German word

keinesfalls

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈkaɪ̯nəsˌfals/

Meaning

  • adverbnever

Example

Das darfst du keinesfalls tun.

You must never do that.

Illustration for keinesfalls (never)

More examples

Risiken darf man keinesfalls unterschätzen.

Risks must never be underestimated.

Core concept

A red stop sign stands at the entrance to every possible option.

Common phrases

  • keinesfalls vergessen

    never forget

  • keinesfalls zulassen

    never allow

  • keinesfalls unterschätzen

    never underestimate

Similar words

auf keinen Fall: Rejects an action or possibility without allowing any exception.
niemals: Denies that something ever happens or will happen.
nie: Describes something as not happening even once.
keineswegs: Rejects a claim as completely untrue.

Definition in German

Kennzeichnet etwas als völlig ausgeschlossen oder verboten und drückt dabei eine starke Verneinung aus.

Word origin

The adverb combines kein, meaning 'no', with Fall, meaning a case or situation, and became fixed as one word.

Usage tips

  • Unlike time-based English 'never', keinesfalls usually rejects an action or possibility rather than describing when it happens.

Opposites

Word lists with this word