kein / nicht

Choosing Kein or Nicht

Level 1

German uses two main ways to say 'not': kein (for nouns) and nicht (for everything else).

How It Works

Choosing between kein and nicht depends on what you are negating:

1. Use 'kein' when:

  • The noun has an indefinite article (ein/eine). Example: Ich habe ein Buch → Ich habe kein Buch.
  • The noun has no article (zero article), including plural nouns. Example: Ich habe Zeit → Ich habe keine Zeit.
  • Declension: Remember that kein must change its ending to match the gender and case of the noun, just like ein (e.g., kein, keine, keinen).

2. Use 'nicht' when:

  • Negating a verb, adjective, or adverb.
  • Negating a noun with a definite article (der, die, das) or a possessive pronoun (mein).
  • Negating proper names or prepositional phrases.
  • Fixed Expressions: Use nicht for fixed noun-verb combinations where the noun acts like part of the verb (e.g., Ich kann nicht Klavier spielen).

Word Order:
Kein always stands before the noun. Nicht usually stands before the specific element it negates. However, in a sentence bracket, nicht must stand before the second part of the verb complex, such as a separable prefix, an infinitive, or a past participle.

Examples (6)

  1. Ich habe kein Geld.

    I have no money.

    Word by Word: I have no money.

    We use 'kein' because 'Geld' has no article in the positive version. It follows the same pattern as ein.

  2. Das ist nicht mein Auto.

    That is not my car.

    Word by Word: That is not my car.

    We use 'nicht' because the noun 'Auto' is already defined by the possessive mein.

  3. Er spielt nicht.

    He is not playing.

    Word by Word: He plays not.

    We use 'nicht' to negate the verb 'spielt'.

  4. Ich möchte keine Pizza.

    I don't want any pizza.

    Word by Word: I want no pizza.

    We use 'keine' (feminine) because 'Pizza' would normally take the indefinite article eine.

  5. Der Kaffee ist nicht heiß.

    The coffee is not hot.

    Word by Word: The coffee is not hot.

    We use 'nicht' to negate the adjective 'heiß'.

  6. Ich rufe heute nicht an.

    I am not calling today.

    Word by Word: I call today not at.

    With separable verbs, 'nicht' stands before the prefix at the end.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'nicht' to negate a noun that has no article.

    Ich habe nicht Zeit.
    Ich habe keine Zeit.

    In German, if you are negating a noun that doesn't have 'the' or 'my' in front of it, you usually use 'kein'.

  • Forgetting to decline 'kein' for masculine accusative.

    Ich habe kein Hund.
    Ich habe keinen Hund.

    Since 'kein' acts like an article, it must take the '-en' ending for masculine nouns in the accusative case.

How It Connects

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kein / nichtLevel 1Choosing Kein or Nicht

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This comparison explains when to use nicht versus related patterns.

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