In German, negation is primarily expressed through the words nicht and kein. These simple negations are essential for forming negative sentences and are used differently depending on the context and the type of word being negated.
- Nicht is used to negate verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and entire clauses.
- Kein is used to negate nouns that would otherwise have an indefinite article or are uncountable, and it functions like the negative of "a/an" or "some."
The two main simple negation words in German are 'nicht' and 'kein'.
'Nicht' is used to negate verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and entire clauses.
'Kein' is used to negate nouns with indefinite articles or uncountable nouns.
'Kein' negates noun phrases like 'no' or 'not any.'
Usage of nicht
Nicht is used to negate most parts of speech except for nouns with indefinite articles. It typically follows the element it negates or appears at the end of the sentence to negate the entire clause.
| Usage | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Negating a verb | Ich arbeite nicht. | I do not work. |
| Negating an adjective | Der Film ist nicht gut. | The film is not good. |
| Negating an entire sentence | Ich komme heute nicht. | I am not coming today. |
'Nicht' is used to negate verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and whole clauses.
Nicht is placed at the end to negate the whole sentence.
Usage of kein
Kein replaces the indefinite article (ein/eine) in negation and agrees in gender, number, and case with the noun. It is used for countable nouns with no article and uncountable nouns.
| Gender/Number | Positive Article | Negative (kein) | Example Positive | Example Negative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Masculine | ein | kein | ein Hund (a dog) | kein Hund (no dog) |
| Feminine | eine | keine | eine Katze (a cat) | keine Katze (no cat) |
| Neuter | ein | kein | ein Auto (a car) | kein Auto (no car) |
| Plural | (some) | keine | Hunde (dogs) | keine Hunde (no dogs) |
'Kein' negates nouns by replacing the indefinite article.
'Kein' is used for negating countable nouns without an article and uncountable nouns.
Examples
Nicht
- Ich sehe dich nicht. (I do not see you.)
- Er ist nicht müde. (He is not tired.)
- Wir fahren heute nicht. (We are not driving today.)
Kein
- Ich habe keinen Stift. (I have no pen.)
- Sie trinkt keinen Kaffee. (She doesn't drink coffee.)
- Wir haben keine Zeit. (We have no time.)
'Nicht' is used in 'Das ist nicht richtig.' and 'Ich kann das nicht machen.'
'Kein' is used in 'Ich habe keinen Hund.' and 'Wir haben keine Milch.'
The correct negation is 'Ich habe keine Idee.'
Conclusion
German simple negations revolve around nicht and kein, each serving specific roles in sentence negation.
- nicht: negates verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and entire clauses.
- kein: negates nouns by replacing the indefinite article and adjusts to gender/number.
- Proper usage and placement of nicht and kein are crucial for clear and correct negation in German sentences.