| 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).
| contact privacy statement imprint |
