How to Say ‘I don't have’ in French
Je n'ai pas
zhuh n eh pah
[zhuh n eh pah]
💬 Usage Tip: [Je n'ai] shows how [ne] becomes [n'] before a vowel sound, and [ai] is from [avoir], so [je n'ai pas] means "I don't have." The [n'] cannot stand alone.
Phrase Breakdown
Je
[zhuh]
I
The subject pronoun for the speaker.
Je n'ai pas de monnaie sur moi.
I don't have any change on me.
n'
[n]
not
Contracted first part of negation before a vowel.
Je n'ai pas ma carte aujourd'hui.
I don't have my card today.
ai
[eh]
have
Form of avoir meaning to have.
J'ai seulement un billet de vingt euros.
I only have a twenty-euro note.
pas
[pah]
not
Second part of negation after the verb.
Je n'ai pas assez pour la course.
I don't have enough for the fare.
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