ぬ
Classical negative, Classical verb [ない]
Structure
Verb［
Exceptions:
する ￫ せぬ
くる ￫ こぬ
いる ￫ おらぬ
Explanation
ぬ is the attributive form of ず, a classical auxiliary verb for negation that works like ない and attaches to the same verb base.
Because ぬ is an attributive form, it can technically be used to modify nouns that appear directly after it. However, this is quite rare in modern Japanese. Instead, you'll typically find it in fixed expressions, used for a literary effect, or to make a character sound old-fashioned.
- この重い石は一人では運べぬ。I can't carry this heavy stone by myself.
- 彼の申し出は決して受け入れぬ！I will absolutely not accept his proposal!
- 凡人にはこの芸術の良さは分からぬ。An ordinary person wouldn't understand the value of this art.
When negating the verb いる, its more traditional form おる is used, becoming おらぬ.
- 先生はもう研究室にはおらぬ。The professor is no longer in the lab.
Similarly, する becomes せぬ and くる becomes こぬ. These follow the same irregular conjugation patterns used with ず.
- 私は人に嘘をつくような真似はせぬ。I would never stoop to lying to people.
- 春がいくら待ってもこぬ。No matter how long I wait, spring just won't come.
Examples
「我が守りは破れぬぞ！」
'My defense cannot be broken!'
この建物内での喫煙は認められておらぬ。
Smoking is not permitted inside this building.
姫：「待ちわびた手紙は、まだ届かぬのですか？」
Princess: 'Has the letter I've been waiting for not arrived yet?'
「目に見えぬ敵」とは、ウイルスのように直接確認できない脅威のことだ。
An 'unseen enemy' refers to a threat that cannot be directly observed, like a virus.
弟子は師匠に対し、「まだまだ及ばぬ身ではございますが、精一杯頑張ります」と言った。
The apprentice said to his master, 'While my skills still do not compare to yours, I will do my absolute best.'
この悲劇を二度と繰り返さないために、我々は忘れてはならぬ。
In order to never repeat this tragedy, we must not forget.
この件に関わらぬ者は、すぐに立ち去るがよい。
Those who are uninvolved in this matter should leave at once.
契約書のインクも乾かぬうちに、彼は約束を破った。
He broke his promise before the ink on the contract was even dry.
日本のことわざ「知らぬが仏」は、英語の「Ignorance is bliss」に相当する。
The Japanese proverb, 'not knowing is Buddha', is equivalent to the English 'Ignorance is bliss'.
武士：「心配には及ばん。貴様らの助けなどいらぬわ。」
Samurai: 'Don't worry about me. I don't need help from the likes of you.'
正直者の彼は、嘘のつけぬ性格でみんなから信頼されている。
As an honest person, he is trusted by everyone for having a personality that cannot tell a lie.
どんなに楽しい宴も、終わらぬものなど決してありはせぬのだ。
No matter how enjoyable a banquet is, there is absolutely no such thing as one that does not end.