Making Sentences Negative in German

This section explains Making Sentences Negative in German. In German, there are a few ways to make a sentence negative, depending on what exactly you want to negate. The most common ways to negate a sentence are using the words "nicht" (not) and "kein/keine" (no/none). These are used in different contexts, and it’s important to understand when and how to use them.

Using "nicht" – "Not"

"Nicht" is the most common word used for negating verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and entire sentences. It is equivalent to "not" in English. The position of "nicht" in a sentence depends on what you are negating.

Position of "nicht":

Negating a verb:
When negating a verb, "nicht" usually comes after the conjugated verb.

• Example:
  • Ich esse nicht.
    (I do not eat.)
    • Sie geht nicht zur Schule.
      (She does not go to school.)
  • Example:
    • Der Film ist nicht gut.
      (The film is not good.)
    • Er fährt nicht schnell.
      (He doesn't drive fast.)
  • Example:
    • Ich kann nicht schwimmen.
      (I cannot swim.)
    • Er hat das nicht verstanden.
      (He did not understand that.)
  • Ich habe keinen Hund.
    (I do not have a dog.)
  • Er trinkt keinen Kaffee.
    (He does not drink coffee.)
  • Ich habe keine Zeit.
    (I do not have time.)
  • Sie kauft keine Äpfel.
    (She does not buy apples.)
  • Ich habe kein Geld.
    (I do not have money.)
  • Es gibt kein Problem.
    (There is no problem.)
  • Ich habe keine Bücher.
    (I do not have any books.)
  • Sie haben keine Freunde.
    (They do not have any friends.)

Negating an adjective or adverb:
If you are negating an adjective or an adverb, "nicht" comes directly before the adjective or adverb.

Negating a whole sentence:
If you want to negate the entire sentence, "nicht" typically goes at the end of the sentence.

Using "kein/keine" – "No" / "None"

"Kein" (for masculine and neuter nouns) and "keine" (for feminine and plural nouns) are used to negate nouns, meaning "no" or "none." They replace the indefinite article "ein" (a/an) and its forms (eine, einen) when negating nouns.

Forms of "kein/keine":

Examples:

Negating Masculine Singular Nouns:

Negating Feminine Singular Nouns:

Negating Neuter Singular Nouns:

Negating Plural Nouns:

"Nicht" vs. "Kein/Keine" – When to Use Each

• "Nicht" is used to negate verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and entire sentences.
• "Kein/keine" is used to negate nouns (when you want to say "no" or "none of something"). It replaces the indefinite article "ein" (a/an) and is used with countable or uncountable nouns in the singular and plural.
  • Ich bin nicht müde.
    (I am not tired.)
  • Er spricht nicht gut Deutsch.
    (He does not speak good German.)
  • Wir haben keine Zeit.
    (We do not have time.)
  • Ich habe keinen Bleistift.
    (I do not have a pencil.)
  • Sie kauft keine Äpfel.
    (She does not buy apples.)
  • Es gibt keine Socken.
    (There are no socks.)
  • Ich habe das Buch nicht gelesen.
    (I have not read the book.)
  • Wir können nicht nach Hause gehen.
    (We cannot go home.)
  • Sie spricht nicht oft mit uns.
    (She does not speak to us often.)
  • Es gibt keine guten Filme im Kino.
    (There are no good films at the cinema.)
  • Wir haben keinen Appetit.
    (We have no appetite.)
  • Er hat keine Idee.
    (He has no idea.)
  • When negating verbs, "nicht" goes after the conjugated verb.
  • When negating adjectives or adverbs, "nicht" is placed before them.
  • When negating an entire sentence, "nicht" usually comes at the end.
  • "Kein/keine" replaces "ein/eine" and is used for negating nouns.
  • It agrees in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies (e.g., keinen for masculine accusative, keine for feminine singular, keine for plural).

Foundation Tier Examples:

Negating with "nicht":

Negating with "kein/keine":

Higher Tier Examples:

Negating with "nicht":

Negating with "kein/keine":

Important Notes:

Position of "nicht":

Position of "kein/keine":

Summary:

• "Nicht" is used to negate verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and entire sentences, meaning "not."
• "Kein/keine" is used to negate nouns (meaning "no" or "none"), replacing the indefinite article.
• The position of "nicht" depends on what is being negated, while "kein/keine" directly replaces the indefinite article.