Answers
Nov 06, 2013 - 07:33 PM
I think "kein" is basically the opposite of ein. So it means "not a/one" and is used with indefinite nouns. "Es gibt hier keine Taxis." On the other hand, "nicht" means "not" and is used in a general sense or with verbs or nouns with DEFINITE articles. "Das Bier ist nicht gut." "Ich trinke nicht."
Nov 07, 2013 - 04:24 PM
You explained it a little more simpler for me, thank you.
Nov 13, 2014 - 02:25 PM
Hi, just a follow up on this question. Can I say either then:
Ich habe kein Geld (I have no money)
Ich habe Geld nicht (I don't have money)
Ich habe kein Geld (I have no money)
Ich habe Geld nicht (I don't have money)
Nov 14, 2014 - 06:48 PM
Thanks!
Nov 17, 2014 - 10:06 AM
I would always use "Ich habe kein Geld". The second phrase sounds weird to me like "I have not money" would sound in English. I would use the general rule:
Use kein: when negating a noun with ein/eine in front or a noun without an article (der,die or das or "the" in English)
Use nicht: has a article, proper noun, or noun proceeded by mein, dein etc
In the examples that parricc provided:
"Es gibt hier keine taxis" Taxis does not have its article "die" (for plural) so you would use kein
"Das bier ist nicht gut" Bier has its article so you would use nicht. "Ich trinke nicht" Ich (proper noun) so use nicht
Hope that clarifies. "Ich habe kein Geld" You are negating the money (not the Ich in this case) and money does not have an article so you would use kein.
Use kein: when negating a noun with ein/eine in front or a noun without an article (der,die or das or "the" in English)
Use nicht: has a article, proper noun, or noun proceeded by mein, dein etc
In the examples that parricc provided:
"Es gibt hier keine taxis" Taxis does not have its article "die" (for plural) so you would use kein
"Das bier ist nicht gut" Bier has its article so you would use nicht. "Ich trinke nicht" Ich (proper noun) so use nicht
Hope that clarifies. "Ich habe kein Geld" You are negating the money (not the Ich in this case) and money does not have an article so you would use kein.