About us
Our goal is not to overload students with heavy grammar, turning them into philologists, but to teach a real, living language. The one you hear in a store, the one that allows you to communicate, meet people and clearly articulate your thoughts in a foreign language.
sales team
Negation in German
15.07.2024
4 minutes to read
Negation in German may seem a little complicated at first glance, but it's actually not that hard! There are several ways to say "no" or "not" in German, and they are used depending on the context. The main words to memorize are "nicht" and "kein". In this text, I will talk about how to use these words correctly so that your negative sentences sound as good as native speakers. Let's figure it out together!
Table of contents
Negative sentences in German are constructed differently depending on what we want to deny. If we are denying an action, we use the word "nicht". For example: "Ich spiele nicht" - "I do not play". "Nicht" is placed before the word we want to negate or at the end of a sentence.
If we are negating a noun, we use "kein" (or its forms: keine, keinen, and so on). For example: "Ich habe keinen Hund" - "I don't have a dog". "Kein" changes in gender, number and case of the noun it negates.
It is important to remember that "nicht" and "kein" are never used together. You have to choose one of them depending on the situation. For example, "Ich habe kein Buch" (I don't have a book) and "Ich lese nicht" (I don't read).
If we are negating a noun, we use "kein" (or its forms: keine, keinen, and so on). For example: "Ich habe keinen Hund" - "I don't have a dog". "Kein" changes in gender, number and case of the noun it negates.
It is important to remember that "nicht" and "kein" are never used together. You have to choose one of them depending on the situation. For example, "Ich habe kein Buch" (I don't have a book) and "Ich lese nicht" (I don't read).
Negative sentences in German: how they are constructed
El verbo to pay en inglés: 3 formas
El verbo 'to pay' es una de las palabras clave del inglés que desempeña un papel importante en la comunicación cotidiana.
Cómo utilizar los articuli en alemán: cómo usarlos correctamente
Los artículos en alemán pueden parecer complicados a quienes empiezan a aprender el idioma.
When the verb Nicht is used
Using the verb "nicht" in German can seem a little confusing, but there are actually clear rules to help you figure things out. Let's take a look at when and how to use "nicht" correctly.
Basic rules for using "nicht"
"Nicht" is used for negation:
Verbs (actions)
Adjectives
Adverbs
Whole sentences
Prepositions with their complements
Verb negation
1. When we want to say that an action is not happening, we use "nicht". Usually "nicht" is put after the verb-noun, but before all other members of the sentence (e.g. a complement or a circumstance).
Examples:
Ich spiele nicht. (I don't play.)
Er arbeitet heute nicht. (He's not working today.)
If there is an auxiliary verb in the sentence, "nicht" is placed before the semantic verb.
Example:
Ich kann nicht schwimmen. (I can't swim.)
Negation of adjectives
2. When we want to say that something is not some (not qualitative), we use "nicht" before the adjective.
Examples:
Das ist nicht gut. (It's not good.)
Das Wetter ist heute nicht schön. (The weather is not nice today.)
Negation of adverbs
3. When we want to say that an action does not take place in some way, we use "nicht" before the adverb.
Examples:
Er läuft nicht schnell. (He doesn't run fast.)
Ich komme nicht oft hierher. (I don't come here often.)
Denial of whole sentences
Sometimes we want to negate an entire sentence. In such cases, "nicht" is put at the end of the sentence if there are no other elements to be noticed.
Examples:
Ich gehe heute Abend nicht ins Kino. (I'm not going to the movies tonight.)
Wir essen morgen nicht zu Hause. (We won't eat at home tomorrow.)
Negation of prepositions with their complements
When we want to negate a whole word combination with a preposition, "nicht" is placed before the preposition and its complement.
Examples:
Ich komme nicht aus Deutschland. (I'm not from Germany.)
Wir fahren nicht mit dem Auto. (We will not go by car.)
Comparison using "kein"
It is important to remember that "nicht" is used to negate verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and whole sentences, while "kein" is used to negate nouns.
Examples:
Ich habe kein Buch. (I have no book.) - Negation of a noun.
Ich lese nicht. (I don't read.) - Negation of an action (verb).
Special cases
Sometimes "nicht" is used to negate specific words in a sentence to emphasize that word.
Example:
Ich esse nicht Fisch, sondern Fleisch. (I don't eat fish, but meat.)
Basic rules for using "nicht"
"Nicht" is used for negation:
Verbs (actions)
Adjectives
Adverbs
Whole sentences
Prepositions with their complements
Verb negation
1. When we want to say that an action is not happening, we use "nicht". Usually "nicht" is put after the verb-noun, but before all other members of the sentence (e.g. a complement or a circumstance).
Examples:
Ich spiele nicht. (I don't play.)
Er arbeitet heute nicht. (He's not working today.)
If there is an auxiliary verb in the sentence, "nicht" is placed before the semantic verb.
Example:
Ich kann nicht schwimmen. (I can't swim.)
Negation of adjectives
2. When we want to say that something is not some (not qualitative), we use "nicht" before the adjective.
Examples:
Das ist nicht gut. (It's not good.)
Das Wetter ist heute nicht schön. (The weather is not nice today.)
Negation of adverbs
3. When we want to say that an action does not take place in some way, we use "nicht" before the adverb.
Examples:
Er läuft nicht schnell. (He doesn't run fast.)
Ich komme nicht oft hierher. (I don't come here often.)
Denial of whole sentences
Sometimes we want to negate an entire sentence. In such cases, "nicht" is put at the end of the sentence if there are no other elements to be noticed.
Examples:
Ich gehe heute Abend nicht ins Kino. (I'm not going to the movies tonight.)
Wir essen morgen nicht zu Hause. (We won't eat at home tomorrow.)
Negation of prepositions with their complements
When we want to negate a whole word combination with a preposition, "nicht" is placed before the preposition and its complement.
Examples:
Ich komme nicht aus Deutschland. (I'm not from Germany.)
Wir fahren nicht mit dem Auto. (We will not go by car.)
Comparison using "kein"
It is important to remember that "nicht" is used to negate verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and whole sentences, while "kein" is used to negate nouns.
Examples:
Ich habe kein Buch. (I have no book.) - Negation of a noun.
Ich lese nicht. (I don't read.) - Negation of an action (verb).
Special cases
Sometimes "nicht" is used to negate specific words in a sentence to emphasize that word.
Example:
Ich esse nicht Fisch, sondern Fleisch. (I don't eat fish, but meat.)
The verb "nein" in German is used for categorical negation and is usually translated as "no". It is often used in answers to questions and in short negative statements. Let's take a look at when and how to use "nein" correctly.
The basic rules for using "nein":
1. answers to the questions
"Nein" is most often used to answer questions when we want to say "no". It is the simplest and most direct way of negation.
Examples:
Kommst du mit? (Are you coming with us?)
Nein. (No.)
Hast du das Buch gelesen? (Have you read this book?)
Nein. (No.)
2. Short negative statements
"Nein" is also used in short negative statements when you want to express a negation quickly and clearly.
Examples:
Willst du etwas essen? (Do you want something to eat?)
Nein, danke. (No, thank you.)
Magst du Fußball? (Do you like soccer?)
Nein. (No.)
3. Reinforcing denial
Sometimes "nein" is used with other negative words to strengthen the negation.
Examples:
Nein, ich habe keine Ahnung. (No, I have no idea.)
Nein, das ist nicht wahr. (No, that's not true.)
4. negation of sentences
"Nein" can be used at the beginning of a sentence to express a categorical negation of the entire sentence.
Examples:
Nein, ich gehe nicht zur Party. (No, I'm not going to the party.)
Nein, er hat hat das nicht gemacht. (No, he didn't do that.)
Comparison using "nicht" and "kein"
It is important to understand the difference between "nein", "nicht" and "kein":
"Nein" is used for short negative answers and categorical denials.
"Nicht" is used to negate verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and whole sentences.
"Kein" is used to negate nouns.
Examples:
Willst du kommen? (Do you want to come?)
Nein. (No.) - A short negative answer.
Ich komme nicht. (I will not come.) - Denial of action.
Ich habe kein Geld. (I have no money.) - Negation of a noun.
Special cases
Sometimes "nein" is used in combination with other words to create more complex negative expressions.
Examples:
Nein, leider nicht. (No, unfortunately not.)
Nein, auf keinen Fall. (No, not at all.)
The basic rules for using "nein":
- Answers to questions
- Brief negative statements
- Reinforcing denial
- Denial of offers
1. answers to the questions
"Nein" is most often used to answer questions when we want to say "no". It is the simplest and most direct way of negation.
Examples:
Kommst du mit? (Are you coming with us?)
Nein. (No.)
Hast du das Buch gelesen? (Have you read this book?)
Nein. (No.)
2. Short negative statements
"Nein" is also used in short negative statements when you want to express a negation quickly and clearly.
Examples:
Willst du etwas essen? (Do you want something to eat?)
Nein, danke. (No, thank you.)
Magst du Fußball? (Do you like soccer?)
Nein. (No.)
3. Reinforcing denial
Sometimes "nein" is used with other negative words to strengthen the negation.
Examples:
Nein, ich habe keine Ahnung. (No, I have no idea.)
Nein, das ist nicht wahr. (No, that's not true.)
4. negation of sentences
"Nein" can be used at the beginning of a sentence to express a categorical negation of the entire sentence.
Examples:
Nein, ich gehe nicht zur Party. (No, I'm not going to the party.)
Nein, er hat hat das nicht gemacht. (No, he didn't do that.)
Comparison using "nicht" and "kein"
It is important to understand the difference between "nein", "nicht" and "kein":
"Nein" is used for short negative answers and categorical denials.
"Nicht" is used to negate verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and whole sentences.
"Kein" is used to negate nouns.
Examples:
Willst du kommen? (Do you want to come?)
Nein. (No.) - A short negative answer.
Ich komme nicht. (I will not come.) - Denial of action.
Ich habe kein Geld. (I have no money.) - Negation of a noun.
Special cases
Sometimes "nein" is used in combination with other words to create more complex negative expressions.
Examples:
Nein, leider nicht. (No, unfortunately not.)
Nein, auf keinen Fall. (No, not at all.)
Using the verb Nein
The verb "nein" in German is often used to negate entire sentences, situations or statements. Let's take a look at how exactly "nein" helps to express negation in different contexts.
The main ways to use "nein" for negation:
1. negative answers to questions
"Nein" is used for short negative answers to questions. It is the most direct way to say "no".
Examples:
Bist du fertig?
Nein. (No.)
Hast du das gemacht?
Nein. (No.)
2. denial of allegations
"Nein" can be used to negate statements or statements of the interlocutor. In such cases, "nein" is often accompanied by an explanation or counterargument.
Examples:
Du hast doch das Buch gelesen, oder? (You have read the book, haven't you?)
Nein, ich habe es nicht gelesen. (No, I haven't read it.)
Du magst Pizza, oder?
Nein, ich mag keine Pizza. (No, I don't like pizza.)
3. negation of sentences with explanation
Sometimes "nein" is used at the beginning of a sentence to express a negation followed by an explanation or alternative. This helps to convey the idea more accurately.
Examples:
Nein, ich gehe nicht zur Party, weil ich müde bin. (No, I won't go to the party because I'm tired.)
Nein, er kommt heute nicht, er ist krank. (No, he won't come today, he is sick.)
4. negation in combination with other words
"Nein" can be combined with other words or phrases to create more complex and expressive negation statements. This helps add context and emotion to the negation.
Examples:
Nein, absolut nicht. (No, absolutely not.)
Nein, das stimmt nicht. (No, it's not.)
Nein, auf keinen Fall. (No, not at all.)
The main ways to use "nein" for negation:
- Negative answers to questions
- Denial of allegations
- Negation of sentences with explanation
- Negation in combination with other words
1. negative answers to questions
"Nein" is used for short negative answers to questions. It is the most direct way to say "no".
Examples:
Bist du fertig?
Nein. (No.)
Hast du das gemacht?
Nein. (No.)
2. denial of allegations
"Nein" can be used to negate statements or statements of the interlocutor. In such cases, "nein" is often accompanied by an explanation or counterargument.
Examples:
Du hast doch das Buch gelesen, oder? (You have read the book, haven't you?)
Nein, ich habe es nicht gelesen. (No, I haven't read it.)
Du magst Pizza, oder?
Nein, ich mag keine Pizza. (No, I don't like pizza.)
3. negation of sentences with explanation
Sometimes "nein" is used at the beginning of a sentence to express a negation followed by an explanation or alternative. This helps to convey the idea more accurately.
Examples:
Nein, ich gehe nicht zur Party, weil ich müde bin. (No, I won't go to the party because I'm tired.)
Nein, er kommt heute nicht, er ist krank. (No, he won't come today, he is sick.)
4. negation in combination with other words
"Nein" can be combined with other words or phrases to create more complex and expressive negation statements. This helps add context and emotion to the negation.
Examples:
Nein, absolut nicht. (No, absolutely not.)
Nein, das stimmt nicht. (No, it's not.)
Nein, auf keinen Fall. (No, not at all.)
Negations with the verb Nein
El verbo to pay en inglés: 3 formas
El verbo 'to pay' es una de las palabras clave del inglés que desempeña un papel importante en la comunicación cotidiana.
Cómo utilizar los articuli en alemán: cómo usarlos correctamente
Los artículos en alemán pueden parecer complicados a quienes empiezan a aprender el idioma.
Prepositions with negative meaning
Prepositions with negative meaning in German help us express negation in more complex situations. This is a little different from just "nein" or "nicht". Let's understand how to use these prepositions correctly.
Basic prepositions with negative meaning:
Use of "ohne"
The preposition "ohne" is used to indicate the absence of something. It translates as "without" and helps to express that something is not included or used.
Examples:
Ich trinke Tee ohne Zucker.
Wir gehen ohne ihn. (We're going without him.)
The use of "statt"
The preposition "statt" means "instead of" and is used when we want to say that one thing is being replaced by another.
Examples:
Ich esse Obst statt Süßigkeiten. (I eat fruit instead of sweets.)
Sie liest ein Buch statt fernzusehen. (She reads a book instead of watching TV.)
Use of "außer"
The preposition "außer" is used to indicate exceptions and is translated as "except".
Examples:
Alle kommen zur Party außer mir. (Everyone goes to the party except me.)
Er isst alles außer Fisch. (He eats everything but fish.)
Examples in sentences
Let's look at a few examples to anchor these prepositions in context:
Ohne:
Wir fahren ohne Auto. (We're driving without a car.)
Er geht ohne Mantel raus. (He goes out without a coat.)
Statt:
Sie spielt Klavier statt Gitarre. (She plays the piano instead of the guitar.)
Ich nehme Wasser statt Saft. (I take water instead of juice.)
Außer:
Niemand außer ihm weiß das. (No one but he knows it.).
Wir treffen uns jeden Tag außer Sonntag. (We meet every day except Sunday.)
Remember that prepositions with a negative meaning help make your speech more precise and expressive. They show that something is being eliminated or replaced.
Now that you know how to use prepositions with negative meaning, you will be able to build more complex sentences in German. I hope this information will help you in your studies and communication
Basic prepositions with negative meaning:
- Ohne - without
- Statt - instead of
- Außer - except
Use of "ohne"
The preposition "ohne" is used to indicate the absence of something. It translates as "without" and helps to express that something is not included or used.
Examples:
Ich trinke Tee ohne Zucker.
Wir gehen ohne ihn. (We're going without him.)
The use of "statt"
The preposition "statt" means "instead of" and is used when we want to say that one thing is being replaced by another.
Examples:
Ich esse Obst statt Süßigkeiten. (I eat fruit instead of sweets.)
Sie liest ein Buch statt fernzusehen. (She reads a book instead of watching TV.)
Use of "außer"
The preposition "außer" is used to indicate exceptions and is translated as "except".
Examples:
Alle kommen zur Party außer mir. (Everyone goes to the party except me.)
Er isst alles außer Fisch. (He eats everything but fish.)
Examples in sentences
Let's look at a few examples to anchor these prepositions in context:
Ohne:
Wir fahren ohne Auto. (We're driving without a car.)
Er geht ohne Mantel raus. (He goes out without a coat.)
Statt:
Sie spielt Klavier statt Gitarre. (She plays the piano instead of the guitar.)
Ich nehme Wasser statt Saft. (I take water instead of juice.)
Außer:
Niemand außer ihm weiß das. (No one but he knows it.).
Wir treffen uns jeden Tag außer Sonntag. (We meet every day except Sunday.)
Remember that prepositions with a negative meaning help make your speech more precise and expressive. They show that something is being eliminated or replaced.
Now that you know how to use prepositions with negative meaning, you will be able to build more complex sentences in German. I hope this information will help you in your studies and communication
This website uses cookies to give you the best possible experience.
OK
