Verneinung mit nicht/kein
Negation — for English Speakers
Introduction
English has one main negation word: 'not'. German splits this into two: nicht (not) for verbs and adjectives, and kein (no/not a) for nouns with ein or no article. The tricky part for English speakers is choosing between them and knowing where nicht goes in the sentence — it doesn't always sit right next to the verb.
German vs English
In German
Das ist nicht gut. (nicht negates adjective)
In English
That is not good. (not negates adjective)
Key Difference
Nicht works like 'not' for adjectives and verbs — this part is familiar.
In German
Ich habe kein Auto. (kein replaces ein)
In English
I don't have a car. / I have no car.
Key Difference
German uses kein instead of nicht + ein. You can't say 'Ich habe nicht ein Auto'.
Common Mistakes for English Speakers
Ich habe nicht ein Auto.
Translating 'not a' literally as 'nicht ein' instead of using kein.
Ich nicht verstehe.
Placing nicht before the verb like English 'I not understand' instead of after it.
Practice Examples
Ich bin nicht müde.
I'm not tired.
Sie hat keinen Bruder.
She doesn't have a brother.
Wir kommen heute nicht.
We're not coming today.
Memory Tip
If you can replace 'ein' — use kein. If there's no 'ein' to replace — use nicht.
View Grammar Rule
Verneinung mit nicht/kein
Negation — A1
Practice Exercises
Verneinung mit nicht/kein Übungen
7 exercises
Other Languages
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