keine Antwort
/ˈkaɪ̯nə ˈantvɔʁt/word by word
The English phrase "no answer" is translated into German as keine Antwort.
keine Antwort refers to the state of not receiving a reply to a question or communication.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase uses the negative indefinite article keine to negate the noun Antwort.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase is constructed using the negative indefinite article keine to negate the noun Antwort.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkaɪ̯nə ˈantvɔʁt/
Did you know?
- While keine Antwort is the state of no reply, Germans often use the term Funkstille 'radio silence' to describe a period where someone intentionally gives no answer.
- In German, the verb antworten is used with the dative case, meaning you literally give an answer 'to someone' rather than just answering them.
- The word Antwort changed its grammatical gender from neuter to feminine over time because it became mentally linked to the word Frage 'question' which is feminine.
Examples in context
- Können Sie mir bei diesem Projekt helfen?Can you help me with this project?
- Ich bedauere, aber ich habe bereits andere Verpflichtungen.I regret it, but I already have other commitments.
- Können Sie mir bitte eine Fristverlängerung geben?Can you please give me an extension?
- Es tut mir leid, aber das ist gegen die Richtlinien.I'm sorry, but that goes against the policies.
- Hast du Zeit, um mir beim Umzug zu helfen?Do you have time to help me with the move?
- Ich würde gerne helfen, aber ich habe bereits andere Pläne.I'd love to help, but I already have other plans.
- Kannst du mir dein Auto leihen?Can you lend me your car?
- Auf keinen Fall! Ich brauche es selbst.Absolutely not! I need it myself.
- Ich habe auf seine E-Mail keine Antwort erhalten.I received no answer to his email.
- Es gab leider keine Antwort auf meine Frage.Unfortunately, there was no answer to my question.
- Trotz mehrmaliger Versuche gab es keine Antwort.Despite several attempts, there was no answer.
Example conversation
Felix and Julia are discussing a missed business call.
- FelixHast du ihn angerufen?Did you call him?
- JuliaJa, aber ich habe keine Antwort bekommen.Yes, but I got no answer.
- FelixVielleicht ist er gerade in einem Meeting.Maybe he is in a meeting right now.
- JuliaDas kann sein, ich versuche es später noch einmal.That could be, I will try again later.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (keine, Antwort) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Antwort, CC BY-SA 4.0.
