ne

Meaning

1. not (used alone to negate a verb; now chiefly with only a few particular verbs: see usage notes)
2. not, no (used before a verb, with a coordinating negative element usually following; see Usage Notes, below)
3. Used in a subordinate clause before a subjunctive verb (especially when the main verb expresses doubt or fear), to provide extra overtones of doubt or uncertainty (but not negating its verb); the so-called "pleonastic" or "expletive" ne.
4. In comparative clauses usually translated with the positive sense of the subsequent negative

Pronounced as (IPA)

/nə/

Etymology

From Middle French, from Old French nen or ne preceding words starting in a consonant, from Latin nōn.

Sentences

Monsieur ne prend pas autre chose ?

Doesn't the gentleman take anything else?

Ce gouvernement ne sait pas où il va .

This government doesn't know where it's going.

Pourquoi on ne traduit plus les titres en anglais ?!

Why don't we translate titles into English anymore?!

Elle , ne comprenait toujours pas les refus de son amie .

She still did not understand her friend's refusals.

Cependant , il ne se considère pas nécessairement lui-même comme un chanteur engagé .

However, he doesn't necessarily see himself as a committed singer.

Que diable , mon bon ami , ne soyez pas plus royaliste que le roi !

What the hell, my good friend, do not be more royalist than the king!

Cependant , le Comte ne désespère pas de ramener son cerveau à la vie .

However, the Count does not despair of bringing his brain back to life.

L'absence de réponse ne retire pas de point .

The absence of a response does not remove a point.