kein/keine
Negative Article
Use kein to say 'no', 'not a', or 'not any' when talking about nouns. It is the negative version of ein/eine.
How It Works
In German, you don't usually use nicht to negate a noun if that noun is indefinite. Instead, you use kein.
When to use kein:
- With nouns that would use the indefinite article ein/eine (e.g., ein Hund → kein Hund).
- With nouns that have no article, such as mass nouns (e.g., Brot → kein Brot) or plural nouns (e.g., Kinder → keine Kinder).
Declension (Endings):
Kein follows the 'ein-word' declension pattern across the four cases:
- Nominative: kein (M), keine (F), kein (N), keine (Pl)
- Accusative: keinen (M), keine (F), kein (N), keine (Pl)
- Dative: keinem (M), keiner (F), keinem (N), keinen (Pl + n)
- Genitive: keines (M), keiner (F), keines (N), keiner (Pl)
Kein as a Pronoun:
When kein stands alone to replace a noun (e.g., "Hast du einen Hund?" – "Nein, ich habe keinen"), it acts as a pronoun. In these cases, the masculine nominative becomes keiner and the neuter nominative/accusative becomes keines (or keins).
Examples (5)
- Ich habe kein Auto.
I have no car / I don't have a car.
Word by Word: I have no car.
Since 'Auto' is neuter and in the accusative case here, we use 'kein' (matching the 'ein' pattern).
- Das ist keine gute Idee.
That is not a good idea.
Word by Word: That is no good idea.
'Idee' is feminine, so we add the -e ending to get 'keine'.
- Wir haben keine Kinder.
We have no children.
Word by Word: We have no children.
This shows the plural use of 'keine'. The word 'ein' cannot be plural, but 'kein' can.
- Er trinkt keinen Kaffee.
He doesn't drink coffee.
Word by Word: He drinks no coffee.
'Kaffee' is masculine. In the accusative case (the object of drinking), 'kein' becomes 'keinen'.
- Ich habe keine Ahnung.
I have no idea.
Word by Word: I have no idea.
A very common idiomatic expression using the feminine negative article.
Common Mistakes
Using 'nicht' instead of 'kein' for indefinite nouns.
Ich habe nicht ein Buch.Ich habe kein Buch.While 'nicht ein' can be used for extreme emphasis ('not a single one'), 'kein' is the standard way to negate a noun with an indefinite article.
Forgetting the accusative ending for masculine nouns.
Ich habe kein Hund.Ich habe keinen Hund.Because 'Hund' is masculine and the direct object, 'kein' must take the accusative ending -en.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand 'kein/keine', you must first be familiar with the indefinite article 'ein/eine' because 'kein' functions as its negative counterpart and uses the same endings. Additionally, knowledge of noun gender is required to select the correct form for the noun you wish to negate.
Related Patterns
- nichtNegation with Nicht
Nicht is used to negate verbs and adjectives, while kein is used for indefinite nouns.
Level 1 - kein / nichtChoosing Kein or Nicht
This guide explains the specific rules for choosing between these two types of negation.
Level 1 - Accusative Case Articles
Kein follows the same case ending patterns as other articles in the accusative.
Level 1 - mein/dein/seinPossessive Pronouns Singular
Possessive pronouns use the exact same endings as kein.
Level 1
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice kein/keine in Bubblegum
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