Meaning
Expressing dislike.
Cultural Background
Children are often taught to say 'Ich mag das nicht' instead of just 'Nein', but 'Ich mag nicht' is the most natural way they express boundaries. In Austria, you might hear 'I mog net' in dialect, which is the same phrase but with a regional accent.
Short and Sweet
If you are overwhelmed, just say 'Ich mag nicht.' It's a complete sentence!
Meaning
Expressing dislike.
Short and Sweet
If you are overwhelmed, just say 'Ich mag nicht.' It's a complete sentence!
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing word.
Willst du spielen? - Nein, ich ___ nicht.
'Ich mag nicht' is the standard short refusal.
Which sentence is correct?
You don't like the soup.
The negation 'nicht' comes after the object in this structure.
Match the German to the English.
Refusals
These are different levels of formality for refusal.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Things you might not 'mag'
Food
- • {der|m} Brokkoli
- • {die|f} Suppe
Practice Bank
3 exercisesWillst du spielen? - Nein, ich ___ nicht.
'Ich mag nicht' is the standard short refusal.
You don't like the soup.
The negation 'nicht' comes after the object in this structure.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are different levels of formality for refusal.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
1 questionsIt can be blunt. To be safer, add 'heute' (today) or 'gerade' (right now).
Related Phrases
Ich habe keine Lust
similarI don't feel like it
Das gefällt mir nicht
similarI don't like that (visually/aesthetically)
