A1 Noun Gender 16 min read Easy

Saying 'No' to Nouns: Negation with 'kein'

Use kein for 'no' or 'not a' when negating nouns; use nicht for verbs and adjectives.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use 'kein' to negate nouns that have an indefinite article or no article at all.

  • Use 'kein' before nouns with indefinite articles (ein/eine). Example: Ich habe kein Auto.
  • Use 'kein' before nouns with no article. Example: Ich habe kein Geld.
  • Match the ending of 'kein' to the gender and case of the noun. Example: Keine Frau.
kein + {noun|gender}

Overview

In German, the absence or negation of a noun is primarily expressed using the word kein. This contrasts with English, which often uses 'no' or 'not a/an' more flexibly. kein functions as the direct negative counterpart to the indefinite article ein (a/an).

It is also crucially employed to negate nouns that appear without any article at all, a phenomenon known as the zero article.

Mastering kein is fundamental for A1 learners. It enables you to articulate denials, express a lack of possession, or state the non-existence of something in a grammatically correct and natural manner. Without a clear understanding of kein, your German expressions of absence can sound awkward or incorrect, especially when stating you do not possess something or that an item is not of a particular kind.

kein acts as a negative determiner. This means it precedes a noun and functions similarly to an article, specifying a quantity of zero for that noun. It is distinct from nicht (not), which is a negative adverb used to negate verbs, adjectives, adverbs, proper nouns, or nouns accompanied by definite articles.

The distinction is critical: if you would use ein in a positive statement – for example, Ich habe einen Hund. ("I have a dog.") – then to negate that noun, you must use kein: Ich habe keinen Hund. ("I have no dog."). This grammatical structure is a consistent feature in German for expressing the non-existence of indefinite items.

How This Grammar Works

The underlying principle of kein is directly linked to the indefinite article ein. Conceptually, kein is formed by adding a k- prefix to ein. This structural relationship is key, as it dictates that kein follows the exact same declension patterns as ein.
Therefore, if you understand how ein changes its endings to agree with a noun's gender, number, and case, you are already well on your way to understanding kein.
kein serves as a negative article or negative determiner. Its primary function is to negate a noun that would otherwise be preceded by an indefinite article ein or no article at all (the zero article). It communicates the idea of "not a/an" or "no" in the sense of zero quantity.
For instance, to state "I have a car," you would say Ich habe ein Auto. To negate this and express "I have no car," you use Ich habe kein Auto. Observe how ein transforms into kein, maintaining the same ending for gender and case agreement. This consistent mirroring makes kein a predictable and powerful tool for beginners.
This pattern is deeply embedded in German for indicating the absence of both countable items and abstract concepts. Consider the expression Ich habe Hunger. ("I have hunger" or "I am hungry"). Here, Hunger is an abstract noun used without an article.
To negate this, saying "I have no hunger" or "I am not hungry," you would use Ich habe keinen Hunger. The grammatical role of kein fills a specific linguistic niche, providing a concise method to state the non-existence or non-possession of nouns, thereby clearly differentiating it from the more general negation provided by nicht.

Formation Pattern

1
To correctly form kein, you must ensure it agrees with the noun it modifies in gender, number, and case. For A1 learners, the Nominative case (for subjects and nouns describing the subject after verbs like sein – "to be") and the Accusative case (for direct objects of verbs) are the most critical. These two cases will cover the majority of your initial usage of kein.
2
Follow these steps to determine the correct form of kein:
3
Identify the gender of the noun you are negating: is it masculine (der), feminine (die), or neuter (das)?
4
Determine the number: is the noun singular or plural?
5
Identify the case: is the noun in the Nominative or the Accusative case within the sentence?
6
Once you have this information, apply it to the declension table below. This table's endings are identical to those of the indefinite article ein, with the essential addition of plural forms. While ein cannot be used with plural nouns (you cannot say "a dogs"), kein can and often does negate plural nouns, signifying "zero" of those items.
7
| Case | Masculine (der) | Feminine (die) | Neuter (das) | Plural |
8
| :--------- | :------------------ | :----------------- | :--------------- | :------------- |
9
| Nominative | kein | keine | kein | keine |
10
| Accusative | keinen | keine | kein | keine |
11
Observe the pattern: only the masculine form changes in the Accusative case, gaining an -en ending to become keinen. The feminine, neuter, and plural forms remain consistent across both Nominative and Accusative cases. This regularity simplifies memorization: remember the -en for masculine accusative, and the -e for feminine and plural nouns. The neuter form mirrors the masculine nominative. For example, Ich habe einen Kugelschreiber. ("I have a pen.") becomes Ich habe keinen Kugelschreiber. ("I have no pen.") You do not need to concern yourself with Dative or Genitive cases for kein at the A1 level; these will be covered in later stages of your learning journey, but follow the same principle of mirroring ein endings.

Gender & Agreement

Agreement is a cornerstone of German grammar, and kein serves as a prime illustration of this concept. Beyond simply negating, kein carries crucial information about the noun it precedes. The specific ending of kein signals the noun's grammatical gender, its number (singular or plural), and its case within the sentence.
This makes kein a powerful indicator in German sentence structure, often providing grammatical cues even before the noun itself is fully processed.
Let's examine how kein agrees with nouns based on their gender and number, in the Nominative and Accusative cases:
  • Masculine Nouns: For masculine nouns such as der Computer or der Stuhl, kein takes kein in the Nominative case and keinen in the Accusative case.
  • Nominative Example: Das ist kein Computer. (That is no computer.) Here, Computer is a predicate noun, thus in the Nominative case.
  • Accusative Example: Ich habe keinen Stuhl. (I have no chair.) Here, Stuhl is the direct object of haben, requiring the Accusative case.
  • Feminine Nouns: For feminine nouns like die Idee or die Lampe, kein consistently uses the -e ending in both Nominative and Accusative cases, becoming keine.
  • Nominative Example: Das ist keine gute Idee. (That is no good idea.)
  • Accusative Example: Wir haben keine Lampe. (We have no lamp.)
  • Neuter Nouns: For neuter nouns such as das Problem or das Buch, kein remains kein in both Nominative and Accusative cases.
  • Nominative Example: Das ist kein Problem. (That is no problem.)
  • Accusative Example: Ich habe kein Buch. (I have no book.)
  • Plural Nouns: For all plural nouns, regardless of their individual gender in the singular form (e.g., die Katzen, die Hunde, die Bücher), kein always takes the -e ending, becoming keine. This is a critical distinction, as there is no indefinite article ein for plural nouns in positive sentences; kein fills this gap for negation.
  • Nominative Example: Das sind keine Freunde. (Those are no friends.)
  • Accusative Example: Sie hat keine Kinder. (She has no children.)
This consistent agreement pattern means that once you correctly identify the gender, number, and case of the noun you wish to negate, selecting the appropriate kein form becomes a mechanical process. The ending of kein functions as a grammatical signal, ensuring clarity and correctness in your German sentences.

When To Use It

The correct application of kein is crucial for accurate negation in German. Fundamentally, you use kein when you are negating a noun that would typically appear with an indefinite article (ein) or no article at all (the zero article). This rule forms the backbone of its usage and distinguishes it sharply from nicht.
  1. 1Negating Nouns with an Indefinite Article: If a noun in a positive sentence would be preceded by ein, then its negation requires kein.
  • Positive: Ich habe einen Bruder. (I have a brother.)
  • Negative: Ich habe keinen Bruder. (I have no brother.)
  • Positive: Das ist eine Katze. (That is a cat.)
  • Negative: Das ist keine Katze. (That is not a cat.)
  1. 1Negating Nouns with the Zero Article: Many nouns in German naturally appear without an article in certain contexts. kein is used to negate these nouns.
  • Plural Nouns: When referring to an unspecified quantity of plural items.
  • Positive: Ich habe Freunde. (I have friends.)
  • Negative: Ich habe keine Freunde. (I have no friends.)
  • Uncountable or Mass Nouns: Nouns that cannot be counted individually, like liquids or substances.
  • Positive: Ich trinke Wasser. (I drink water.)
  • Negative: Ich trinke kein Wasser. (I drink no water/I don't drink water.)
  • Abstract Nouns: Concepts or qualities.
  • Positive: Ich habe Geduld. (I have patience.)
  • Negative: Ich habe keine Geduld. (I have no patience.)
  • Nouns after Verbs Expressing Possession or Need: Verbs like haben (to have) or brauchen (to need) often take direct objects without an article, especially in expressions of general possession or need.
  • Positive: Ich brauche Hilfe. (I need help.)
  • Negative: Ich brauche keine Hilfe. (I need no help.)
Distinction between kein and nicht: This is perhaps the most critical distinction for A1 learners. Use kein only for negating nouns that would take an indefinite article or no article. Use nicht for virtually all other negation scenarios:
  • Verbs: Ich arbeite nicht heute. (I am not working today.)
  • Adjectives: Das Auto ist nicht schnell. (The car is not fast.)
  • Adverbs: Er spricht nicht gut Deutsch. (He does not speak German well.)
  • Proper Nouns: Das ist nicht Paul. (That is not Paul.)
  • Nouns with Definite Articles: Ich kenne den Mann nicht. (I do not know the man.) Note nicht comes after the definite article and noun.
  • Prepositional Phrases: Ich gehe nicht ins Kino. (I am not going to the cinema.)
Understanding when to apply kein versus nicht will significantly improve your grammatical accuracy and help you sound more natural in German.

Common Mistakes

Even experienced German learners make specific errors with kein. Recognizing these patterns can help you avoid them from the outset. The most frequent mistakes often stem from an incomplete understanding of kein's precise role compared to nicht.
  1. 1Confusing kein with nicht: This is by far the most common error. Learners, thinking in English, sometimes try to use nicht ein for "not a/an," which is generally incorrect for simple noun negation. Similarly, they might incorrectly use kein to negate something other than an indefinite or zero-article noun.
  • Incorrect: *Ich habe nicht ein Buch. (Attempting "I don't have a book.")
  • Correct: Ich habe kein Buch.
  • Incorrect: *Das ist kein gut. (Attempting "That is not good.")
  • Correct: Das ist nicht gut. (Negating an adjective requires nicht.)
  • Incorrect: *Ich habe keinen den Stift. (Attempting "I don't have the pen.")
  • Correct: Ich habe den Stift nicht. (Negating a noun with a definite article requires nicht, placed after the noun).
  1. 1Incorrect Declension: Failing to apply the correct ending for kein based on gender, number, and case. The masculine accusative form (keinen) is particularly prone to error.
  • Incorrect: *Ich habe kein Hund. (Should be accusative, Hund is masculine.)
  • Correct: Ich habe keinen Hund.
  • Incorrect: *Wir haben kein Freunde. (Plural nouns always use keine.)
  • Correct: Wir haben keine Freunde.
  1. 1Using kein with Proper Nouns: kein is a determiner for common nouns. Proper nouns (names of people, places, brands) are negated with nicht.
  • Incorrect: *Das ist kein Peter. (Attempting "That is not Peter.")
  • Correct: Das ist nicht Peter.
  1. 1Misapplying kein to Verbs or Adjectives: kein only negates nouns (or noun phrases). It cannot directly negate verbs, adjectives, or adverbs.
  • Incorrect: *Ich kein schwimme. (Attempting "I don't swim.")
  • Correct: Ich schwimme nicht.
  • Incorrect: *Das ist kein interessant. (Attempting "That is not interesting.")
  • Correct: Das ist nicht interessant.
By consciously paying attention to the type of word being negated and the article status of nouns, you can effectively avoid these common pitfalls and solidify your understanding of kein.

Common Collocations

German, like any language, features many fixed expressions and common pairings where kein is used idiomatically. Learning these collocations can significantly enhance your fluency and comprehension, as they are frequently encountered in everyday communication. These phrases often use kein with abstract or mass nouns that typically appear with the zero article.
Here are some essential collocations with kein that A1 learners should recognize:
  • keine Ahnung haben: To have no idea/clue.
  • Example: Ich habe keine Ahnung, wo er ist. (I have no idea where he is.)
  • kein Problem: No problem (a very common response or reassurance).
  • Example: Kannst du mir helfen? – Ja, kein Problem! (Can you help me? – Yes, no problem!)
  • keine Zeit haben: To have no time.
  • Example: Ich habe heute leider keine Zeit. (Unfortunately, I have no time today.)
  • kein Geld haben: To have no money.
  • Example: Ich kann das nicht kaufen, ich habe kein Geld. (I can't buy that, I have no money.)
  • keine Lust haben: To not feel like it; to have no desire or inclination.
  • Example: Ich habe keine Lust zu kochen. (I don't feel like cooking.)
  • kein Glück haben: To have no luck; to be unlucky.
  • Example: Ich habe heute kein Glück gehabt. (I had no luck today.)
  • keine Sorge: No worries; don't worry (often used as a complete phrase).
  • Example: Deine Prüfung wird gut sein, keine Sorge! (Your exam will be good, no worries!)
  • kein Interesse haben: To have no interest.
  • Example: Sie hat kein Interesse an Sport. (She has no interest in sports.)
Integrating these collocations into your vocabulary will make your German sound much more natural and idiomatic. Notice how kein takes the appropriate gender and case (mostly accusative feminine keine or neuter kein in these common phrases) reflecting the nouns they modify.

Real Conversations

To truly grasp kein, observing its use in authentic conversational contexts is invaluable. The way native speakers deploy kein often reflects efficiency and idiomatic phrasing beyond simple textbook examples. Pay attention to how the declension of kein provides clarity in rapid speech, even when the noun itself might be de-emphasized.

Here are some examples illustrating kein in various real-life conversational scenarios, from casual to slightly more formal:

- Casual Exchange (Spoken):

- "Hast du einen Regenschirm? Es regnet!" (Do you have an umbrella? It's raining!)

- "Nein, ich habe keinen Regenschirm. Ich habe keine Lust auf Regen." (No, I have no umbrella. I don't feel like rain.)

- (Note the accusative keinen for Regenschirm (der) and keine for Lust (die)).

- Restaurant/Café Setting (Spoken):

- "Haben Sie noch einen Tisch frei?" (Do you have a table free?)

- "Entschuldigung, wir haben leider keinen Tisch mehr frei." (Sorry, we unfortunately have no more tables free.)

- (Again, accusative keinen for Tisch (der)).

- Planning (Text Message/Informal Chat):

- "Können wir uns um 18 Uhr treffen?" (Can we meet at 6 PM?)

- "Heute Abend habe ich leider keine Zeit. Vielleicht morgen?" (Unfortunately, I have no time this evening. Maybe tomorrow?)

- (keine for Zeit (die), a common abstract noun usage).

- Expressing Lack of Knowledge (Spoken):

- "Weißt du, wo der Bahnhof ist?" (Do you know where the train station is?)

- "Tut mir leid, ich habe keine Ahnung." (I'm sorry, I have no idea.)

- (Idiomatic use of keine Ahnung (die).)

- Shopping (Spoken):

- "Gibt es das T-Shirt auch in Blau?" (Is this T-shirt also available in blue?)

- "Nein, wir haben das T-Shirt in Blau leider nicht. Wir haben nur noch keine T-Shirts in Blau." (No, we unfortunately don't have the T-shirt in blue. We only have no T-shirts in blue anymore.)

- (Contrast of nicht for the specific shirt and keine for the general lack of plural T-Shirts).

These examples demonstrate kein's versatility in negating nouns across various contexts. Notice how the sentence structure remains clear and concise, even in informal dialogue, thanks to kein's explicit grammatical markers.

Quick FAQ

Here are quick answers to some common questions learners have about kein, consolidating key distinctions and rules.
  • Q: What is the primary difference between kein and nicht?
  • A: kein is a negative determiner used to negate nouns that would otherwise take an indefinite article (ein) or appear with no article (zero article). It means "not a/an" or "no" (zero quantity). nicht is a negative adverb used to negate verbs, adjectives, adverbs, proper nouns, and nouns with definite articles. If you can count it, or it's a general concept, and it's indefinite, use kein. For everything else, use nicht.
  • Q: Can kein be used to negate an adjective?
  • A: No. Adjectives are negated with nicht. For example, Das ist nicht schön. (That is not beautiful.) Not *Das ist kein schön.
  • Q: Can kein be used with proper nouns (names of people, cities, countries)?
  • A: No. Proper nouns are negated with nicht. For example, Das ist nicht Anna. (That is not Anna.) Not *Das ist kein Anna.
  • Q: Why does kein have plural forms when ein does not?
  • A: The indefinite article ein inherently means "one" (a single item), so it cannot be used with plural nouns. kein, however, means "zero of something." You can have "zero books" (keine Bücher), just as you can have "one book" (ein Buch). Since "zero" can apply to multiple items, kein requires plural forms to reflect this absence of multiple items.
  • Q: How does kein differ from nichts?
  • A: kein is a determiner that modifies a noun (e.g., Ich habe kein Geld. – I have no money.). nichts is an indefinite pronoun meaning "nothing." It stands alone and replaces a noun (e.g., Ich habe nichts. – I have nothing.). While related in meaning, their grammatical function is distinct.
  • Q: Can kein appear in different cases besides Nominative and Accusative?
  • A: Yes, kein can appear in Dative and Genitive cases as well, always mirroring the declension endings of ein for those cases. However, for A1 learners, mastering Nominative and Accusative is the priority, as these cover the vast majority of initial interactions. You will learn the Dative and Genitive forms in later stages.

Kein Inflection Table

Gender Nominative Accusative
Masculine
kein
keinen
Feminine
keine
keine
Neuter
kein
kein
Plural
keine
keine

Meanings

The word 'kein' is the negation particle used specifically for nouns. It replaces the indefinite article 'ein' or 'eine' when the noun is negated.

1

Direct negation

Negating the existence or possession of a noun.

“Ich habe {kein|m} Hunger.”

“Das ist {kein|n} Apfel.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Saying 'No' to Nouns: Negation with 'kein'
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
ein/eine + Noun
Ich habe ein Auto.
Negative
kein/keine + Noun
Ich habe kein Auto.
Question
Hast du ein...?
Hast du ein Auto?
Short Answer
Nein, kein(e)...
Nein, kein Auto.
Plural
keine + Noun
Ich habe keine Äpfel.
Masculine Acc.
keinen + Noun
Ich habe keinen Hund.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
Ich verfüge über keine Zeit.

Ich verfüge über keine Zeit. (Declining an invitation)

Neutral
Ich habe keine Zeit.

Ich habe keine Zeit. (Declining an invitation)

Informal
Ich hab' keine Zeit.

Ich hab' keine Zeit. (Declining an invitation)

Slang
Keine Zeit, Mann!

Keine Zeit, Mann! (Declining an invitation)

Negation Logic

Negation

Nouns

  • kein indefinite

Verbs

  • nicht action
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Examples by Level

1

Ich habe {kein|n} Auto.

I have no car.

2

Das ist {kein|m} Hund.

That is not a dog.

3

Sie hat {keine|f} Zeit.

She has no time.

4

Wir haben {keine|pl} Kinder.

We have no children.

1

Hast du {kein|n} Geld dabei?

Do you have no money with you?

2

Es gibt hier {kein|n} WLAN.

There is no Wi-Fi here.

3

Ich möchte {keine|f} Suppe.

I don't want any soup.

4

Er hat {kein|m} Interesse.

He has no interest.

1

Leider habe ich {kein|n} passendes Werkzeug.

Unfortunately, I have no suitable tool.

2

Es gab {keine|pl} freien Plätze mehr.

There were no free seats left.

3

Ich habe {kein|m} Verständnis für dieses Verhalten.

I have no understanding for this behavior.

4

Sie hat {keine|f} Lust auf Kino.

She doesn't feel like going to the cinema.

1

Es besteht {kein|m} Zweifel an seiner Ehrlichkeit.

There is no doubt about his honesty.

2

Wir haben {keine|pl} weiteren Fragen.

We have no further questions.

3

Er hat {kein|n} Wort gesagt.

He didn't say a word.

4

Es gibt {keine|f} Alternative zu diesem Plan.

There is no alternative to this plan.

1

Es bleibt {kein|m} Raum für Spekulationen.

There is no room left for speculation.

2

Sie hat {keine|f} Mühen gescheut.

She spared no effort.

3

Es gibt {kein|n} Entrinnen aus dieser Situation.

There is no escape from this situation.

4

Er hat {keine|pl} Skrupel gezeigt.

He showed no scruples.

1

Es ist {kein|m} Geringerer als der Professor selbst.

It is none other than the professor himself.

2

Es gibt {keine|f} Notwendigkeit für solche Maßnahmen.

There is no necessity for such measures.

3

Er hat {kein|n} Erbarmen mit den Schwachen.

He has no mercy for the weak.

4

Es sind {keine|pl} Anzeichen von Besserung erkennbar.

There are no signs of improvement visible.

Easily Confused

Saying 'No' to Nouns: Negation with 'kein' vs Kein vs Nicht

Learners mix them up because both mean 'not'.

Saying 'No' to Nouns: Negation with 'kein' vs Kein vs Keine

Gender agreement confusion.

Saying 'No' to Nouns: Negation with 'kein' vs Kein vs Keinen

Case confusion.

Common Mistakes

✗

Ich habe nicht ein Auto.

✓

Ich habe kein Auto.

Use kein for indefinite nouns.
✗

Das ist nicht ein Hund.

✓

Das ist kein Hund.

Kein replaces ein.
✗

Ich habe kein die Zeit.

✓

Ich habe keine Zeit.

Do not use definite articles with kein.
✗

Ich habe nicht Zeit.

✓

Ich habe keine Zeit.

Kein is required for nouns.
✗

Ich habe keinen Zeit.

✓

Ich habe keine Zeit.

Zeit is feminine.
✗

Ich habe kein Äpfel.

✓

Ich habe keine Äpfel.

Plural requires -e.
✗

Ich habe nicht Hunger.

✓

Ich habe keinen Hunger.

Hunger is masculine.
✗

Ich habe keinem Hunger.

✓

Ich habe keinen Hunger.

Accusative case needed.
✗

Es gibt kein Probleme.

✓

Es gibt keine Probleme.

Plural requires -e.
✗

Ich habe nicht ein einziges Wort.

✓

Ich habe kein einziges Wort.

Kein is still preferred.
✗

Es ist nicht ein Fehler.

✓

Es ist kein Fehler.

Standard negation.
✗

Ich habe keinem Grund.

✓

Ich habe keinen Grund.

Accusative case.
✗

Er hat nicht Skrupel.

✓

Er hat keine Skrupel.

Plural negation.

Sentence Patterns

Ich habe ___ ___.

Das ist ___ ___.

Es gibt hier ___ ___.

Ich habe ___ ___ für ___.

Real World Usage

Ordering food constant

Ich möchte kein Fleisch.

Texting very common

Hab kein Geld.

Job interview common

Ich habe keine Fragen.

Travel common

Kein Ticket.

Social media common

Keine Lust!

Food delivery apps common

Kein Zwiebeln.

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💡

The 'Ein' Rule

If you can say 'ein' (a), you can say 'kein' (no).
⚠️

Don't use Nicht

Never use 'nicht' with an indefinite noun.
🎯

Gender Matters

Always check the gender of your noun first.
💬

Directness

Using 'kein' is standard and not considered rude.

Smart Tips

Think: 'Can I say ein?' If yes, use 'kein'.

Ich habe nicht ein Buch. → Ich habe kein Buch.

Default to 'kein' if you are guessing, but learn the gender ASAP.

Ich habe keine Auto. → Ich habe kein Auto.

Use 'kein' to decline items politely.

Ich möchte nicht Suppe. → Ich möchte keine Suppe.

Use 'kein' for clarity.

Es gibt nicht Probleme. → Es gibt keine Probleme.

Pronunciation

/kaɪn/

Kein

Pronounced like 'kine' (rhymes with fine).

Emphatic

Ich habe KEIN Geld!

Strong denial or frustration.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Kein is for nouns, Nicht is for the rest. If you can count it, 'kein' is the best!

Visual Association

Imagine a giant red 'X' over an indefinite object (like a generic apple). The 'X' is shaped like the letter 'K'.

Rhyme

If it's a thing you want to negate, use 'kein' to keep your grammar straight.

Story

Hans goes to the store. He wants an apple (ein Apfel). But the store is empty. He says, 'Ich habe kein Geld.' He sees no apples, so he says, 'Ich habe keine Äpfel.' He is sad.

Word Web

keinkeinekeinenkeinerkeinemkeines

Challenge

Look around your room. Name 5 things you do NOT have using 'Ich habe kein(e)...'.

Cultural Notes

Germans are very direct. 'Kein' is used frequently to set boundaries.

Often used with diminutives.

Similar usage, but often softer in tone.

Derived from Middle High German 'ne ein' (not one).

Conversation Starters

“

Hast du ein Haustier?

“

Hast du Hunger?

“

Gibt es hier ein Problem?

“

Hast du Zeit für ein Treffen?

Journal Prompts

Write about things you don't have in your bag.
Describe a bad day using 'kein'.
Explain why you don't like a certain food.
Discuss a situation where you had no choice.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the blank.

Ich habe ___ Auto.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: kein
Auto is neuter.
Fix the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Ich habe nicht Zeit.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ich habe keine Zeit.
Zeit is feminine.
Select the correct form. Multiple Choice

Hast du ___ Hund?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: keinen
Hund is masculine accusative.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

Arrange the words in the correct order:

All words placed

Click words above to build the sentence

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ich habe keine Zeit.
Standard word order.
Translate to German. Translation

I have no money.

Answer starts with: Ich...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ich habe kein Geld.
Geld is neuter.
Match the gender to the negation. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: keine
Feminine nouns take -e.
Select the plural form. Multiple Choice

Ich habe ___ Kinder.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: keine
Plural nouns take -e.
Fill in the blank.

Er hat ___ Interesse.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: kein
Interesse is neuter.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the blank.

Ich habe ___ Auto.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: kein
Auto is neuter.
Fix the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Ich habe nicht Zeit.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ich habe keine Zeit.
Zeit is feminine.
Select the correct form. Multiple Choice

Hast du ___ Hund?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: keinen
Hund is masculine accusative.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

keine / Ich / Zeit / habe

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ich habe keine Zeit.
Standard word order.
Translate to German. Translation

I have no money.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ich habe kein Geld.
Geld is neuter.
Match the gender to the negation. Match Pairs

Feminine

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: keine
Feminine nouns take -e.
Select the plural form. Multiple Choice

Ich habe ___ Kinder.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: keine
Plural nouns take -e.
Fill in the blank.

Er hat ___ Interesse.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: kein
Interesse is neuter.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Fill in the blank. Fill in the Blank

Wir essen ___ Pizza heute.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: keine
Fix the error. Error Correction

Er hat kein Durst.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Er hat keinen Durst.
Put the words in the correct order. Sentence Reorder

haben / wir / Kinder / keine

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Wir haben keine Kinder.
Translate to German. Translation

I don't have a brother.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ich habe keinen Bruder.
Choose the right negation. Multiple Choice

Das ist ___ Katze.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: keine
Match the noun to the correct `kein` form. Match Pairs

Match the pairs:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: all
Fill in the blank. Fill in the Blank

Ich sehe ___ Sterne am Himmel.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: keine
Fix the mistake. Error Correction

Ich bin kein müde.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ich bin nicht müde.
Which one is right? Multiple Choice

Hast du Geschwister?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Nein, ich habe keine.
Fill in the blank. Fill in the Blank

Das ist ___ Witz!

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: kein

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

Only if the noun is definite (e.g., 'das Auto'). Otherwise, use 'kein'.

Because of the Accusative case for masculine nouns.

Yes, always use 'keine' for plural nouns.

You must learn the noun with its article (der/die/das).

No, names don't take articles.

It is neutral and used everywhere.

It will sound incorrect to native speakers.

It is 'keine' for all genders in plural.

Scaffolded Practice

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4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

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In Other Languages

Spanish partial

no + noun

German requires gender agreement.

French partial

ne... pas de

German uses a single word.

Japanese low

nai

German negates the noun directly.

Arabic moderate

la + noun

German uses 'kein' specifically for indefinite nouns.

Chinese moderate

mei you

German uses 'kein' as an article.

English high

no / not a

German inflects 'kein'.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Foreign Plurals: Museums, Topics & Internships
Next
Poetic Article Omission (Nullartikel)

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