How to say "I don't" or "I don't think so" in French?

Question

Ok, I do speak french, so obviously I know that literally it would be "Je n'ai pas" and "Je ne pense pas" but I just want to check that this is correct?
For example if I go into a store in france and they ask me if I have a store card, I don't like to just give one word answers so I usually say "Non, je n'ai pas"... is this acceptable language or is there an idiom or expression which people say which is more common?
Same with "Je ne pense pas".

Merci bien. =)

Answer 1

The easiest way to get round your question is simply to say "Non" and people will understand.

"I don't " is expressed in a variety of ways that use different verbs and pronouns according to the question asked and although "Je n'/ne...pas" frames the verb chosen, you have to add a suitable pronoun for questions that involve a location, wanting /needing/ having/ liking / knowing something, and reflexive verbs.

So

"Vous allez au marché?" "Non, je n'y vais pas"

"Vous désirez du café?""Non, je n'en veux pas"

"Vous avez besoin d'aide?" "Non, je n'en ai pas besoin"

"Vous avez de la monnaie?""Non, je n'en ai pas"

"Vous aimez le fromage?"Non, je ne l'aime pas" (Here the pronoun would change to le/la/les depending on the gender and the number as in "Vous aimez les enfants?" "Non, je ne les aime pas")

"Vous connaissez Marie-France" "Non, je ne la connais pas"

"Savez-vous quand le train part?" "Non, je ne le sais pas"

"Vous vous souvenez de Pierre et Marie-France?" "Non, je ne m'en souviens pas"



It also depends on what article or possessive adjective is used in the question.

"Vous avez votre passeport avec vous?""Non, je ne l'ai pas"

"Vous avez le passeport de Marie ?""Non, je ne l'ai pas"

"Vous avez un passeport?""Non, je n'en ai pas"



"Je ne pense pas""Je ne crois pas""Je ne mange pas" "Je ne viens pas" are all correct because they do not involve anything else than the suject, the verb, and the negative.

Answer 2

You're correct on "je ne pense pas".



"Je n'ai pas" means "I don't have". So if you want to say "I don't" as in: "I don't like" for example, you would say: "Je n'aime pas", so basically, the "don't" is the "ne...pas" with the verb in the middle.

Answer 3

To the question ''do you have a store card'' the answer is ''non, je n'EN ai pas'' ('en refering to card) There is no exact equivalent to that way of answering. So, ''je ne pense pas'' is correct translation of I don't think so

Answer 4

what about Je ne crois pas for ' I dont think so"

Answer 5

Je crois que non.



Literally: I believe that no.



But the meaning is exactly the same as "I don't think so".



I hope this helps!

Answer 6

I think you are correct. I find nothing wrong with yours

Answer 7

I DONT=J'AI MIS



I DONT THINK SO=J'AI MIS PENSE