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Plain past negative
Definition
The plain past negative verb form 〜なかった is used to describe actions that did not happen in the past in informal speech and subordinate clauses. It is often used to express regret or disappointment about something that did not occur. For example, if someone asks you if you went to a party, you can respond with 'ううん、行かなかった' (I didn't go). This form is also used in subordinate clauses to describe the conditions or circumstances under which something did not happen. For instance, 'あの映画は全然見に行かなかった' (I didn't go to see that movie at all).
Structure
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Present Negative | Verb stem + ない | 食べない |
| Plain Past Negative | Verb stem + なかった | 食べなかった |
Examples
昨日、宿題をしなかった。
Kinou, shukudai o shinakatta.
I didn't do my homework yesterday.
昨日 (yesterday), 宿題 (homework), を (object marker), しなかった (plain past negative)
友だち：「パーティーに行った？」あなた：「ううん、行かなかった。"
Tomodachi: "Pātī ni itta?" Anata: "Uun, ikakatta."
Friend: "Did you go to the party?" You: "No, I didn't go."
友だち (friend), パーティー (party), に (location marker), 行った (past affirmative), あなた (you), ううん (no), 行かなかった (plain past negative)
あの映画は全然見に行かなかった。
Ano eiga wa zenzen mi ni ikakatta.
I didn't go to see that movie at all.
あの映画 (that movie), は (topic marker), 全然 (completely), 見に行かなかった (plain past negative)
彼は昨日買い物に行かなかった。
Kare wa kinou kaimono ni ikakatta.
He didn't go shopping yesterday.
彼 (he), は (topic marker), 昨日 (yesterday), 買い物 (shopping), に (location marker), 行かなかった (plain past negative)
彼女はあの映画を見に行かなかった。
Kanojo wa ano eiga o mi ni ikakatta.
She didn't go to see that movie.
彼女 (she), は (topic marker), あの映画 (that movie), を (object marker), 見に行かなかった (plain past negative)
Context
The plain past negative verb form 〜なかった is used in informal speech and subordinate clauses to describe actions that did not happen in the past. It is often used to express regret or disappointment about something that did not occur. This form is not suitable for formal writing or polite speech.
Watch out
The plain past negative verb form 〜なかった is used in informal speech and subordinate clauses to describe actions that did not happen in the past. Using ませんでした in casual contexts can sound unnatural and is not suitable for this situation.
The plain past negative verb form 〜なかった is used to describe actions that did not happen in the past, while the present negative verb form ない is used to describe actions that are not happening now. Confusing these two forms can lead to incorrect usage.
The plain past negative verb form 〜なかった is used in informal speech and subordinate clauses to describe actions that did not happen in the past. Using this form in formal writing or polite speech can sound unnatural and is not suitable for these situations.
Strategy
In the JLPT N5 exam, you may encounter questions that require the use of the plain past negative verb form 〜なかった. Be sure to use this form correctly in informal speech and subordinate clauses to describe actions that did not happen in the past. Pay attention to the context and the tone of the sentence to determine whether to use なかった or another verb form.
In context
Worked examples drawn from JLPT N5 test-style questions. Each sentence shows 〜なかった used correctly, with a brief note on what the pattern is doing.
昨日、宿題をしなかった。
Pattern used: しなかった
昨日 (yesterday) signals past tense. 〜なかった is the casual past negative — 'did not do homework'.
友だち：「パーティーに行った？」あなた：「ううん、行かなかった。」
Pattern used: 行かなかった
The friend uses casual past (行った？). The reply should match with casual past negative 〜なかった.
あの映画は全然おもしろくなかった。
Pattern used: おもしろくなかった
あの (that) refers to a past experience. い-adjective past negative: おもしろい → おもしろくなかった ('was not interesting').
Interactive
昨日、宿題を______。
Adaptive practice
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.