Ich nicht
/ɪç nɪçt/word by word
The German phrase for "I am not" is Ich nicht.
Ich nicht is used as a short response to disagree with a positive statement made by someone else.
Which one should you use?
While Ich nicht is used to disagree with a positive statement, the phrase Ich auch nicht means "I am not either" and is used to agree with a negative statement (for example, if someone says "I am not hungry," you would respond with Ich auch nicht).
How does it change in a sentence?
In this elliptical construction, the verb bin (to be) is omitted, which is common in German responses.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɪç nɪçt/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly try to use Ich bin nicht as a short response. Instead, you should drop the verb and simply say Ich nicht.
Did you know?
- The word nicht originally combined the words for 'never' and 'creature' or 'being'. Literally, it began as a way to say 'not a creature'.
- While Ich nicht is a short response, adding the word doch in certain contexts can create a 'contradictory' agreement that defies simple translation into English.
- In formal German writing, the pronoun ich is not capitalized unless it starts a sentence, unlike the English 'I' which is always capitalized.
Examples in context
- Heute komme ich nicht.I am not coming today.This sentence shows how to use Ich nicht in the context of a daily plan.Tatoeba #1584290 by Esperantostern, translation #860090 by piksea
- Ken ist groß, ich nicht.Ken is tall, I am not.This sentence demonstrates using Ich nicht to contrast oneself with another person.Tatoeba #1044303 by Sudajaengi, translation #1633345 by GeeZ
- Ich übersetze nicht, drum bin ich nicht.I don't translate, therefore I am not.This sentence shows a philosophical use of the phrase Ich nicht.Tatoeba #5511578 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #5509852 by Adelpa
- Nein, ich bin nicht müde.No, I am not tired.
- Es tut mir leid, aber ich bin nicht verfügbar.I'm sorry, but I am not available.
- Nein, ich bin nicht interessiert.No, I'm not interested.
- Nee, ich bin nicht der größte Fan davon.No, I'm not the biggest fan of it.
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing their diets at a café.
- LukasDu bist sehr gesund.You are very healthy.
- HannahIch nicht, ich esse viel Schokolade.I am not, I eat a lot of chocolate.
- LukasDas ist kein Problem.That is no problem.
- HannahDanke, Lukas.Thanks, Lukas.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (Ich, nicht) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Ich, ich, nicht, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
