German word

kein

Pronunciation

IPA/kaɪ̯n/

Meaning

  • articleno

Example

Ich habe kein Geld.

I have no money.

Illustration for kein (no)

More examples

Im Kühlschrank ist kein Essen.

There is no food in the refrigerator.

Core concept

A label on a possible item reads 'none', covering both the absence of one item and the absence of several items.

Common phrases

  • kein Essen

    no food

  • kein Risiko

    no risk

Similar words

ein: An indefinite article before a noun referring to one non-specific person or thing.
der/die/das: A definite article before a noun referring to a particular person or thing.

Definition in German

Zur Verneinung von Substantiven verwendet, steht es vor dem Nomen und erscheint in Formen wie kein, keine, keinen.

Word origin

Kein is a historical shortening of Middle High German dechein 'not any', with its second element connected to the German word ein.

Usage tips

  • In the dative plural, kein becomes keinen before plural nouns, as in mit keinen Freunden, while the nominative and accusative plural use keine.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word