How to Make Negative Sentences in Portuguese: Não, Nunca, Nada, and Ninguém
Build useful negative sentences and understand where Portuguese negative words go in a phrase.
Real Life Portuguese · 8 min read · Updated October 14, 2026
The short answer
The basic way to make a Portuguese sentence negative is to put não before the verb. This pattern works with most everyday statements: Eu não entendo (I do not understand), Ela não trabalha hoje (She is not working today), and A gente não tem tempo (We do not have time). In casual speech, não is sometimes shortened to num, but learners should recognize the informal sound and use standard não when writing clearly.
Put não before the verb to say no
An answer can also begin with Não, followed by a complete sentence or a short phrase. Pay attention to the difference between the response word and the negative placed inside a sentence. Saying Não, não sei means “No, I don’t know.” The second não belongs with the verb sei.
Eu não moro aqui.
I don’t live here.
Você não precisa esperar.
You don’t need to wait.
Não, ela não está em casa.
No, she isn’t at home.
Use nunca for “never” and “not ever”
Nunca means never. It normally appears before the verb in a simple statement: Eu nunca viajei sozinho (I have never traveled alone). Depending on context, Portuguese may use the present, past, or another tense where English chooses a different form. Learn the sentence as a complete example instead of translating each tense word for word.
Nunca can also answer a question by itself. If you want to strengthen a negative claim, the common pattern is nunca + verb, without adding a second não before the verb: Eu nunca tomo café à noite. This is a practical pattern for habits, experience, and personal preferences.
Eu nunca acordo tão cedo no domingo.
I never wake up this early on Sunday.
Ela nunca veio a Salvador.
She has never been to Salvador.
Você já comeu acarajé? Ainda não, nunca experimentei.
Have you tried acarajé? Not yet, I’ve never tried it.
Place nada and ninguém where they make sense
Nada means nothing or anything in a negative sentence; ninguém means nobody or anybody. In a basic sentence, place the word before the verb: Nada aconteceu (Nothing happened) and Ninguém respondeu (Nobody answered). With não, use a clear pattern such as Não vi ninguém (I didn’t see anyone) or Não comprei nada (I didn’t buy anything).
Portuguese commonly uses these negative words together with não in this post-verbal position. That combination does not create the English-style “double negative” meaning of a positive sentence. Keep the full Portuguese pattern together as a unit: não + verb + ninguém/nada.
Ninguém sabe a resposta.
Nobody knows the answer.
Não encontrei nada na bolsa.
I didn’t find anything in the bag.
Não conheço ninguém nesta rua.
I don’t know anyone on this street.
Build a negative answer from a real question
A good practice routine starts with a question and changes only the part you need. Ask Você trabalha amanhã? Then answer Não trabalho amanhã or Não, amanhã eu não trabalho. Next add nunca, nada, or ninguém to express a more specific idea. The question-and-answer format helps you remember both word order and natural response rhythm.
If you are unsure, start with the dependable pattern não + verb. Then learn the position of another negative word from a complete sentence. Compare the examples here with everyday listening practice from I Speak Portuguese and reuse the Real Life Portuguese guides to common questions and conversation responses.
Você conhece alguém aqui? Não conheço ninguém.
Do you know anyone here? I don’t know anyone.
O que você comprou? Não comprei nada.
What did you buy? I didn’t buy anything.
Você toma café à noite? Não, nunca tomo.
Do you drink coffee at night? No, I never do.
Put it into practice
Start with não before the verb. Learn nunca + verb and não + verb + nada/ninguém as complete patterns, then adapt them to your own routine.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “I don’t live here”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
Keep practicing with the Real Life Portuguese app
Build on this guide with everyday expressions and native Brazilian audio. Choose iPhone, Android, or the web app.