How to Say ‘Do not have; lacking’ in Japanese
がない
ga nai
[gah nai]
💬 Usage Tip: [ない] means "not," so [名詞 + がない] is a very common pattern for "there isn't / I don't have ...": [時間がない] "I don't have time," [お金がない] "I don't have money."
Phrase Breakdown
が
ga
[gah]
subject marker
A particle that marks the subject of the sentence or phrase.
元気がないです。
I have no energy / I'm feeling down.
ない
nai
[nai]
not exist; there is not
A negative word meaning something is absent or does not exist.
今日は元気がないです。
I have no energy today.
Get the Full Learning Experience
This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.
Pronunciation Feedback
AI-powered speech recognition to perfect your accent
Spaced Repetition
Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice
Immersive Roleplaying
Practice real conversations with AI partners
Custom Scenarios
Request lessons tailored to your specific needs
Get Full LessonWhat Learners Are Saying
“Teaching in Osaka and I wanted to connect with my students beyond the classroom. The everyday conversation scenarios made my Japanese feel natural, not textbook-y.”
Mia S., 25, English Teacher
“Moved to Tokyo and the polite vs. casual speech levels were killing me. This app breaks it all down with real scenarios. My coworkers noticed the difference in weeks.”
Kevin Z., 31, Game Developer
“I tried five different apps before this one. The roleplay conversations are what finally made things click. I actually remember what I learn now.”
Sofia R., 31, Marketing Manager