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     Table of Contents Chapter 12 12.4 Negation with keiner and nicht
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Chapter 12: Negation in German

  12.4 Negation with keiner and nicht


As we have noticed before, the Germans have the capability to make simple things a lot more difficult. The negation is actually no exception from this rule. If you might wonder what can be done difficult in saying NO, well then have a look at these phrases.

Ich esse den Apfel nicht. = I do not eat the apple.
Ich habe kein Geld. = I do not have money.

What actually is the reason that we can't say:

INCORRECT: Ich habe Geld nicht. = I do not have money.

Let's check some other examples to see what actually the difference is:

Ich lese dieses Buch nicht. = I do not read this book.
Ich lese keine Bücher. = I do not read books.

Ich gebe ihm das Buch nicht. = I do not give him the book.
Ich gebe ihm kein Buch. = I do not give him any book.

There are four sentences and two are negated with nicht and two with kein. Let's see whether we find a rule for the German way (because however weird it seems to you there is no way of changing or ignoring it).

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