Master German negation: How to use 'nein', 'nicht', and 'kein/e' correctly

Understanding negation in German can be tricky, especially when faced with three different words that translate to "no": "nein," "nicht," and "kein/e." Many German learners struggle with this concept, but there is no need to worry! By the end of this guide, you'll confidently know when and how to use each term. Plus, don’t forget to download our free worksheet to practice your skills and solidify your understanding.

German negation: 'nein', 'nicht', and 'kein/e'

In German, there are three possibilities to express negation: "nein," "nicht," and "kein/e." Each word has its specific usage; understanding these can significantly improve your German proficiency.

Recommended study materials on the topic:

1. A-Grammar: Practice German grammar German (incl. answers)

2. B-Grammar: Practice German grammar German (incl. answers)

3. German self-study book for A1-B1  (incl. answers)

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1. When to use “nein” in German

"Nein" is used as a direct response to a question, similar to how we use "no" in English. For example:

Q: “Wollen wir morgen Pasta essen?” – (Shall we eat pasta tomorrow?)

A: “Nein. Ich will lieber Pizza essen.” – (No. I prefer to eat pizza.) 

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Remember: "Nein" is used as a direct response to a question, just like "no" in English.

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2. When to use “nicht” in German

In German, we use “nicht” to express the negation of a verb or an adjective. In English, we use “don’t” or “isn’t/aren’t.” Typically, English places “do not” or “is/are not” before the verb or adjective. However, in German, “nicht” is placed after the verb when negating it. This means that you only understand the negation once you've heard the verb and the “nicht” that follows—so practice your patience! :)

When a question starts with the verb, and you want to negate it with “nicht,” the “nicht” remains in the same position where it would typically go, but the verb moves to the first position in the sentence.

If you want to negate an adjective, “nicht” is placed before the adjective.

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Negating a German verb

1. Ich spiele nicht, sondern lerne für den Test. (I do not play but study for the test)

2. Singen die Kinder nicht in der Schule? (Don’t the children sing in school?)

3. Morgen arbeitet mein Vater nicht, wenn er krank ist. (My father does not work tomorrow if he is sick.)

Negating a German adjective

1. Die Kinder sind nicht klein. (The children aren’t small.)

2. Die neuen Autos sind nicht schön. (The new cars aren’t beautiful.)

3. Meine Freundin ist nicht neu in der Klasse. (My friend is not new in the class.)

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Remember: "Nicht" follows the verb and precedes the adjective in German negation.

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3. When to use “kein/e”

In German, we use “kein” or “keine” to negate a noun. The choice between “kein” and “keine” depends on the gender and number of your German noun.

Now, in the plural form, there are no indefinite articles (like in English) because “ein” or “eine” always refer to a single thing. This creates a challenge when trying to express the negation of a noun in the plural. However, the solution is straightforward: since the plural shares the same definite article “die” as the feminine singular form, it often follows the same pattern in German grammar. Therefore, this rule also applies here.

Singular
der	ein Mann	kein Mann
die	eine Frau	keine Frau
das	ein Kind	kein Kind
Plural
die	/ Autos	keine Autos

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Remember: In German, "kein" or "keine" is used to negate a noun, with the choice between them depending on the gender and number.

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The miracle of “nein”, “nicht” and “kein/e”

Now that you've learned when to use "nein," "nicht," and "kein/e," you're ready to tackle German negation with confidence. Practice makes perfect, so don't forget to download the free Worksheet – “How to negate in German and test your skills. If you found this guide helpful, share it with fellow German learners and explore more of our comprehensive German language resources.

Bis bald!

Steffie

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