Learning how to express negation in German is essential for clear communication. In this complete beginner’s guide, we’ll explain how to use the two most common negative words: nicht and kein. Mastering German negation nicht and kein will help you understand and build negative sentences accurately and naturally.
What Is Negation in German? A Beginner-Friendly Explanation
Negation simply means expressing that something is not true or does not exist. In German, the most common words used to form negatives are nicht (not) and kein (no / not a / not any).
Examples:
- Ich bin nicht müde. – I am not tired. [ˈnɪçt]
- Ich habe kein Auto. – I have no car / I don’t have a car. [kaɪ̯n]
Nicht vs Kein: What’s the Difference?
Nicht is used to negate verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and whole sentences. Kein is used to negate nouns that would otherwise use an indefinite article (like “ein”).
| Used with | nicht | kein |
|---|---|---|
| Verbs | ✔️ | ❌ |
| Adjectives/Adverbs | ✔️ | ❌ |
| Nouns with no article | ❌ | ✔️ |
How and When to Use nicht – With Verbs, Adjectives, and Whole Sentences
nicht usually comes at the end of the sentence or before the element it negates.
- Er spielt nicht. – He is not playing.
- Das ist nicht gut. – That is not good.
- Ich wohne nicht in Berlin. – I do not live in Berlin.
How and When to Use kein – Negating Nouns Without Articles
Use kein when negating nouns that would otherwise have an indefinite article:
- Ich habe kein Buch. – I have no book / I don’t have a book.
- Sie isst keine Suppe. – She eats no soup.
It agrees in gender and number with the noun, like an article.
Negating with Other Words: nie, nichts, niemand, etc.
- nie – never: Ich gehe nie ins Kino. – I never go to the cinema.
- nichts – nothing: Ich sehe nichts. – I see nothing.
- niemand – no one: Niemand ist da. – No one is there.
Negation in German Questions: How to Say “Not Yet”, “No One”, and More
- Hast du das schon gemacht? – Have you done that already?
- Nein, noch nicht. – No, not yet.
- Wer ist da? – Who is there?
- Niemand. – No one.
German Negation with Modal Verbs and Compound Tenses
In sentences with modal verbs or auxiliary verbs, nicht usually comes before the main verb:
- Ich kann nicht kommen. – I cannot come.
- Er hat nicht gearbeitet. – He did not work.
Common Errors Learners Make with nicht and kein
- ❌ Ich habe nicht ein Buch. → ✔️ Ich habe kein Buch.
- ❌ Er ist kein müde. → ✔️ Er ist nicht müde.
Sentence Examples: nicht vs kein in Context
- Ich sehe nicht den Film. – I do not see the movie.
- Ich habe kein Geld. – I have no money.
- Sie spricht kein Englisch. – She speaks no English.
Quick Practice Tips to Master German Negation
- Practice converting positive to negative sentences daily.
- Use flashcards with nicht and kein examples.
- Record yourself using negative sentences.
Quiz: Test Your Understanding of German Negation
Fill in the blanks:
- Ich habe ______ Zeit. (kein / nicht)
- Das ist ______ richtig. (kein / nicht)
- Wir sehen ______ niemanden. (kein / nicht)
Answers: kein, nicht, niemanden
Conclusion: Recap of Rules for Using nicht and kein
To master German negation nicht and kein, remember:
- Use nicht for verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and whole sentences.
- Use kein to negate nouns with indefinite articles.
- Pay attention to word order, and practice regularly.
Negation is a powerful tool in German – once you get it right, your sentence skills improve drastically!