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B1 noun #3,000 الأكثر شيوعاً 16 دقيقة للقراءة

weder... noch...

الأكثر شيوعاً #3,000

تدرّب عليها أمثلة ملاحظات ونصائح weder... noch... في 30 ثانية

الشرح weder... noch... in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are just starting to learn how to say 'no' in German. You usually learn 'nicht' (not) and 'kein' (no/none). While 'weder... noch...' is a bit advanced for A1, you can think of it as a way to say 'no' to two things at once. Instead of saying 'Ich trinke keinen Kaffee. Ich trinke keinen Tee,' you can say 'Ich trinke weder Kaffee noch Tee.' It is like a shortcut. At this stage, just try to remember that 'weder' and 'noch' always go together like best friends. You use 'weder' before the first thing you don't like, and 'noch' before the second thing. Don't worry about complex grammar yet; just focus on linking two simple nouns like 'Apfel' and 'Birne'. It helps you sound a little more organized when you talk about things you don't have or don't want.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the A2 level, you are building longer sentences. You already know how to use 'und' and 'oder'. The construction 'weder... noch...' is the negative version of 'sowohl... als auch...' (both... and...). At this level, you should practice using it to link adjectives and verbs as well as nouns. For example, 'Der Film war weder gut noch schlecht.' This allows you to give more nuanced opinions. You should also start noticing where 'weder' and 'noch' are placed in the sentence. Usually, they wrap around the words they are negating. A common mistake at A2 is using 'nicht' with 'weder'. Remember: 'weder' already means 'not', so you don't need 'nicht'. It's a very clean way to express that two options are off the table.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the B1 level, 'weder... noch...' is a core part of your grammar requirements. You are expected to use 'Doppelkonjunktionen' (double conjunctions) to show that you can handle complex sentence structures. At this level, you should be comfortable using 'weder... noch...' to link full clauses, not just single words. You also need to pay attention to word order (Satzbau). If you start a sentence with 'Weder', the verb must come next: 'Weder habe ich Zeit noch habe ich Geld.' This is called inversion. B1 is also where you learn to use this construction in professional contexts, like writing a polite refusal in an email. You are moving beyond simple 'yes/no' and into the territory of logical coordination, which is essential for passing B1 exams.

At the B2 level, you should use 'weder... noch...' with precision and variety. You should be able to use it to negate three or more items by adding extra 'noch's: 'Weder die Kosten, noch der Zeitaufwand, noch die technischen Risiken sind akzeptabel.' You are also expected to understand the subtle difference in tone between 'weder... noch...' and more informal alternatives. At B2, you should focus on 'Subjekt-Verb-Kongruenz' (subject-verb agreement). If you have two singular subjects linked by 'weder... noch...', do you use a singular or plural verb? While both can be correct, knowing when to use each for stylistic effect is a B2 skill. Your use of this construction should feel natural and help your speech and writing flow better without repetitive negations.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the C1 level, 'weder... noch...' is a tool for stylistic refinement. You use it to create rhetorical balance and emphasis in academic essays or formal speeches. You might use it to express abstract concepts or philosophical exclusions: 'Weder die Vernunft noch das Gefühl allein können diese Frage beantworten.' At this level, you should be aware of how 'weder... noch...' interacts with other complex grammatical structures, such as the subjunctive (Konjunktiv) or passive voice. You should also be able to recognize it in high-level literature where the word order might be more flexible for poetic effect. Your mastery should be such that you can use it to structure entire arguments, ruling out competing hypotheses in a logical, step-by-step manner.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the C2 level, you have a near-native command of 'weder... noch...'. You understand its historical roots and its place within the broader system of German correlative conjunctions. You can use it in highly sophisticated ways, such as in legal or diplomatic language where every word must be exact. You might use it to create deliberate ambiguity or, conversely, absolute clarity in a literary context. You are also sensitive to the rhythmic and melodic qualities it brings to a sentence. At this stage, you don't even think about the rules; you use 'weder... noch...' as an instrument to convey subtle shades of meaning, whether you are writing a philosophical treatise, a legal brief, or a complex piece of fiction. It is no longer just a grammar point, but a part of your stylistic identity in German.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

تدرّب عليها أمثلة ملاحظات ونصائح

weder... noch... في 30 ثانية

A double conjunction meaning 'neither... nor...' used for simultaneous negation.
Links nouns, adjectives, verbs, or entire clauses with a formal and balanced tone.
Requires verb inversion if 'weder' is the first word in the sentence.
Eliminates the need for additional negative words like 'nicht' or 'kein'.

The German correlative conjunction weder... noch... is a sophisticated double-part connector used to express a double negation. In English, this translates directly to neither... nor.... It is a vital tool for learners reaching the B1 level because it allows for more efficient and elegant sentence structures, replacing two separate negative sentences with one cohesive thought. Instead of saying 'I do not like tea' and 'I do not like coffee,' one can state 'I like neither tea nor coffee.' This construction is not merely a grammatical convenience; it reflects a level of linguistic maturity where the speaker can categorize and dismiss multiple options simultaneously. In German, this structure is frequently used in both spoken and written contexts, though it carries a slightly more formal or precise tone than using simple negations like 'kein' or 'nicht' multiple times. It is particularly common when discussing preferences, requirements, or availability where multiple criteria are being rejected.

Syntactic Function: It functions as a multi-part conjunction that links two equivalent grammatical elements, such as two nouns, two adjectives, or two entire clauses.

Ich habe weder Zeit noch Lust auf diesen Film.

Understanding the word order is crucial. When weder appears at the beginning of a sentence, it often occupies the first position, which means the inflected verb must follow immediately in the second position. However, when it links objects or adjectives within a sentence, the standard word order remains largely unaffected. This flexibility makes it a versatile tool for emphasizing what is being excluded. For instance, placing 'weder' at the start of the sentence highlights the total rejection of the following options. In professional German, this is often seen in contractual language or formal emails where constraints are being defined. For example, 'The product is neither waterproof nor shockproof' becomes 'Das Produkt ist weder wasserdicht noch stoßfest.' This clarity is highly valued in technical and legal German where ambiguity must be avoided at all costs.

Negation Logic: Unlike English, where 'neither' can sometimes stand alone as a pronoun, 'weder' in German almost always requires its partner 'noch' to complete the logical circuit of the sentence.

Das Wetter war weder sonnig noch warm.

In everyday conversation, Germans might use this to express frustration or a complete lack of options. If someone asks if you want to go to the cinema or the park, and you are exhausted, responding with 'Ich möchte weder ins Kino noch in den Park gehen' sounds much more definitive and articulate than simply saying 'Nein'. It shows a command of the language's logical connectors. Furthermore, the use of weder... noch... allows for a rhythmic quality in speech. It creates a balanced sentence structure that is pleasing to the ear, often used in literature and oratory to build a sense of finality or comprehensive exclusion. Historically, these correlative conjunctions have evolved from older Germanic forms of negation, and while they have become more standardized in modern High German, their core function of providing a 'double no' has remained consistent for centuries.

Weder der Chef noch die Mitarbeiter wussten von dem Problem.

Register and Tone: While perfectly acceptable in casual speech, it shines in formal writing where it provides a structure that 'nicht... und auch nicht...' cannot match in terms of brevity and impact.

Er konnte weder lesen noch schreiben.

In summary, mastering weder... noch... is a gateway to more complex German expression. It allows you to group negative information logically, maintain a clear sentence flow, and sound more like a native speaker who understands the nuances of grammatical coordination. Whether you are describing a person who is neither tall nor short, or a situation that is neither good nor bad, this conjunction pair is your best tool for precise negation.

Using weder... noch... correctly involves understanding its role as a coordinator. It can link various parts of speech, and the placement of the verb is the most critical aspect to master. When you use weder... noch... to link objects, adjectives, or adverbs, the sentence structure remains standard. For example, in the sentence 'Ich trinke weder Kaffee noch Tee,' 'weder' and 'noch' act as markers around the direct objects. The verb 'trinke' stays in the second position, and the subject 'Ich' stays in the first. This is the most straightforward usage and is common in daily life when expressing dislikes or unavailability. It is important to note that you do not need an additional 'nicht' or 'kein' because weder already contains the negative force. Adding another negative would result in a double negative, which is grammatically incorrect in standard German.

Linking Nouns: When linking two nouns as objects, place 'weder' before the first noun and 'noch' before the second. Example: Er hat weder ein Auto noch ein Fahrrad.

Sie spricht weder Englisch noch Französisch.

A more complex scenario arises when weder starts the sentence. If 'weder' is in position 1, the verb must follow immediately in position 2. This is often done for rhetorical emphasis. For example: 'Weder habe ich das Geld, noch habe ich die Zeit.' Notice how the verb 'habe' comes right after 'weder' and also right after 'noch' when full clauses are being linked. This inversion is a common stumbling block for English speakers who are used to the 'Neither do I have...' structure. In German, the symmetry is maintained. If you are linking two subjects, the verb usually follows the plural rule if both subjects are being considered together, but often matches the subject closest to it. For example: 'Weder mein Vater noch meine Mutter kommen' (Plural) vs. 'Weder mein Vater noch meine Mutter kommt' (Singular). Both are seen, but plural is increasingly common in modern usage to reflect that both people are absent.

Linking Adjectives: Use it to negate qualities. Example: Der Test war weder einfach noch kurz.

Der Film war weder lustig noch spannend.

When linking verbs, weder... noch... can describe a state of total inaction. 'Er wollte weder essen noch trinken.' Here, the modal verb 'wollte' governs both infinitives. This structure is very common in narrative writing to describe a character's refusal or inability to act. Another important rule is the use of commas. Generally, if you are only linking words or phrases (like two nouns or two adjectives), you do not need a comma before 'noch'. However, if you are linking two complete independent clauses, a comma is required before 'noch' to separate the thoughts. This mirrors the comma rules for 'und' and 'oder'. Mastering these subtle punctuation and word order rules will significantly elevate your writing from basic to intermediate-advanced levels.

Weder wollte er gehen, noch wollte er bleiben.

Multiple Items: You can extend the list by adding more 'noch' components. Example: Weder heute, noch morgen, noch nächste Woche habe ich Zeit.

Finally, consider the semantic range. Weder... noch... is often used in philosophical or scientific contexts to define what something is NOT. In a scientific paper, one might write: 'Die Substanz ist weder flüssig noch gasförmig.' This precision is why the construction is so pervasive in German academic discourse. It provides a clear, binary (or tertiary) exclusion that leaves no room for misunderstanding. By practicing these different structures—linking nouns, adjectives, verbs, and whole clauses—you will find that weder... noch... becomes a natural part of your German repertoire, allowing you to express complex negative relationships with ease and accuracy.

In the real world, weder... noch... is heard in a variety of settings, ranging from the very formal to the surprisingly mundane. In the workplace, you will frequently encounter it during meetings or in emails when options are being ruled out. A project manager might say, 'Wir haben weder das Budget noch das Personal für dieses Projekt.' This usage is efficient and professional. It conveys a clear 'no' to two different constraints in a single breath. If you are listening to German news or reading a newspaper like Die Zeit or Der Spiegel, you will see this construction used to analyze political situations. Journalists often use it to describe a state of deadlock, such as 'Weder die Regierung noch die Opposition sind bereit, Kompromisse einzugehen.' Here, it highlights the binary nature of a conflict, emphasizing that neither side is moving.

Formal Settings: Used in legal contracts, official announcements, and academic lectures to provide precise exclusions.

Das Unternehmen übernimmt weder Haftung für Schäden noch für Verluste.

In more casual environments, you might hear it when someone is being particularly emphatic about their preferences or lack of resources. Imagine a group of friends trying to decide on a restaurant. One person might say, 'Ich habe weder Hunger auf Pizza noch auf Sushi.' While they could just say 'Ich will keine Pizza und kein Sushi,' using weder... noch... adds a touch of decisiveness. It sounds like the person has truly considered both and rejected both. You will also hear it in German literature and poetry. Because of its rhythmic, balanced nature, it is a favorite of writers who want to create a sense of absence or emptiness. A novelist might describe a desolate landscape: 'Es gab dort weder Bäume noch Wasser.' This creates a more poetic and absolute image than simple negation. It paints a picture of total lack.

Media and Arts: Common in song lyrics and movie dialogue to express deep disappointment or a lack of choices.

In diesem Lied geht es um einen Mann, der weder Heimat noch Hoffnung hat.

Another place you will frequently encounter this is in educational settings. Teachers use it to clarify rules or definitions. 'Dieses Wort ist weder ein Nomen noch ein Verb.' By using this structure, the teacher provides a clear boundary for the concept being taught. Even in sports commentary, you might hear it when a team is performing poorly: 'Sie hatten heute weder Glück noch Verstand.' It serves as a comprehensive critique. As you go about your day in a German-speaking country, pay attention to public announcements as well. At a train station, you might hear, 'Weder der ICE noch der Regionalzug haben heute Verspätung' (a rare but pleasant occurrence!). This shows how the construction is integrated into the very fabric of daily communication, providing a logical framework for reporting the absence of multiple things.

Der Zug hielt weder in Köln noch in Bonn.

Technical Documentation: Used to specify that a device requires neither batteries nor an external power supply.

In conclusion, while weder... noch... might seem like a 'bookish' construction at first, it is deeply embedded in the way Germans think and speak. It is a tool of precision, emphasis, and balance. Whether you are in a boardroom, a classroom, or a cafe, you will hear this double-negation echoing through the language, helping people define their world by what is missing or excluded. Learning to recognize and use it will make your German sound more authentic and intellectually engaged.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with weder... noch... is the 'double negation' error. In English, we sometimes say 'I don't have neither...' in non-standard dialects, but in German, weder and noch already carry the full weight of negation. Therefore, you must never include 'nicht' or 'kein' in the same clause. For example, saying 'Ich habe nicht weder Zeit noch Geld' is a major grammatical error. The correct form is simply 'Ich habe weder Zeit noch Geld.' This mistake often stems from a lack of confidence in the power of the correlative conjunction itself. Learners feel they need to add a 'not' to make it clear they are negating, but the 'weder' does all the work. It is essentially 'not-either... nor'.

Double Negation: Avoid adding 'nicht' or 'kein'. Weder/noch are sufficient on their own to negate the entire thought.

Falsch: Ich habe kein weder Brot noch Wasser.

Another common pitfall is word order, especially when weder is used at the start of a sentence. Because German is a verb-second (V2) language, if 'weder' occupies the first position, the verb must come second. Many learners mistakenly follow the English word order: 'Weder ich habe Zeit...' (Incorrect) instead of 'Weder habe ich Zeit...' (Correct). This inversion is essential. Furthermore, when linking two full clauses, learners often forget that 'noch' can also trigger an inversion in the second clause if it's treated as a connector that occupies position 1 of that new clause. For example: 'Weder hat er angerufen, noch hat er eine Nachricht geschickt.' The verb 'hat' appears immediately after 'noch'. This symmetry is what makes the construction sound 'German'.

Verb Agreement: When using two singular subjects, learners are often unsure whether to use a singular or plural verb. While singular is grammatically defensible, plural is often preferred in modern German.

Richtig: Weder der Hund noch die Katze sind im Garten.

A third mistake involves the misuse of commas. In German, you generally do not put a comma before 'noch' if it's just connecting words or phrases (e.g., 'weder rot noch blau'). However, learners often reflexively put commas everywhere. Conversely, when connecting two independent clauses, a comma IS required. Mastering this 'comma or no comma' rule depends on identifying whether you are linking words or whole thoughts. Lastly, some learners try to use 'weder' as a standalone word like 'neither' in the sentence 'Neither of them came.' In German, you cannot say 'Weder von ihnen kamen.' You would use 'Keiner von ihnen kam.' Weder almost always functions as a pair with noch. It is a correlative conjunction, not a pronoun.

Falsch: Weder von den Schülern hat die Hausaufgaben gemacht.

Misusing as a Pronoun: Remember that 'weder' is a conjunction. Use 'keiner/niemand' if you need a negative pronoun.

To avoid these mistakes, think of weder... noch... as a balanced scale. Whatever you put on one side (after 'weder'), you must balance on the other (after 'noch'). Keep the structure symmetrical, avoid extra negatives, and always ensure your verb is in the correct position. With these rules in mind, you will avoid the most common traps and use this elegant construction like a pro.

While weder... noch... is the most direct way to say 'neither... nor...', there are several other ways to express negation and exclusion in German. The most common alternative is using nicht... und auch nicht.... This is more informal and slightly wordier. For example, instead of 'Er ist weder reich noch berühmt,' you could say 'Er ist nicht reich und auch nicht berühmt.' This second version is very common in spoken German and feels less structured. Another alternative for negating nouns is kein... und auch kein.... For instance: 'Ich habe kein Auto und auch kein Fahrrad.' This is the standard way to express a lack of things in a more casual, step-by-step manner. Weder... noch..., by contrast, feels like a pre-planned, unified statement.

weder... noch... vs. nicht... und auch nicht...: Weder... noch... is more formal and concise. Nicht... und auch nicht... is more common in spontaneous speech.

Alternative: Er spricht nicht Spanisch und auch nicht Italienisch.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, we have sowohl... als auch..., which means 'both... and...'. This is the positive counterpart to weder... noch.... If you want to say you like both things, you use this construction: 'Ich mag sowohl Kaffee als auch Tee.' Learning these two together is very helpful because they follow the same grammatical rules regarding symmetry and structure. Another related pair is nicht nur... sondern auch... (not only... but also...). This is used for emphasis. While weder... noch... excludes both options, nicht nur... sondern auch... includes both and highlights the second one. Understanding the relationship between these 'paired conjunctions' (Doppelkonjunktionen) is key to mastering German logic and flow.

Comparison of Paired Conjunctions

weder... noch...: Double negation (Neither/nor)
entweder... oder...: Alternative (Either/or)
sowohl... als auch...: Double inclusion (Both/and)
nicht nur... sondern auch...: Emphatic inclusion (Not only/but also)

Gegenteil: Wir haben sowohl Zeit als auch Geld.

For those looking for a very formal or archaic alternative, you might occasionally see noch... noch... used in older literature, but this is extremely rare today. In modern legal German, you might see ebensowenig... wie..., which means 'just as little as'. For example: 'Er hat ebensowenig Ahnung wie sein Bruder.' This emphasizes the equality of the lack of knowledge. However, for 99% of situations where you need to reject two options, weder... noch... is your best choice. It is the gold standard for clear, balanced negation. When choosing between weder... noch... and its alternatives, consider your audience. In a university essay or a business report, weder... noch... is preferred. In a casual chat with friends over a beer, nicht... und auch nicht... might sound more relaxed.

Informell: Ich will keinen Saft und auch keine Limo.

Choosing the Right Word: Think about the 'weight' of the sentence. Weder... noch... adds weight and finality. Simple negation with 'und' is lighter and more conversational.

By understanding these nuances, you can tailor your German to the specific context you are in. Whether you are aiming for the precision of weder... noch... or the ease of nicht... und auch nicht..., knowing your options allows you to express negation with clarity and style.

How Formal Is It?

حقيقة ممتعة

In Old High German, 'weder' was actually the word for 'whether'. The negative meaning was added later by combining it with other particles, eventually becoming the 'neither' we know today.

دليل النطق

UK /ˈveːdɐ ... nɔx/

US /ˈveɪdər ... nɔk/

The stress is on the first syllable of 'weder' (WE-der) and on the single syllable 'noch'.

يتقافى مع

Jeder Leder Feder Räder Doch Loch Koch Joch

أخطاء شائعة

Pronouncing 'w' like an English 'w' instead of a 'v'.
Pronouncing 'ch' in 'noch' like 'k' or 'sh'. It should be a guttural sound.
Over-emphasizing the 'r' at the end of 'weder'.
Failing to give 'noch' its full vowel weight.
Mixing up the vowel in 'weder' with 'wider' (long 'e' vs long 'i').

مستوى الصعوبة

القراءة 3/5

Easy to recognize in text as the two parts stand out.

الكتابة 5/5

Requires attention to word order and symmetry.

التحدث 6/5

Inversion after 'weder' at the start of a sentence is tricky in real-time.

الاستماع 3/5

Usually easy to hear because of the distinct 'n' sound in 'noch'.

ماذا تتعلّم بعد ذلك

المتطلبات الأساسية

nicht kein und oder aber

تعلّم لاحقاً

sowohl... als auch... entweder... oder... nicht nur... sondern auch... zwar... aber... einerseits... andererseits...

متقدم

geschweige denn ungeachtet dessen nichtsdestoweniger beziehungsweise demzufolge

قواعد يجب معرفتها

Verb Position

Weder habe ich Zeit noch Lust. (Verb in position 2 after 'Weder' in position 1).

Symmetry

Er ist weder reich noch berühmt. (Adjective + Adjective).

Comma usage

Er wollte weder gehen noch bleiben. (No comma for words/phrases).

Multiple elements

Weder heute, noch morgen, noch übermorgen. (Comma used for lists of 3+).

Subject-Verb Agreement

Weder er noch ich haben Zeit. (Plural often used with different persons).

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

أمثلة حسب المستوى

Ich trinke weder Cola noch Fanta.

I drink neither Cola nor Fanta.

Simple negation of two nouns.

Er hat weder einen Hund noch eine Katze.

He has neither a dog nor a cat.

Using 'weder... noch...' with direct objects.

Das ist weder mein Buch noch dein Buch.

That is neither my book nor your book.

Negating possessive pronouns.

Wir essen weder Fleisch noch Fisch.

We eat neither meat nor fish.

Common dietary preference expression.

Sie heißt weder Anna noch Maria.

Her name is neither Anna nor Maria.

Negating proper nouns.

Das Wetter ist weder warm noch kalt.

The weather is neither warm nor cold.

Negating adjectives.

Ich habe weder Zeit noch Geld.

I have neither time nor money.

A very common idiomatic phrase.

Er spricht weder Deutsch noch Englisch.

He speaks neither German nor English.

Negating language skills.

Der Film war weder lustig noch spannend.

The movie was neither funny nor exciting.

Linking two adjectives describing an experience.

Ich möchte weder ins Kino noch ins Theater gehen.

I want to go neither to the cinema nor to the theater.

Linking two prepositional phrases.

Er kann weder schwimmen noch Rad fahren.

He can neither swim nor ride a bike.

Linking two infinitive verb phrases with a modal verb.

Meine Wohnung ist weder groß noch teuer.

My apartment is neither big nor expensive.

Describing properties of a noun.

Weder mein Bruder noch meine Schwester kommen heute.

Neither my brother nor my sister are coming today.

Linking two subjects at the start of a sentence.

Das Kleid ist weder blau noch grün.

The dress is neither blue nor green.

Negating colors.

Sie arbeitet weder am Samstag noch am Sonntag.

She works neither on Saturday nor on Sunday.

Negating time expressions.

Ich habe weder Hunger noch Durst.

I am neither hungry nor thirsty.

Negating physical states.

Weder habe ich die E-Mail erhalten, noch habe ich sie gelöscht.

Neither have I received the email, nor have I deleted it.

Linking two full clauses with verb inversion.

Das Projekt ist weder zeitlich noch finanziell realistisch.

The project is realistic neither in terms of time nor finances.

Using adverbs to qualify the negation.

Er wollte weder seine Meinung sagen noch den Vertrag unterschreiben.

He wanted neither to state his opinion nor to sign the contract.

Linking complex infinitive constructions.

Weder der Chef noch die Kollegen wussten von dem Treffen.

Neither the boss nor the colleagues knew about the meeting.

Subject-verb agreement with multiple subjects.

Das Produkt ist weder wasserfest noch stoßfest.

The product is neither waterproof nor shockproof.

Technical descriptions using 'weder... noch...'.

Ich konnte weder schlafen noch mich konzentrieren.

I could neither sleep nor concentrate.

Negating ability and state.

Weder heute noch morgen ist ein Termin frei.

Neither today nor tomorrow is an appointment available.

Negating specific time frames.

Sie ist weder mit dem Bus noch mit der Bahn gekommen.

She came neither by bus nor by train.

Negating means of transport.

Weder die wirtschaftliche Lage noch die politische Instabilität lassen Gutes erahnen.

Neither the economic situation nor the political instability bode well.

Abstract subjects and sophisticated vocabulary.

Das neue Gesetz ist weder für die Bürger noch für die Unternehmen vorteilhaft.

The new law is advantageous neither for the citizens nor for the companies.

Negating prepositional objects in a formal context.

Er hat weder die notwendige Qualifikation noch die erforderliche Erfahrung.

He has neither the necessary qualification nor the required experience.

Using 'weder... noch...' in professional evaluations.

Weder wollte er den Fehler zugeben, noch war er bereit, sich zu entschuldigen.

Neither did he want to admit the mistake, nor was he ready to apologize.

Complex clause coordination with modal verbs.

Das Ergebnis ist weder eindeutig noch statistisch signifikant.

The result is neither clear nor statistically significant.

Scientific/academic register.

Weder durch Drohungen noch durch Versprechungen ließ er sich beeinflussen.

He allowed himself to be influenced neither by threats nor by promises.

Negating instrumental prepositional phrases.

Die Lösung ist weder einfach zu finden noch billig umzusetzen.

The solution is neither easy to find nor cheap to implement.

Linking adjective + infinitive constructions.

Weder die Kläger noch die Beklagten erschienen vor Gericht.

Neither the plaintiffs nor the defendants appeared in court.

Legal terminology.

Weder die kühnsten Erwartungen noch die schlimmsten Befürchtungen traten ein.

Neither the boldest expectations nor the worst fears came true.

Rhetorical balance with superlatives.

Die Kunst ist weder ein Spiegel der Realität noch eine reine Flucht davor.

Art is neither a mirror of reality nor a pure escape from it.

Philosophical definitions.

Weder lässt sich die Zeit zurückdrehen, noch lassen sich die Folgen ungeschehen machen.

Neither can time be turned back, nor can the consequences be undone.

Using 'lassen' in a passive-like construction.

Er war weder fähig, die Situation zu analysieren, noch bereit, Hilfe anzunehmen.

He was neither capable of analyzing the situation nor ready to accept help.

Linking complex verbal complements.

Weder im privaten Bereich noch im beruflichen Umfeld fand er Anerkennung.

He found recognition neither in his private life nor in his professional environment.

Symmetrical prepositional phrases.

Die Theorie ist weder empirisch belegt noch logisch konsistent.

The theory is neither empirically proven nor logically consistent.

High-level academic critique.

Weder die Sprache noch die Kultur waren ihm fremd.

Neither the language nor the culture were foreign to him.

Double negation for a positive attribute (litotes).

Es gab weder einen Anfang noch ein Ende dieser scheinbar endlosen Debatte.

There was neither a beginning nor an end to this seemingly endless debate.

Abstract existential negation.

Weder der Glanz des Ruhms noch die Last des Scheiterns konnten seinen Charakter beugen.

Neither the luster of fame nor the burden of failure could bend his character.

Literary/elevated style with metaphorical language.

Dieses Werk ist weder einer bestimmten Epoche zuzuordnen noch einem Genre zu unterwerfen.

This work is neither to be assigned to a specific epoch nor to be subjected to a genre.

Advanced use of 'zu' + infinitive as a passive substitute.

Weder mag man ihm glauben, noch kann man ihn gänzlich ignorieren.

One neither likes to believe him, nor can one entirely ignore him.

Nuanced modal verb usage in a balanced structure.

Die Wahrheit liegt weder in der Mitte, noch ist sie für jeden gleichermaßen zugänglich.

The truth lies neither in the middle, nor is it equally accessible to everyone.

Epistemological statement with clause coordination.

Weder durch kluge Worte noch durch tatenlose Stille lässt sich das Unausweichliche abwenden.

Neither through clever words nor through inactive silence can the inevitable be averted.

Sophisticated adverbial and prepositional structures.

Er besaß weder den Willen zur Macht noch die Demut zur Unterwerfung.

He possessed neither the will to power nor the humility for submission.

Philosophical/Nietzschean terminology.

Weder die Kälte der Ratio noch die Hitze der Passion sollten das Urteil trüben.

Neither the coldness of reason nor the heat of passion should cloud the judgment.

Highly metaphorical and balanced rhetoric.

Weder ist dieses Vorhaben zum Scheitern verurteilt, noch ist sein Erfolg garantiert.

Neither is this undertaking doomed to failure, nor is its success guaranteed.

Inversion in both clauses for maximum rhetorical effect.

تلازمات شائعة

weder Fisch noch Fleisch

weder Kosten noch Mühen scheuen

weder Rast noch Ruh

weder heute noch morgen

weder gut noch schlecht

weder Ja noch Nein sagen

weder Sinn noch Verstand

weder Zeit noch Lust

weder ein noch aus wissen

weder tot noch lebendig

العبارات الشائعة

Das ist weder hier noch dort.

— That is irrelevant or doesn't belong here.

Deine Ausrede ist weder hier noch dort.

Weder... noch... noch...

— Used to list multiple excluded items.

Weder Brot, noch Milch, noch Eier sind da.

Weder Verwandt noch Verschwägert.

— Having no family relation whatsoever.

Wir sind weder verwandt noch verschwägert.

Weder Hand noch Fuß haben.

— To make no sense or have no foundation.

Diese Theorie hat weder Hand noch Fuß.

Weder aus noch ein wissen.

— To be at one's wits' end.

Ich weiß weder aus noch ein.

Weder Freund noch Feind.

— Being neutral or indifferent to someone.

Er ist mir weder Freund noch Feind.

Weder Tag noch Nacht.

— At no time; never resting.

Er arbeitet weder Tag noch Nacht.

Weder hübsch noch hässlich.

— Being average or unremarkable in appearance.

Das Haus ist weder hübsch noch hässlich.

Weder recht noch billig.

— Neither fair nor appropriate (archaic/legal).

Das ist weder recht noch billig.

Weder Fisch noch Vogel.

— Something that cannot be categorized.

Dieses Fahrzeug ist weder Fisch noch Vogel.

يُخلط عادةً مع

weder... noch... vs entweder... oder...

This means 'either... or...'. Remember 'weder' has an 'n' like 'neither' and 'no'.

weder... noch... vs sowohl... als auch...

This means 'both... and...'. It's the opposite of 'weder... noch...'.

weder... noch... vs weder (standalone)

In English, 'neither' can be a pronoun. In German, 'weder' is almost always a conjunction.

تعبيرات اصطلاحية

"weder Fisch noch Fleisch sein"

— To be neither one thing nor the other; indecisive or poorly defined.

Seine politische Haltung ist weder Fisch noch Fleisch.

informal

"weder Rast noch Ruh haben"

— To be constantly busy or worried; to have no peace.

Seit dem Umzug habe ich weder Rast noch Ruh.

literary

"weder Hand noch Fuß haben"

— To lack a solid basis or logic; to be poorly thought out.

Dein Plan hat weder Hand noch Fuß.

neutral

"weder ein noch aus wissen"

— To be completely confused and not know what to do.

Sie wusste weder ein noch aus vor lauter Sorgen.

neutral

"weder Tod noch Teufel fürchten"

— To be extremely brave or reckless.

Er fürchtet weder Tod noch Teufel.

literary

"weder Freund noch Beistand haben"

— To be completely alone and without help.

In der Fremde hatte er weder Freund noch Beistand.

formal

"weder Sinn noch Ziel haben"

— To be aimless or pointess.

Sein Leben hatte nach der Kündigung weder Sinn noch Ziel.

neutral

"weder Maß noch Ziel kennen"

— To do something excessively without knowing when to stop.

Beim Essen kennt er weder Maß noch Ziel.

neutral

"weder Glück noch Glas"

— A reference to the fragility of luck (proverbial).

Weder Glück noch Glas halten ewig.

archaic

"weder Gott noch die Welt"

— Absolutely no one or nothing.

Weder Gott noch die Welt können ihn jetzt noch aufhalten.

emphatic

سهل الخلط

weder... noch... vs wider

Sounds identical to 'weder' in some pronunciations.

'Wider' means 'against' or 'counter', while 'weder' is part of 'neither... nor...'.

Wider den Willen (Against the will) vs. Weder heute noch morgen.

weder... noch... vs wieder

Sounds identical to 'weder' and 'wider'.

'Wieder' means 'again'.

Komm bald wieder! (Come back again soon!)

weder... noch... vs noch

Can also mean 'still' or 'yet'.

In the pair 'weder... noch...', it means 'nor'. Alone, it usually means 'still'.

Ich bin noch hier. (I am still here.)

weder... noch... vs keiner

Used to say 'neither of them'.

'Keiner von beiden' is the pronoun for 'neither', whereas 'weder... noch...' links two specific things.

Keiner von beiden kam. (Neither of them came.)

weder... noch... vs nicht

Both are negations.

'Nicht' is a general 'not'. 'Weder... noch...' is a specific double negation.

Ich schlafe nicht. vs. Ich schlafe weder heute noch morgen.

أنماط الجُمل

Ich habe weder [Nomen] noch [Nomen].

Ich habe weder Brot noch Milch.

Das ist weder [Adjektiv] noch [Adjektiv].

Das ist weder billig noch teuer.

Weder [Verb] ich [Objekt], noch [Verb] ich [Objekt].

Weder trinke ich Kaffee, noch trinke ich Tee.

Er kann weder [Verb] noch [Verb].

Er kann weder singen noch tanzen.

Weder [Subjekt] noch [Subjekt] [Verb].

Weder der Chef noch die Sekretärin sind da.

Es ist weder [Abstraktum] noch [Abstraktum].

Es ist weder ein Erfolg noch ein Misserfolg.

Weder lässt sich [A] noch [B].

Weder lässt sich das beweisen noch widerlegen.

Weder ist [A] der Fall, noch kann [B] behauptet werden.

Weder ist das wahr, noch kann es bewiesen werden.

عائلة الكلمة

مرتبط

entweder

oder

sowohl

als auch

noch

سجّل مجاناً لرؤية جميع الأمثلة

كيفية الاستخدام

frequency

Common in all registers, but slightly higher in written and formal spoken German.

أخطاء شائعة

Weder ich habe Zeit noch Geld. → Weder habe ich Zeit noch Geld.
If 'weder' is in position 1, the verb must come in position 2. This is the V2 rule of German.
Ich mag nicht weder Äpfel noch Birnen. → Ich mag weder Äpfel noch Birnen.
Do not use 'nicht' with 'weder... noch...'. It's a double negative and incorrect.
Weder... oder... → Weder... noch...
Learners often mix up 'neither/nor' with 'either/or'. Always pair 'weder' with 'noch'.
Weder von ihnen kam. → Keiner von ihnen kam.
'Weder' is a conjunction, not a pronoun. Use 'keiner' for 'neither of them'.
Ich habe weder Zeit, noch Geld. → Ich habe weder Zeit noch Geld.
No comma is needed when linking simple nouns or adjectives.

نصائح

Maintain Symmetry

Ensure that the grammatical structure after 'weder' is the same as after 'noch'. If you have a noun after 'weder', use a noun after 'noch'. This balance is key to correct German.

No Extra Negatives

Don't use 'nicht' or 'kein' in the same clause as 'weder... noch...'. It is already negative enough on its own. Double negatives are a common learner mistake.

Emphasis Matters

You can put extra stress on 'weder' and 'noch' to sound more emphatic. This is great for when you are frustrated or want to be absolutely clear about your rejection.

Formal Reports

Use 'weder... noch...' in professional writing to sound more objective and precise. It's much better than writing two separate negative sentences.

The 'N' Connection

Listen for the 'n' sound. 'Noch' sounds like 'nor' and 'neither'. This helps you distinguish it from 'oder' (or) or 'aber' (but) in fast speech.

Sound Native

Using 'weder... noch...' correctly is a sign of a high-level learner. It shows you understand German sentence logic beyond just translating word-for-word from English.

The Scale Mnemonic

Imagine 'weder' and 'noch' as the two sides of a balance scale. They must hold things of equal weight and type to stay balanced.

B1 Exam Tip

In the B1 speaking or writing exam, using a 'Doppelkonjunktion' like 'weder... noch...' will often earn you extra points for complex grammar.

Identify the Pair

When reading long German sentences, find 'weder' and immediately look ahead for 'noch'. This helps you break down the sentence structure quickly.

Logical Operator

Think of it as 'NOT (A OR B)'. It means both A and B are excluded. This logical approach helps if you have a mathematical mind.

احفظها

وسيلة تذكّر

Think of the 'N' in 'Noch' and 'Neither'. They both start with N and both mean 'No'. Weder is the partner that sets the stage for the second 'No'.

ربط بصري

Imagine a person standing at a fork in the road. There are two signs: one for 'Pizza' and one for 'Pasta'. The person crosses their arms and shakes their head at both. That is 'weder... noch...'.

Word Web

Negation Conjunction Symmetry Exclusion Logic Pair Neither Nor

تحدٍّ

Try to write three sentences about things you don't like using 'weder... noch...'. Then, try to start one of those sentences with 'Weder' and remember to flip the verb and subject!

أصل الكلمة

The word 'weder' comes from Middle High German 'weder' and Old High German 'wedar', which originally meant 'which of the two'. The word 'noch' comes from Middle High German 'noch' and Old High German 'noh'.

المعنى الأصلي: Originally, 'weder' was an interrogative pronoun asking 'which of two'. Over time, it shifted into a negative conjunction.

Germanic (Indo-European). It is cognate with English 'whether' and 'neither'.

السياق الثقافي

There are no major sensitivities, but using it too much in very casual settings might make you sound slightly 'stiff' or overly formal.

English speakers often struggle with the verb inversion after 'weder' because in English we say 'Neither do I...' which is a different kind of inversion.

The phrase 'Weder Tod noch Leben' appears in German translations of the Bible (Romans 8:38). Friedrich Nietzsche used complex negations to redefine morality. The idiom 'weder Fisch noch Fleisch' is used in many German political commentaries.

تدرّب في الحياة الواقعية

سياقات واقعية

Preferences

Ich mag weder... noch...
Ich trinke weder... noch...
Ich esse weder... noch...
Das gefällt mir weder... noch...

Availability

Ich habe weder... noch...
Es gibt weder... noch...
Weder heute noch morgen...
Weder hier noch dort...

Descriptions

Das ist weder... noch...
Er ist weder... noch...
Der Test war weder... noch...
Das Wetter ist weder... noch...

Decisions

Weder das eine noch das andere.
Ich wähle weder... noch...
Das hilft weder... noch...
Das passt weder... noch...

Professional

Weder das Budget noch die Zeit...
Weder die Qualität noch der Preis...
Weder der Kunde noch wir...
Weder schriftlich noch mündlich...

بدايات محادثة

"Was magst du beim Frühstück weder essen noch trinken?"

"Gibt es einen Film, den du weder gut noch spannend fandest?"

"Welche Sprachen sprichst du weder fließend noch ein bisschen?"

"Welche Städte in Deutschland hast du weder besucht noch geplant zu besuchen?"

"Was ist für dich weder wichtig noch interessant im Beruf?"

مواضيع للكتابة اليومية

Schreibe über eine Situation, in der du weder wusstest, was du sagen sollst, noch was du tun sollst.

Welche zwei Hobbys findest du weder spannend noch entspannend? Warum?

Beschreibe einen Ort, an dem es weder Lärm noch Stress gibt. Wie sieht er aus?

Gibt es politische Themen, bei denen du weder der einen noch der anderen Seite zustimmst?

Überlege dir, was du in deinem Leben weder missen noch ändern möchtest.

الأسئلة الشائعة

10 أسئلة

No, 'weder' almost always requires 'noch' to complete the thought. If you only want to negate one thing, use 'nicht' or 'kein'. Using 'weder' alone is grammatically incomplete in modern German.

Only if 'weder' is in the first position of the sentence. If it's used later (e.g., 'Ich habe weder...'), the word order remains normal. If it starts the sentence ('Weder habe ich...'), the verb must come second.

No, that is a common mistake. It is always 'weder... noch...' (neither... nor...) or 'entweder... oder...' (either... or...). Mixing them up is a very frequent error for beginners.

Yes! You can say 'weder A, noch B, noch C'. You just add another 'noch' for every extra item you want to negate. This is common and very clear.

Usually no, if you are connecting words or short phrases. However, if you are connecting two independent clauses (sentences that could stand alone), you should put a comma before 'noch'.

It is more formal than 'nicht... und auch nicht...', but it is still used in everyday conversation. It makes your speech sound more precise and structured.

The most direct opposite is 'sowohl... als auch...' (both... and...). Another related opposite is 'entweder... oder...' (either... or...).

No. In German, you would say 'Keiner von beiden'. 'Weder' is only a conjunction used to link two or more specific items.

In modern German, the plural is common if both subjects together are the focus. However, if the last subject is singular, a singular verb is also acceptable. 'Weder er noch ich haben/habe Zeit.'

Yes, it can link infinitives (Er kann weder singen noch tanzen) or full conjugated clauses (Weder singt er, noch tanzt er).

سجّل مجاناً للنصائح والملاحظات