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).
