keineswegs

By No Means (Keineswegs)

Level 4

keineswegs is a formal adverb used for strong negation. It is the equivalent of 'by no means' or 'in no way' and is much more emphatic than the standard nicht.

How It Works

1. Meaning and Usage
keineswegs is used to provide a strong, often formal, negation. It is frequently used to correct a misconception or to reassure someone. For example, instead of saying 'I am not angry' (Ich bin nicht sauer), saying 'I am by no means angry' (Ich bin keineswegs sauer) adds significant weight to the denial.

2. Sentence Position

  • Before Adjectives: When negating a specific quality, it usually stands directly before the adjective: Das ist keineswegs sicher. (That is by no means certain.)
  • In the Mittelfeld: In a standard sentence, it follows the conjugated verb and any pronoun objects: Er hilft mir keineswegs. (He is by no means helping me.)
  • Position 1 (Emphasis): For extreme emphasis, it can occupy the first position, triggering inversion: Keineswegs bin ich damit einverstanden! (By no means do I agree with that!)
  • Standalone: It can be used as a one-word answer to a question: 'Störe ich?' – 'Keineswegs!' ('Am I disturbing you?' – 'Not at all!')

3. Etymology and Register
The word is a fossilized genitive construction (keines Wegs, literally 'of no way'), which explains the final -s. This expression belongs to formal or elevated German. You will encounter it often in newspapers, academic texts, and professional emails. In casual conversation, Germans are more likely to use gar nicht or überhaupt nicht.

Examples (4)

  1. Die Verhandlungen sind keineswegs gescheitert.

    The negotiations have by no means failed.

    Word by Word: The negotiations are by no means failed.

    Here, 'keineswegs' negates the past participle 'gescheitert' to strongly deny the rumor of failure.

  2. Ich wollte Sie keineswegs beleidigen.

    I by no means intended to offend you.

    Word by Word: I wanted you by no means to offend.

    Used here to provide a strong reassurance that no offense was intended.

  3. Das Ergebnis ist keineswegs überraschend.

    The result is by no means surprising.

    Word by Word: The result is by no means surprising.

    When modifying an adjective like 'überraschend', 'keineswegs' stands directly before it.

  4. Dass er reich ist, bedeutet keineswegs, dass er glücklich ist.

    The fact that he is rich by no means implies that he is happy.

    Word by Word: That he rich is, means by no means, that he happy is.

    This shows 'keineswegs' negating the logical connection between two clauses.

Common Mistakes

  • Attempting to decline the word like an adjective or article.

    Das ist keinewegs ein Problem.
    Das ist keineswegs ein Problem.

    Learners often think 'keineswegs' should change based on the noun, but it is an adverb and is always spelled with the '-es' and '-s' at the end.

  • Adding 'nicht' to 'keineswegs'.

    Ich werde keineswegs nicht dorthin gehen!
    Ich werde keineswegs dorthin gehen!

    'Keineswegs' already means 'by no means'. Adding 'nicht' makes a double negation that does not mean what you want.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

keineswegsLevel 4By No Means (Keineswegs)

Learn This First

To understand 'keineswegs' (by no means), you first need a solid grasp of basic German negation using 'nicht' and 'kein'. Since 'keineswegs' functions as an emphatic adverbial negation, knowing where to place a negative particle in a sentence is crucial for its correct application.

Words in This Pattern

keineswegs