh, there is):
• יֵשׁ לִי כֶּסֶף → אֵין לִי כֶּסֶף = I don't have money
• יֵשׁ בְּעָיָה → אֵין בְּעָיָה = There is no problem
• אֵין can also negate the subject in present tense: אֵינוֹ יוֹדֵעַ = he doesn't know (formal)
אַל - Negative Commands
אַל (al) + future tense = 'don't':
• אַל תֵּלֵךְ! = Don't go!
• אַל תִּדְאַג! = Don't worry!
Note: אַל is ONLY used with the future tense form, never with imperative.
In Sentences
Quick Tip
A common mistake is using לֹא instead of אֵין for 'don't have'. Remember: אֵין לִי (not לֹא לִי) = I don't have.