Level A2–B1 (High beginner, low intermediate)
Today’s French Word of the Day is ni…ni, meaning “neither…nor.” This lesson includes five example sentences with simple, minimal grammar explanations.
Meaning
Ni… ni is a French negation structure that means “neither… nor.” It’s used to link two or more negative elements in a sentence.
When using ni… ni, the verb is preceded by ne, and each item being negated is introduced by ni. For example: Il ne parle ni anglais ni espagnol. (“He speaks neither English nor Spanish.”)
Pronunciation
Example sentences
In this first sentence, ni is used alone to continue a previous negative statement.
Je ne fume ni ne bois.
I neither smoke nor drink.
In this second sentence, la volonté can mean will, drive, passion, or desire, depending on context.
Martin n’a ni volonté ni ambition.
Martin has neither passion nor ambition.
👉 See also: Avoir conjugation (to have) »
If the definite article (le, la, les = “the”) appears in the affirmative sentence (e.g. J’aime le thé et le café – “I like tea and coffee”), it is retained when using ni… ni.
Je n’aime ni le thé ni le café.
I like neither tea nor coffee.
If the partitive article appears in the affirmative sentence (Je commande de l‘eau et de la bière / I’m ordering water and beer), it disappears when using ni…ni.
Je ne commande ni eau ni bière.
I order neither water nor beer.
If the partitive article (du, de la, de l’) appears in the affirmative sentence (e.g. Je commande de l’eau et de la bière – “I’m ordering water and beer”), it disappears when using ni… ni.
Je n’achète ni pommes ni oranges.
I buy neither apples nor oranges.
Word origin
Both the French word ni (neither) and the English word “neither” come from the Latin word nec, meaning “nor” or “not even.”
Words related to ni…ni
Here are some more French negations:
- ne… jamais – never
Elle ne voyage jamais. (She never travels.) - ne… rien – nothing
Je ne vois rien. (I see nothing.)
Se also: Voir conjugation (to see) » - ne… pas – not
Je ne mange pas. (I don’t eat.) - ne… plus – no longer / not anymore
Il ne fume plus. (He no longer smokes.) - ne… personne – no one / nobody
Je ne connais personne ici. (I know no one here.)
See also: Connaître conjugation (to know) » - ne… que – only
Il ne boit que de l’eau. (He only drinks water.)
Related lesson
French articles
Reference
