mr.moderino

[random basin]

Please be patient

Our volunteers look into many questions every day; sometimes it takes them a little while to answer.

Pro tip: you can rename the thread title with `.tr <thread name>`

Make it descriptive, including relevant context, but also to the point. This way you improve your chances of getting a more relevant and specific answer.

[vestal turret]

You don't have any computer

« du/de la/des (some) » become « de » when negated

Tu as des ordinateurs
(You have some computers)

Tu n'as **pas d'**ordinateurs
(You don't have any computers)

This also works for « un/une »:
Tu as un ordinateur
(You have a computer)

Tu n'as pas d'ordinateur
(You don't have any computer)

[junior moon]

In casual speech, ne does get dropped.
Tu n'as pas d'ordinateur => t'as pas d'ordinateur

[vestal turret]

As for dropping the « ne », that is very common in speech, yes, but when you're in an educational setting – which is appropriate since you are on Busuu – you don't drop it. This is because the original negation is with « ne » so you get into the habit of using it instead of just dropping it. It might sound weird, but it'll help you a lot when you go up in register to formal speech or start writing in French as those « ne » particles are staying in.

[junior moon]

Also, indefinite articles (un(e)/des) also turn into de in negations.
Tu as un ordinateur => tu n'as pas d'ordinateur

The exceptions being the verb être and wanting to make a contrast with another object or another number.

C'est un problème => ce n'est pas un problème
Je n'ai pas un chat mais un chien.
Je n'ai pas acheté un cahier mais dix.

[manic lion]

Hmm

[dire eagle]

note that dropping ne isn't a hard rule

it's generally dropped in informal contexts but yeah

not always

[manic lion]

I realized it literally means You not have any computer

[manic lion]

Thank you, I'll likely be dropping the ne when speaking. I feel it is difficult to adapt to using two words to adapt, I prefer using pas exclusively but I know its mandatory when writing

[manic lion]

I not have a cat but a dog. I not have to buy a cashier but 10 It is a problem. This not is a problem

[dire eagle]

no, pas is always mandatory

in writing and in speaking

[junior moon]

Pas and any other negation adverb.

Like plus, jamais.

[dire eagle]

cahier is notebook, not cashier

thats caissier

[manic lion]

Ahh I remembered the de rule in negation, thank you helper. I appreciate. I am wondering, why is there a d'ordineateur. Of computer doesn't make sense. Does de also mean any?

[vestal turret]

For the second one is more: 'I have not bought a notebook but ten (notebooks)'

[manic lion]

Excuse me Ne

[dire eagle]

de is like any in that context

[fathom lotus]

"de" here is like [not] any

[vestal turret]

Je n'ai pas acheté = I have not bought

[manic lion]

Thank you French helpers I am thankful, I am monolingiual my whole life so I don't have the privilege of already understanding these languages easier if I'm on my 4th language.

[manic lion]

Oops! Yeah I'm not on the past tense level yet. Everything I know is present tense and Voudrais

[willow socket]

Yup, "de" is one of the more complicated prepositions to understand since its usage is not a direct translation