Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| auf keinen Fall | |
| keineswegs | /ˈkaɪ̯nəsˌveːks/ |
| nie im Leben | /ˌniː ɪm ˈleːbən/ |
| nichts da | /ˈnɪçtsˌda/ |
| nix da | /ˈnɪksˌda/ |
These phrases are used to express that something is absolutely not possible or to provide a strong, definitive refusal.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase auf keinen Fall literally translates to "in no case".
Which one should you use?
Auf keinen Fall is the most common way to express a strong, definitive refusal or impossibility. Keineswegs is more formal and slightly more sophisticated than auf keinen Fall. Nie im Leben is used for hyperbolic emphasis, similar to saying "not in a million years". Nix da is a very colloquial, blunt way to say "no way" or "no chance", often used to dismiss a suggestion immediately.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a more formal way to say "that's out of the question", you can use Das kommt nicht in Frage. In informal situations, Keine Chance means "no chance" and nix da is a very colloquial, blunt way to say "no way" or "no chance".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Switzerland, the phrase Uf keni Fall is used for "no way".
How does it change in a sentence?
In a sentence, auf keinen Fall can function as an adverbial phrase and can be placed at the beginning of a sentence for emphasis, which triggers inversion of the subject and verb.
Did you know?
- The word Fall in the phrase auf keinen Fall is a 'calque' of the Latin word casus, meaning the Germans adopted the Latin way of using the word 'fall' to mean a specific 'case'.
- The colloquial nix da uses the word nix, which is a slang version of nichts. In very informal German, replacing 'chs' with 'x' often signals a blunt or dismissive tone.
Examples in context
- Das wird auf keinen Fall reichen.There's no way that's going to be enough.This example shows how to use auf keinen Fall to express that something will not be enough.Tatoeba #7843581 by brauchinet, translation #7842597 by CK
- So etwas täte Tom auf keinen Fall.There's no way Tom would do something like that.This example uses auf keinen Fall to say that someone would never do something.Tatoeba #7556702 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #6233713 by CK
- Ich kann das keineswegs akzeptieren.There's no way I can accept that.This example uses keineswegs to express that something cannot be accepted.Tatoeba #664860 by Manfredo, translation #11252459 by sundown
- Auf keinen Fall kann ich diese Entscheidung unterstützen.There is no way I can support this decision.
- Uf keni Fall chan ich diä Sache akzeptiere.No way can I accept this situation.
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julian asks Julia to lend him her new car.
- JulianKann ich dein neues Auto heute ausleihen?Can I borrow your new car today?
- JuliaAuf keinen Fall, Julian!No way, Julian!
- JulianWarum nicht? Ich fahre sehr vorsichtig.Why not? I drive very carefully.
- JuliaDas ist mir einfach zu riskant.It's simply too risky for me.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “no way” translations and entries auf keinen Fall, keineswegs, nie im Leben, nichts da, nix da, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Fall, Leben, auf, im, keineswegs, nie, nie im Leben, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
