Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| nein | /naɪ̯n/ | standard |
| nee | /neː/ | colloquial |
| nö | [nøː] (narrow) | colloquial |
nein is used as a particle to show disagreement or negation. If you need to express a refusal with strong emphasis, you can use the phrases auf keinen Fall or unter keinen Umständen, both of which mean 'absolutely not'.
Which one should you use?
While nein is the standard particle for 'no', the related form kein is used specifically to mean 'no' or 'none' in the sense of 'not any' when negating a noun.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
nein is the most straightforward and universal way to say 'no' and can be used formally. In formal contexts, if you want to say 'I'm sorry, but that's not possible', you can use 'Es tut mir leid, aber das geht leider nicht'. For casual conversation, you can use the colloquial nee or the very informal and almost blunt nö, which is similar to a clipped 'nope' in English.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the word as a noun to mean 'the word no' or 'a refusal', it is capitalized as Nein.
How do you pronounce it?
/naɪ̯n/
Did you know?
- German speakers often use the word doch to answer a question that contains a negation. It functions as a 'yes' that specifically contradicts a 'no' statement.
- In some German regions, nee is more than just slang. It is a remnant of Low German dialects that shares a closer ancestral link with the Dutch nee than with the standard nein.
- The standard German 'nein' and the English word 'no' share a common ancestor in the phrase 'ne ān', which meant 'not one'.
Examples in context
- Ist das ein nein?Is that a no?This example shows how to ask if a specific word is a 'no'.Tatoeba #6625738 by Felixjp, translation #2549769 by CK
- O nein, nicht der!Oh no, it's him!This example uses 'nein' to express a reaction of 'oh no'.Tatoeba #4405067 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #4381905 by Hybrid
- Ich sage nie nein.I don't ever say no.This example demonstrates the use of 'nein' in a sentence about never saying no.Tatoeba #11824569 by Naina, translation #3822019 by CK
- Kannst du mir bitte helfen? – Nein, tut mir leid.Can you please help me? – No, I'm sorry.
- Könnte ich bitte Ihren Stift ausleihen? – Es tut mir leid, aber das geht leider nicht.Could I borrow your pen, please? – I'm sorry, but that's not possible.
- Hast du Zeit, um mir heute Abend zu helfen? – Ne, leider nicht.Do you have time to help me tonight? – No, unfortunately not.
- Lust auf eine zweite Portion? – Nö, ich bin schon satt.Want a second serving? – Nah, I'm already full.
- Willst du noch Kuchen? – Nix mehr, danke.Do you want more cake? – No more, thanks.
- Gehen wir ins Kino? – Nee, ich möchte heute Zuhause bleiben.Shall we go to the cinema? – Nah, I want to stay home today.
- 1113 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a cafe, Sarah asks Maximilian if he wants more cake.
- SarahMöchtest du noch etwas Kuchen, Maximilian?Would you like some more cake, Maximilian?
- MaximilianNein, danke, ich bin sehr satt.No, thank you, I am very full.
- SarahBist du sicher?Are you sure?
- MaximilianJa, wirklich.Yes, really.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “no” translations and entries nein, nee, nö, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries nee, nein, nö, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
