Negation with numbers

ESTHER P.B1Kwiziq community member

J'ai trois soeurs. Does this change to Je n'ai pas trois soeurs or je n'ai pas de soeurs. If the latter, then do all numbers change to de??

Asked 4 years ago

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer

Depending on what you want to say, you pick one or the other:

Je n'ai pas trois sœurs. -- I don't have three sisters. (But maybe four!)
Je n'ai pas de sœurs. -- I don't have sisters. (Not even a one.)

Like14 years ago

Maarten K.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Je n'ai pas trois soeurs. J'en ai quatre. (Ou une, deux etc).

Like04 years ago

CécileKwiziq Native French Teacher

Hi Esther,

You could also say -

Je n'ai pas de frères et sœurs = I don't have any brothers or sisters

Like04 years ago

J'ai trois soeurs. Does this change to Je n'ai pas trois soeurs or je n'ai pas de soeurs. If the latter, then do all numbers change to de??

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard