Negating Ability Using Nahin Before Sak

Hindi verbs usually love to hang out at the end of a sentence. Sakna is what we call an auxiliary verb. That means it helps the main verb do its job. The main verb stays in its simplest form, which we call the stem. You don't add any fancy endings to the main verb itself. All the "work"—the conjugation for gender and number—happens with sakna. Nahin is the negative particle. In this specific pattern, it loves to sit right before sakna. It’s like a shield protecting the ability. If you move it elsewhere, the sentence might still make sense, but it won't feel natural. It’s like putting the milk in the bowl before the cereal; it works, but it’s just wrong.

1. 1Building this sentence is like following a simple recipe. Follow these steps:
2. 2Start with your subject (like Main, Tum, or Vah).
3. 3Add the object if you have one (like paani or kitaab).
4. 4Take the main verb and use its stem. Just remove the -na from the infinitive (e.g., khana becomes kha).
5. 5Place nahin right after the stem.
6. 6Add the conjugated form of sakna (like sakta, sakti, or sakte).
7. 7End with the helping verb hoon, hai, or hain. (Pro tip: many people drop this in negative sentences!)

Use this when you are physically unable to do something. "I cannot lift this box" is a classic. Use it for skills you haven't mastered yet. "I cannot speak Japanese" is a great way to manage expectations. It is also perfect for situational barriers. "I cannot come to the party because I am working." You will use it at the airport when you can't find your gate. You will use it at a restaurant when you can't handle the heat. It is your go-to for setting boundaries. It is the polite way to say "no" when the reason is a lack of ability or possibility.

Don't confuse "can't" with "don't." This is a common trap. If you say Main meat nahin khata, it means you don't eat meat as a habit or choice. If you say Main meat nahin kha sakta, it means you are physically unable to eat it—maybe because of an allergy or a very full stomach. Also, don't use this for things that are impossible by the laws of physics unless you're being poetic. Stick to personal or situational abilities. Also, if you just don't *want* to do something, using sakna might sound like you're making an excuse. Be honest! If you won't do it, use the future tense instead.

The biggest mistake is the "Dangling Nahin." This is when you put nahin at the very end of the sentence. Main ja sakta nahin sounds like a line from a dramatic Bollywood song from the 70s. In daily life, keep it right before sakna. Another mistake is changing the main verb. Don't say Main jaata nahin sakta. Keep that main verb as a simple stem: ja. Lastly, watch your gender! If you are a girl, use sakti. If you are a boy, use sakta. Mixing these up is a classic learner move. It’s like wearing one sneaker and one flip-flop. People will understand, but it looks a bit funny.

Compare nahin sakna with nahin paana. Paana also means "to manage to." But sakna is about the general ability. Paana is often about a specific instance where you struggled but failed. For example, Main nahin aa saka means "I couldn't come" (general), while Main nahin aa paaya implies "I tried to come but something stopped me." Also, compare it with the simple negative. Main nahin jaunga means "I will not go." That’s a choice. Main nahin ja sakta means "I cannot go." That’s a limitation. Knowing the difference helps you express your intentions clearly so people don't think you're just being flaky.