In German, negation is used to make a sentence negative, similar to saying "not" or "no" in English. The two main words for negation are nicht and kein.
- Nicht is used to negate verbs, adjectives, adverbs, or entire sentences. It usually comes at the end of the sentence or before the word it negates.
- Kein is used to negate nouns that have an indefinite article (ein) or no article. It means "no" or "not any" and declines like the indefinite article.
Negating a sentence:
- Ich spreche Deutsch. (I speak German.)
- Ich spreche nicht Deutsch. (I do not speak German.)
Negating a noun:
- Ich habe einen Hund. (I have a dog.)
- Ich habe keinen Hund. (I have no dog.)
Understanding these basics allows you to form simple negative statements in German.
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Table of Contents
- Simple Negations (nicht, kein)
Simple negations in German using 'nicht' and 'kein', including when to use each and examples for negating sentences, nouns, and verbs.
- Double Negatives
Double negatives in German, explaining how two negative words are used together for emphasis or correctness.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
