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B1 Negativartikel #48 le plus courant 12 min de lecture

keinen

Top 48

At the A1 level, you learn 'keinen' as the way to say 'no' or 'not a' when you are talking about masculine things you have or see. For example, if you want to say 'I don't have a dog,' you say 'Ich habe keinen Hund.' You learn that masculine nouns like 'Hund' (dog), 'Apfel' (apple), and 'Bruder' (brother) change their article from 'ein' to 'einen' when they are the object of the sentence. Similarly, 'kein' changes to 'keinen'. This is your first introduction to the 'accusative case,' even if you don't know the name yet. You focus on simple verbs like 'haben' (to have), 'essen' (to eat), and 'trinken' (to drink). You learn that if you are doing something to a masculine thing, you add '-en' to the word 'kein'. It is a simple pattern to remember: Masculine Object = -en ending. This helps you communicate basic needs and lack of things in daily life, such as at a restaurant or when talking about your family. You start to recognize that 'keinen' is only for singular masculine words, while 'keine' is for feminine or plural words. This distinction is one of the first grammatical hurdles, but once you master it, your basic German sounds much more natural and correct to native speakers.

At the A2 level, you expand your use of 'keinen' beyond simple possession. You start using it with a wider variety of verbs that take the accusative case, such as 'suchen' (to search), 'finden' (to find), 'brauchen' (to need), and 'besuchen' (to visit). You also begin to use 'keinen' with more abstract masculine nouns like 'Urlaub' (vacation), 'Job' (job), or 'Termin' (appointment). For example, 'Ich habe keinen Termin heute.' You learn that adjectives placed between 'keinen' and the noun also need to end in '-en', such as 'Ich habe keinen neuen Job.' This is called adjective declension, and 'keinen' follows the same pattern as the indefinite article 'einen'. You also start to use 'keinen' in short answers and to negate specific parts of a sentence. You become more confident in choosing between 'kein/keine/keinen' based on the gender and case of the noun. You might also encounter 'keinen' after certain prepositions that always require the accusative case, like 'für' (for) or 'ohne' (without), although 'ohne' is often used without an article. Your understanding of 'keinen' becomes more automatic, allowing you to focus on the content of your speech rather than just the grammar rules.

At the B1 level, you are expected to use 'keinen' fluently in a variety of contexts, including more complex sentence structures. You use it in subordinate clauses, such as 'Ich bin traurig, weil ich keinen Urlaub habe.' You also start to learn common idiomatic expressions that use 'keinen', such as 'keinen Bock haben' (to not feel like it) or 'keinen Sinn machen' (to make no sense). You understand the nuance between 'keinen' and 'nicht einen'—using the latter only when you want to emphasize 'not even a single one'. You are also more aware of the contrast between the nominative 'kein' and the accusative 'keinen'. For example, you can correctly distinguish between 'Kein Mensch ist hier' (subject) and 'Ich sehe keinen Menschen' (object). You also begin to use 'keinen' with masculine nouns that follow the 'n-declension' rule, like 'Kollegen' or 'Namen', where the noun itself also gets an '-en' ending in the accusative: 'Ich habe keinen Namen genannt.' Your vocabulary of masculine nouns increases, and you are better at predicting when a noun is masculine and thus requires 'keinen' in the accusative. This level is about refining your accuracy and incorporating 'keinen' into more natural, flowing conversation.

At the B2 level, 'keinen' is used effortlessly in both spoken and written German. You use it in formal contexts, such as business emails or academic discussions, to negate abstract concepts like 'Zusammenhang' (connection), 'Einfluss' (influence), or 'Vorteil' (advantage). For example, 'Diese Entscheidung hat keinen Einfluss auf unser Budget.' You also use 'keinen' in more sophisticated grammatical constructions, such as with the passive voice or in infinitive clauses. You understand the stylistic difference between using 'keinen' and more formal alternatives like 'keinerlei'. You can also use 'keinen' with substantivized adjectives, like 'Ich kenne keinen Deutschen' (I know no German person). Your use of 'keinen' extends to more nuanced idioms like 'keinen Hehl aus etwas machen' (to make no secret of something) or 'keinen Finger rühren' (to not lift a finger). You are also able to handle sentences where multiple cases are present, ensuring that 'keinen' is only used for the masculine accusative object and not confused with the dative or genitive forms. At this level, 'keinen' is no longer a 'rule' you think about, but a natural part of your linguistic expression, used to convey precise meaning and tone.

At the C1 level, you use 'keinen' with a high degree of precision and stylistic awareness. You can use it to create specific rhetorical effects, such as using double negation for irony or emphasis, although this is rare in standard German. You are comfortable using 'keinen' in complex legal or technical texts where the exact negation of a masculine noun is critical for the meaning of a contract or a scientific theory. For example, 'Der Vertrag sieht keinen Schadensersatz vor.' You also understand the historical development of the word and how it functions within the broader system of German determiners. You can use 'keinen' in very specific idiomatic contexts that require a deep cultural understanding, such as 'keinen Pfifferling wert sein' (to not be worth a peppercorn/anything). You are also adept at using 'keinen' in combination with modal particles to change the tone of a sentence, such as 'Ich habe ja keinen Plan' (I really have no idea). Your mastery of 'keinen' is complete, allowing you to use it flexibly across all registers, from the most informal slang to the most formal academic prose, always ensuring perfect agreement with the surrounding grammatical structures.

At the C2 level, your use of 'keinen' is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker. You have a perfect command of all its uses, including the most obscure idiomatic expressions and formal constructions. You can use 'keinen' in literary writing to achieve specific rhythmic or tonal goals. You understand the subtle differences in meaning that can be conveyed by placing 'keinen' in different positions within a sentence for emphasis. You are also aware of regional variations in the use of 'keinen', although you primarily use the standard form. You can analyze the use of 'keinen' in complex philosophical or linguistic texts, understanding how it contributes to the overall logic of an argument. For you, 'keinen' is a versatile tool that you use with absolute confidence and subtlety. You can effortlessly switch between 'keinen', 'nicht einen', 'keinerlei', and other forms of negation to perfectly match the context and your communicative intent. Whether you are giving a formal presentation, writing a technical report, or engaging in a spirited debate, 'keinen' is a natural and precise part of your extensive German vocabulary.

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

keinen en 30 secondes

The word 'keinen' is the masculine accusative singular form of the negative article 'kein', used to negate masculine nouns acting as direct objects in a sentence.
It is primarily used with transitive verbs like 'haben', 'sehen', and 'brauchen' when the object being negated is grammatically masculine and singular.
Correct usage requires knowing the gender of the noun; 'keinen' is strictly for masculine words, distinguishing it from 'keine' (feminine/plural) and 'kein' (neuter/nominative).
In addition to literal negation, 'keinen' appears in many common German idioms and abstract expressions to indicate a total lack of a specific quality or thing.

The German word keinen is a fundamental component of the German language, specifically serving as the masculine accusative singular form of the negative article kein. To understand its usage, one must first grasp the concept of the negative article, which essentially functions as the negation of the indefinite article ein. While English speakers use the word no or not a to negate nouns, German employs kein and its inflected forms to negate nouns that would otherwise take an indefinite article or no article at all. The specific form keinen is triggered when two conditions are met: the noun being negated is masculine in gender, and it is functioning as the direct object (accusative case) within the sentence structure. This distinction is vital because German grammar relies heavily on case endings to signal the relationship between different parts of a sentence. When a speaker says Ich habe keinen Hund, they are not just saying they do not have a dog; they are using the specific ending -en to signal that the dog is the object of their 'having' and that the dog is grammatically masculine.

Grammatical Role: Negative article for masculine nouns in the accusative case.

In everyday conversation, keinen is ubiquitous. It is used to decline offers, state facts about lack of possession, and express preferences. For instance, if someone offers you a coffee and you do not want one, you might say Ich möchte keinen Kaffee. Here, Kaffee is masculine, and since it is the object of what you want, it moves into the accusative case, requiring the -en suffix. This precision allows German speakers to be very clear about what exactly is being negated.

Ich habe heute keinen Hunger.

Beyond simple possession, keinen is used in many idiomatic expressions and abstract contexts. It can negate feelings, time periods, and abstract concepts like 'sense' or 'reason'. For example, Das macht keinen Sinn (That makes no sense) is a common phrase where Sinn is masculine and the direct object of the verb machen. Understanding keinen is a major milestone for learners because it marks the transition from simple nominative sentences to more complex interactions involving direct objects. It requires the learner to simultaneously track the gender of the noun and its grammatical function. Furthermore, the use of keinen is preferred over nicht ein in standard German. While nicht ein can be used for extreme emphasis (meaning 'not even one'), keinen is the natural, default way to say 'not a' for masculine objects. This nuance is part of what gives German its rhythmic and structural identity.

Syntactic Position: It precedes the noun it modifies, just like an article.

Wir brauchen keinen neuen Computer.

Contrast: Use 'kein' for nominative masculine, but 'keinen' for accusative masculine.

Er sieht keinen Ausweg aus der Situation.

Ich trinke keinen Alkohol.

In summary, keinen is the tool German speakers use to deny the existence or presence of a specific masculine item in the context of an action. It is a word that combines negation, gender, and case into one efficient six-letter package.

Using keinen correctly requires a solid understanding of the German case system, specifically the accusative case. The accusative case is primarily used for the direct object of a sentence—the person or thing that is directly acted upon by the verb. In German, when a masculine noun is the direct object, its article must change to reflect this. The indefinite article ein becomes einen, and its negative counterpart kein becomes keinen. This is one of the few instances where the case is explicitly visible in the article's ending, making it a critical point of focus for learners.

Sentence Structure: Subject + Verb + keinen + Masculine Noun.

Consider the verb haben (to have). This verb always takes the accusative case. If you want to say you don't have a brother (Bruder, masculine), you must say Ich habe keinen Bruder. If you were to say Ich habe kein Bruder, it would sound grammatically incomplete to a native speaker, similar to saying 'I have no a brother' in English. The -en ending is the signal that tells the listener exactly what role the word Bruder is playing in the sentence.

Er hat keinen Job im Moment.

Another common scenario involves verbs of perception or desire, such as sehen (to see), hören (to hear), or möchten (would like). If you are looking for a key (Schlüssel, masculine) and cannot find it, you would say Ich sehe keinen Schlüssel. The use of keinen here negates the entire noun phrase. It is important to note that keinen only applies to masculine nouns. For feminine nouns (like Tasche) or neuter nouns (like Auto), the endings would be keine and kein respectively. This gender-specific requirement is why learning the gender of every German noun is so essential. In more complex sentences, keinen can also appear after prepositions that govern the accusative case, such as für, gegen, or ohne. For example, Ich gehe ohne keinen Mantel (though 'ohne Mantel' is more common, 'ohne einen Mantel' or 'ohne keinen' for double negation in dialects can occur, but strictly speaking, 'ohne' takes the accusative). A better example is Das ist für keinen Mann ein Problem (That is a problem for no man).

Adjective Agreement: When an adjective follows 'keinen', it also takes the '-en' ending: 'keinen guten Tag'.

Ich möchte keinen Streit mit dir.

Negating Time: Used with masculine time units like 'Tag', 'Monat', 'Moment'.

Er hat keinen einzigen Tag gefehlt.

Wir haben keinen Platz mehr im Koffer.

Finally, keinen is often used in the phrase keinen Bock haben, which is a very common informal way of saying 'to not feel like doing something'. For example, Ich habe keinen Bock auf Hausaufgaben. Here, Bock (originally meaning ram, but here meaning desire) is masculine, and since it is the object of haben, it requires keinen. This shows how keinen is integrated into the very fabric of both formal and informal German speech.

In the real world, you will hear keinen in almost every social setting in Germany, Austria, or Switzerland. It is not a word confined to textbooks; it is the pulse of daily negation. If you are at a bakery (Bäckerei) and the salesperson asks if you want a bag (Beutel, masculine), you might respond, Nein danke, ich brauche keinen Beutel. In this context, keinen is polite and efficient. You will also hear it frequently in restaurants. A waiter might ask if you would like a dessert (Nachtisch, masculine), and if you are full, you would say, Ich möchte keinen Nachtisch, danke.

At the Workplace: Used to discuss resources, time, or colleagues. 'Wir haben keinen Termin frei.'

In professional environments, keinen is used to manage expectations and resources. A project manager might say, Wir haben für dieses Projekt keinen Spielraum mehr (We have no more room for maneuver for this project). Here, Spielraum is masculine, and the negation is crucial for clear communication. Similarly, in technical fields, one might say Das Gerät hat keinen Strom (The device has no power).

Ich habe keinen Empfang auf meinem Handy.

Socially, keinen is often heard in the context of making plans. If someone suggests going to a specific film and you have already seen it, you might say, Ich habe keinen Bedarf, den Film noch einmal zu sehen. Or, if you are discussing someone's character, you might hear, Er hat keinen Respekt vor anderen. These abstract uses of masculine nouns like Bedarf (need) and Respekt (respect) are very common. You will also find keinen in German media, from news reports to song lyrics. A news anchor might report, Die Polizei hat bisher keinen Verdächtigen festgenommen (The police have not yet arrested a suspect). In literature, it is used to create emphasis or to describe a lack of something in a poetic way.

In Sports: Commonly used to describe scores or lack of progress. 'Die Mannschaft hat keinen Punkt geholt.'

Es gibt keinen Grund zur Sorge.

Public Announcements: 'Heute findet keinen Unterricht statt' (though 'kein' is correct here as subject, you might hear 'keinen' in error or in specific regional dialects, though standard is 'kein'). Better: 'Wir akzeptieren keinen Zutritt ohne Ausweis.'

Ich kenne keinen besseren Ort zum Entspannen.

Er hat keinen Cent mehr in der Tasche.

Ultimately, keinen is an essential part of the 'No' vocabulary in German. Whether you are denying a request, stating a lack of resources, or expressing a lack of feeling, this word provides the grammatical precision needed to be understood perfectly in any German-speaking environment.

The most frequent mistake learners make with keinen is failing to distinguish between the nominative and accusative cases. In English, the word 'no' doesn't change regardless of whether it's the subject or the object. In German, however, 'no' (as an article) changes significantly. A learner might say Ich habe kein Hund because they learned that Hund is masculine and kein is the masculine form. However, because haben requires the accusative case, the ending -en is mandatory. This error is very common among beginners who are still getting used to the 'action' happening to the object.

Gender Confusion: Using 'keinen' for feminine or neuter nouns. For example, saying 'keinen Tasche' (feminine) instead of 'keine Tasche'.

Another major pitfall is gender confusion. Since keinen sounds quite definitive, learners sometimes apply it to all nouns in the accusative case. They might say Ich sehe keinen Mädchen, forgetting that Mädchen is neuter and thus requires kein. Or they might say Ich habe keinen Zeit, overlooking that Zeit is feminine and requires keine. Mastering keinen is as much about mastering noun genders as it is about mastering the case system itself.

Falsch: Ich habe kein Hunger. (Hunger is masculine accusative).

There is also the issue of 'double negation'. In English, 'I don't have no money' is considered non-standard or slang. In German, you generally use either nicht or kein, but not both for the same noun. A learner might try to translate 'I do not have a dog' literally as Ich habe nicht einen Hund. While this is technically possible for emphasis ('not even one single dog'), the standard way is simply Ich habe keinen Hund. Using nicht where kein is required is a classic 'English-thinking' mistake.

Plural vs. Singular: Mistaking 'keinen' for a plural form. Plural accusative is 'keine' (e.g., 'Ich habe keine Hunde').

Richtig: Ich habe keinen Plan. (Plan is masculine).

Case Misidentification: Using 'keinen' for the subject. 'Keinen Mann ist hier' is wrong; it must be 'Kein Mann ist hier'.

Falsch: Er ist keinen Lehrer. (Lehrer is the subject complement, which is nominative).

Richtig: Er ist kein Lehrer. Aber er hat keinen Job.

Lastly, learners often forget that adjectives between keinen and the noun also need the -en ending. Saying Ich habe keinen groß Hund is incorrect; it must be Ich habe keinen großen Hund. This 'cascading' of the -en ending is a hallmark of the masculine accusative and requires consistent practice to master.

While keinen is the standard for negating masculine nouns in the accusative, there are other words that perform similar functions or can be used as alternatives depending on the context. The most obvious comparison is with nicht. While keinen negates a noun, nicht negates a verb, an adjective, or an entire sentence. For example, Ich esse keinen Apfel (I am eating no apple) vs. Ich esse den Apfel nicht (I am not eating the apple). The choice between keinen and nicht often depends on whether the noun is indefinite (a/any) or definite (the).

Keinen vs. Nicht: Use 'keinen' for indefinite masculine nouns; use 'nicht' for verbs or definite nouns.

Another alternative is niemand (nobody). While keinen is an article that must be followed by a noun (or refer to one), niemand is a pronoun that stands alone. For instance, Ich sehe keinen Mann (I see no man) vs. Ich sehe niemanden (I see nobody). Note that niemand also takes the accusative ending -en in this context.

Ich habe keinen einzigen Freund hier. vs. Ich habe niemanden hier.

Then there is nichts (nothing). This is used for general negation of things without specifying gender or a specific noun. Ich habe keinen Hunger (I have no hunger) vs. Ich habe nichts (I have nothing). Nichts is indeclinable, meaning it never changes its form, which makes it easier to use but less specific than keinen.

Keinen vs. Nichts: 'Keinen' requires a masculine noun; 'nichts' is a general pronoun for 'nothing'.

In some contexts, you might use gar keinen or überhaupt keinen to add emphasis. These phrases translate to 'none at all' or 'absolutely no'. For example, Ich habe überhaupt keinen Durst (I have absolutely no thirst). This is a common way to strengthen a negation.

Er zeigt gar keinen Einsatz bei der Arbeit.

Keinerlei: A more formal alternative meaning 'no ... whatsoever'. It does not change for case or gender. 'Ich habe keinerlei Zweifel.'

Es gibt keinerlei Grund zur Panik.

Ich habe keinen blassen Schimmer. (Idiom: I have no clue).

Understanding these alternatives helps you choose the right level of precision and emphasis in your German negation. Whether you need the specific masculine accusative of keinen, the general pronoun nichts, or the emphatic gar keinen, each word has its place in a fluent speaker's toolkit.

How Formal Is It?

Formel

"Die Untersuchung ergab keinen Hinweis auf ein Verbrechen."

Neutre

"Ich habe heute leider keinen Termin frei."

Informel

"Ich habe echt keinen Bock mehr auf den Mist."

Child friendly

"Ich möchte keinen Spinat essen!"

Argot

"Ich hab keinen Plan, Alter."

Le savais-tu ?

The word 'kein' is a contraction that has existed for over a thousand years. It is a unique feature of German and other Germanic languages to have a specific negative article rather than just using 'not a'.

Guide de prononciation

UK /ˈkaɪ̯nən/

US /ˈkaɪnən/

The stress is on the first syllable: KAI-nen.

Rime avec

meinen deinen seinen einen weinen scheinen kleinen feinen

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing the 'ai' like 'ay' in 'play'. It should be 'eye'.
Dropping the final 'n' and saying 'keine'.
Over-emphasizing the middle 'e'. It should be a very short schwa sound.
Confusing it with 'keinem' (dative), which ends in an 'm' sound.
Not aspirating the initial 'k' enough, making it sound like a 'g'.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

Easy to recognize in text once you know the -en ending.

Écriture 4/5

Requires constant attention to noun gender and case.

Expression orale 5/5

Difficult to apply correctly in fast-paced conversation.

Écoute 3/5

The final 'n' can be subtle but is usually audible.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

kein ein einen der den

Apprends ensuite

keinem keiner keines niemand nichts

Avancé

keinerlei keineswegs n-Deklination Adjektivdeklination

Grammaire à connaître

Accusative Case

Direct objects take the accusative case. Masculine articles change from 'der/ein/kein' to 'den/einen/keinen'.

Noun Gender

You must know if a noun is masculine to use 'keinen'. 'Hund' is masculine, so 'keinen Hund'.

Adjective Declension

Adjectives after 'keinen' also take the '-en' ending. 'Keinen guten Tag'.

Negative Articles

Use 'kein' to negate nouns with indefinite articles. 'Ein Hund' -> 'Kein Hund'.

Transitive Verbs

Verbs like 'haben', 'sehen', and 'kaufen' require an accusative object.

Exemples par niveau

Ich habe keinen Hund.

I have no dog.

Hund is masculine, used as direct object (accusative).

Er isst keinen Apfel.

He is eating no apple.

Apfel is masculine, accusative after 'essen'.

Wir trinken keinen Kaffee.

We drink no coffee.

Kaffee is masculine, accusative after 'trinken'.

Hast du keinen Bruder?

Do you have no brother?

Bruder is masculine, accusative after 'haben'.

Ich brauche keinen Schlüssel.

I need no key.

Schlüssel is masculine, accusative after 'brauchen'.

Er sieht keinen Baum.

He sees no tree.

Baum is masculine, accusative after 'sehen'.

Ich kaufe keinen Tisch.

I am buying no table.

Tisch is masculine, accusative after 'kaufen'.

Wir haben keinen Saft.

We have no juice.

Saft is masculine, accusative after 'haben'.

Ich habe keinen neuen Job gefunden.

I have found no new job.

Adjective 'neu' also takes -en ending after 'keinen'.

Wir besuchen keinen Park heute.

We are visiting no park today.

Park is masculine, accusative after 'besuchen'.

Er hat keinen Termin beim Arzt.

He has no appointment at the doctor's.

Termin is masculine, accusative after 'haben'.

Ich möchte keinen Zucker in meinem Tee.

I would like no sugar in my tea.

Zucker is masculine, accusative after 'möchten'.

Sie sucht keinen Freund.

She is looking for no boyfriend.

Freund is masculine, accusative after 'suchen'.

Wir haben keinen Platz im Auto.

We have no room in the car.

Platz is masculine, accusative after 'haben'.

Er versteht keinen Spaß.

He takes no joke (He can't take a joke).

Spaß is masculine, accusative after 'verstehen'.

Ich habe keinen Hunger mehr.

I have no hunger anymore.

Hunger is masculine, accusative after 'haben'.

Ich habe keinen Bock auf dieses Projekt.

I don't feel like doing this project.

Informal idiom: 'keinen Bock haben'.

Das macht doch keinen Sinn!

That makes no sense!

Sinn is masculine, accusative after 'machen'.

Er hat keinen blassen Schimmer davon.

He has no faint clue about it.

Idiom: 'keinen blassen Schimmer haben'.

Ich kenne keinen einzigen Menschen hier.

I know not a single person here.

Emphatic use with 'einzigen'.

Wir haben keinen Grund zur Beschwerde.

We have no reason for complaint.

Grund is masculine, accusative after 'haben'.

Er hat keinen Respekt vor seinem Chef.

He has no respect for his boss.

Respekt is masculine, accusative after 'haben'.

Ich habe keinen Zweifel an deiner Geschichte.

I have no doubt about your story.

Zweifel is masculine, accusative after 'haben'.

Er hat keinen Ausweg aus der Krise gefunden.

He found no way out of the crisis.

Ausweg is masculine, accusative after 'finden'.

Die Firma hat keinen Gewinn erzielt.

The company achieved no profit.

Gewinn is masculine, accusative after 'erzielen'.

Er hat keinen Hehl aus seiner Meinung gemacht.

He made no secret of his opinion.

Idiom: 'keinen Hehl aus etwas machen'.

Wir haben keinen Einfluss auf das Wetter.

We have no influence on the weather.

Einfluss is masculine, accusative after 'haben'.

Er hat keinen Finger gerührt, um zu helfen.

He didn't lift a finger to help.

Idiom: 'keinen Finger rühren'.

Es gibt keinen Zusammenhang zwischen den Taten.

There is no connection between the acts.

Zusammenhang is masculine, accusative after 'gibt es'.

Ich habe keinen Bedarf an weiterer Unterstützung.

I have no need for further support.

Bedarf is masculine, accusative after 'haben'.

Er hat keinen bleibenden Eindruck hinterlassen.

He left no lasting impression.

Eindruck is masculine, accusative after 'hinterlassen'.

Wir haben keinen Kompromiss finden können.

We were not able to find a compromise.

Kompromiss is masculine, accusative after 'finden'.

Der Autor macht keinen Unterschied zwischen Fakt und Fiktion.

The author makes no distinction between fact and fiction.

Unterschied is masculine, accusative after 'machen'.

Er hat keinen Pfifferling auf seinen Rat gegeben.

He didn't give a damn (peppercorn) about his advice.

Idiom: 'keinen Pfifferling auf etwas geben'.

Die Untersuchung hat keinen Beweis für seine Schuld erbracht.

The investigation yielded no proof of his guilt.

Beweis is masculine, accusative after 'erbringen'.

Er hat keinen Anstoß an ihrem Verhalten genommen.

He took no offense at her behavior.

Idiom: 'keinen Anstoß an etwas nehmen'.

Es gibt keinen vernünftigen Grund für diesen Schritt.

There is no reasonable ground for this step.

Grund is masculine, accusative after 'gibt es'.

Er hat keinen Zweifel an der Richtigkeit der Daten gelassen.

He left no doubt about the correctness of the data.

Zweifel is masculine, accusative after 'lassen'.

Die Reform hat keinen nennenswerten Erfolg gezeigt.

The reform showed no noteworthy success.

Erfolg is masculine, accusative after 'zeigen'.

Er hat keinen Hehl daraus gemacht, dass er unzufrieden ist.

He made no secret of the fact that he is dissatisfied.

Idiom: 'keinen Hehl aus etwas machen'.

Die Argumentation lässt keinen Raum für Gegenargumente.

The argumentation leaves no room for counterarguments.

Raum is masculine, accusative after 'lassen'.

Er hat keinen Stein auf dem anderen gelassen.

He left no stone unturned (completely changed/destroyed everything).

Idiom: 'keinen Stein auf dem anderen lassen'.

Diese Tat lässt keinen Zweifel an seiner Gesinnung zu.

This act permits no doubt about his mindset.

Zweifel is masculine, accusative after 'zulassen'.

Er hat keinen Funken Verstand in dieser Angelegenheit bewiesen.

He showed not a spark of sense in this matter.

Funken is masculine, accusative after 'beweisen'.

Die Theorie hat keinen Bestand vor der harten Realität.

The theory has no durability (doesn't hold up) against harsh reality.

Bestand is masculine, accusative after 'haben'.

Er hat keinen Blick für die Schönheit der Natur.

He has no eye for the beauty of nature.

Blick is masculine, accusative after 'haben'.

Das Unternehmen hat keinen nennenswerten Marktanteil mehr.

The company no longer has any noteworthy market share.

Marktanteil is masculine, accusative after 'haben'.

Er hat keinen Hehl aus seiner tiefen Abneigung gemacht.

He made no secret of his deep aversion.

Idiom: 'keinen Hehl aus etwas machen'.

Collocations courantes

keinen Bock haben

keinen Sinn machen

keinen Grund haben

keinen Zweifel lassen

keinen Hunger haben

keinen Job finden

keinen Platz finden

keinen Ausweg sehen

keinen Cent besitzen

keinen Respekt zeigen

Phrases Courantes

Ich habe keinen Plan.

Keinen Stress!

Ich sehe keinen Unterschied.

Wir haben keinen Kontakt mehr.

Er hat keinen Erfolg.

Ich brauche keinen Rat.

Das hat keinen Zweck.

Ich kenne keinen Ausweg.

Wir haben keinen Empfang.

Er hat keinen Mut.

Souvent confondu avec

keinen vs keinem

This is the dative form. Use 'keinem' after dative verbs or prepositions, but 'keinen' for direct objects.

keinen vs keine

This is for feminine singular or any plural. Don't use it for masculine singular objects.

keinen vs kein

This is for nominative masculine or nominative/accusative neuter. Don't use it for masculine objects.

Expressions idiomatiques

"keinen Bock haben"

To not feel like doing something. Very common in informal speech.

Ich habe heute keinen Bock auf Arbeit.

informal

"keinen blassen Schimmer haben"

To have no clue whatsoever. Literally 'not a pale shimmer'.

Ich habe keinen blassen Schimmer, wie das funktioniert.

neutral

"keinen Hehl aus etwas machen"

To make no secret of something. To be very open about something.

Er machte keinen Hehl aus seiner Abneigung gegen den Plan.

formal

"keinen Finger rühren"

To not lift a finger. To not help at all.

Während alle arbeiteten, rührte er keinen Finger.

neutral

"keinen Pfifferling wert sein"

To not be worth a penny/peppercorn. To be worthless.

Seine Versprechen sind keinen Pfifferling wert.

informal

"keinen Stein auf dem anderen lassen"

To leave no stone unturned or to completely destroy/rebuild something.

Der neue Chef hat in der Firma keinen Stein auf dem anderen gelassen.

neutral

"keinen Anstoß nehmen"

To take no offense. To not be bothered by something.

Er nahm keinen Anstoß an ihrer direkten Art.

formal

"keinen guten Faden an jemandem lassen"

To not have a good word to say about someone. To criticize someone severely.

Sie ließ keinen guten Faden an ihrem Ex-Mann.

neutral

"keinen Fuß auf den Boden bekommen"

To not get a foot on the ground. To fail to establish oneself or make progress.

In der neuen Stadt hat er bisher keinen Fuß auf den Boden bekommen.

neutral

"keinen Blick für etwas haben"

To have no eye for something. To fail to appreciate or notice something.

Er hat einfach keinen Blick für Details.

neutral

Facile à confondre

keinen vs nicht

Both mean 'not'.

Use 'keinen' to negate a masculine noun with an indefinite article. Use 'nicht' to negate verbs or definite nouns.

Ich esse keinen Apfel (indefinite) vs. Ich esse den Apfel nicht (definite).

keinen vs nichts

Both mean 'nothing' or 'not any'.

'Keinen' must be followed by a masculine noun. 'Nichts' is a standalone pronoun.

Ich habe keinen Hunger vs. Ich habe nichts.

keinen vs niemand

Both involve negation of people.

'Keinen Mann' refers to a specific type of person (man). 'Niemand' (or 'niemanden' in accusative) means 'nobody' in general.

Ich sehe keinen Mann vs. Ich sehe niemanden.

keinen vs keiner

Similar sound.

'Keiner' is the nominative pronoun (no one) or the feminine genitive/dative article. 'Keinen' is strictly masculine accusative.

Keiner ist hier vs. Ich sehe keinen.

keinen vs keines

Similar root.

'Keines' is the genitive form or the neuter nominative/accusative pronoun. 'Keinen' is masculine accusative.

Das ist keines meiner Bücher vs. Ich habe keinen Hund.

Structures de phrases

Ich habe keinen [Masculine Noun].

Ich habe keinen Bruder.

Ich brauche keinen [Adjective]-en [Masculine Noun].

Ich brauche keinen neuen Computer.

Das macht keinen [Masculine Noun].

Das macht keinen Sinn.

Ich habe keinen Bock auf [Accusative Noun].

Ich habe keinen Bock auf den Film.

Es gibt keinen Grund für [Accusative Noun].

Es gibt keinen Grund für diesen Streit.

Er hat keinen Hehl aus [Dative Noun] gemacht.

Er hat keinen Hehl aus seinem Zorn gemacht.

Die Tat lässt keinen Zweifel an [Dative Noun] zu.

Die Tat lässt keinen Zweifel an seiner Schuld zu.

Er hat keinen Stein auf dem anderen gelassen.

Nach der Renovierung hat er keinen Stein auf dem anderen gelassen.

Famille de mots

Noms

Apparenté

Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Extremely high in daily German.

Erreurs courantes

Ich habe kein Hund. → Ich habe keinen Hund.
Hund is masculine and the direct object of 'haben', so it must be in the accusative case with the '-en' ending.
Ich sehe keinen Mädchen. → Ich sehe kein Mädchen.
Mädchen is neuter, not masculine. Neuter nouns in the accusative use 'kein', not 'keinen'.
Er ist keinen Lehrer. → Er ist kein Lehrer.
The verb 'sein' (to be) takes the nominative case, not the accusative. The masculine nominative form is 'kein'.
Ich habe keinen Zeit. → Ich habe keine Zeit.
Zeit is feminine. Feminine nouns in the accusative use 'keine', not 'keinen'.
Ich habe keinen groß Tisch. → Ich habe keinen großen Tisch.
Adjectives following 'keinen' must also take the accusative masculine ending '-en'.

Astuces

The N-Ending Rule

Always remember that masculine nouns in the accusative case love the letter 'n'. This applies to 'den', 'einen', 'keinen', 'meinen', 'deinen', etc.

Learn Genders

You cannot use 'keinen' correctly if you don't know that 'Apfel', 'Hund', and 'Tisch' are masculine. Always learn 'der Apfel', not just 'Apfel'.

Enunciate the Ending

Make sure to clearly pronounce the 'n' at the end of 'keinen' to distinguish it from the feminine/plural 'keine'.

Master 'Keinen Bock'

This is one of the most useful informal phrases. Use it to sound more like a native when you don't feel like doing something.

Adjective Agreement

Don't forget the 'double n'. If you have an adjective, it usually ends in 'en' too: 'keinen guten Wein'.

Context Clues

If you hear a verb like 'haben' followed by a word ending in 'en', it's a strong hint that the following noun is masculine.

Avoid 'Nicht Ein'

Unless you are being extremely emphatic, avoid translating 'not a' as 'nicht ein'. Use 'kein' or 'keinen' instead.

Direct Object Focus

Train yourself to identify the direct object in every sentence. If it's the 'target' of the verb and it's masculine, use 'keinen'.

Polite Refusal

Use 'keinen' to politely decline things. 'Ich möchte keinen Kaffee, danke' is a standard and polite way to say no.

N-Declension Nouns

Watch out for masculine nouns like 'Name' or 'Kunde'. They also take an 'n' in the accusative: 'Ich habe keinen Namen'.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of the 'EN' at the end of 'keinEN' as standing for 'Every Night' I have 'EN'ough 'EN'ergy for the masculine accusative. Or simply: Masculine Object = -EN.

Association visuelle

Imagine a man (masculine) holding an empty box (negation) and pointing to it as the direct object of his sentence. The box has the letters 'EN' written on it.

Word Web

kein einen meinen deinen seinen unseren euren ihren

Défi

Try to list five masculine nouns you do not have in your room right now using the phrase 'Ich habe keinen...'. For example: 'Ich habe keinen Fernseher.'

Origine du mot

The word 'keinen' derives from the Middle High German 'kein', which itself evolved from the Old High German 'nihhein' or 'nohhein'.

Sens originel : The original components were 'ni' (not) and 'ein' (one), effectively meaning 'not one'.

Germanic, specifically West Germanic.

Contexte culturel

There are no specific sensitivities associated with this word, as it is a basic grammatical tool. However, ensure correct gender usage to avoid sounding uneducated or careless.

English speakers often struggle with 'keinen' because English uses the same word 'no' for all genders and cases. The concept of a 'negative article' that changes shape is foreign and requires a shift in thinking.

The phrase 'Das macht keinen Sinn' is a common 'Anglicism' in German (from 'That makes no sense'), though traditionally Germans would say 'Das ergibt keinen Sinn'. In the song 'Keine Lust' by Rammstein, the concept of lack of desire is central, though they use 'keine Lust' (feminine). Many German proverbs use negation to teach lessons, such as 'Keinen alten Baum soll man verpflanzen' (One should not transplant an old tree).

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

At a Restaurant

Ich möchte keinen Wein.
Wir brauchen keinen Nachtisch.
Ich habe keinen Hunger mehr.
Haben Sie keinen Tisch frei?

At Work

Ich habe keinen Zugriff auf die Datei.
Wir haben keinen Termin vereinbart.
Er hat keinen Erfolg mit dem Projekt.
Es gibt keinen Grund zur Sorge.

Daily Errands

Ich brauche keinen Beutel.
Ich finde keinen Parkplatz.
Ich habe keinen Kassenzettel.
Haben Sie keinen kleineren Schein?

Socializing

Ich habe keinen Bock auf die Party.
Ich kenne keinen Menschen hier.
Er versteht keinen Spaß.
Ich habe keinen Kontakt zu ihm.

Technology

Ich habe keinen Empfang.
Der Laptop hat keinen Strom.
Ich finde keinen USB-Anschluss.
Das Handy hat keinen Speicherplatz mehr.

Amorces de conversation

"Hast du heute wirklich keinen Hunger?"

"Warum hast du keinen Regenschirm mitgenommen?"

"Gibt es keinen anderen Weg zum Bahnhof?"

"Hast du wirklich keinen Bock auf das Konzert?"

"Kennst du keinen guten Friseur in der Nähe?"

Sujets d'écriture

Schreibe über einen Tag, an dem du keinen Erfolg hattest. Was ist passiert?

Gibt es einen Film, den du absolut keinen Sinn findest? Warum?

Beschreibe eine Situation, in der du keinen Ausweg gesehen hast.

Worauf hast du heute absolut keinen Bock? Erkläre warum.

Gibt es einen Menschen, zu dem du keinen Kontakt mehr haben möchtest?

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

You use 'keinen' when the noun is masculine and is the direct object (accusative) of the sentence. For example, 'Das ist kein Hund' (subject) vs. 'Ich habe keinen Hund' (object).

No, for plural nouns in the accusative case, you use 'keine'. For example, 'Ich habe keine Hunde'.

No, feminine nouns in the accusative case take 'keine'. For example, 'Ich habe keine Katze'.

Transitive verbs that take a direct object, such as 'haben', 'sehen', 'brauchen', 'kaufen', 'essen', and 'trinken', will trigger 'keinen' if the object is masculine.

The word 'keinen' stays the same, but the adjective following it must also take the '-en' ending. For example, 'Ich habe keinen schwarzen Hund'.

It is grammatically neutral and used in all levels of formality. However, some idioms like 'keinen Bock' are strictly informal.

'Keinen' is the standard way to say 'not a'. 'Nicht einen' is used for strong emphasis, meaning 'not even one single one'.

Yes, if the object is moved to the front for emphasis. For example, 'Keinen Fehler darfst du machen!' (You must make no mistake!).

There are some rules (e.g., words ending in -ismus, -ant, -ent are usually masculine), but mostly you must memorize the gender with the noun.

Yes, but in some dialects, the ending might be swallowed or changed. However, in written and standard spoken German, 'keinen' is the only correct form for the masculine accusative.