German Conversation · Level 1
85 words
German word
nein
Pronunciation
IPA/naɪ̯n/
Meaning
- interjectionno
Example
Nein, danke.
No, thanks.
More examples
Ich musste leider nein sagen.
Unfortunately, I had to say no.
Core concept
A raised hand that stops an offer, question, or claim at once.
Common phrases
nein, danke.
No, thank you
nein, das geht nicht.
No, that's not possible
Similar words
nee: A familiar, informal form of no.
nö: A low-key colloquial refusal or negative response.
doch: A quick rebuttal affirming that a denied claim is actually true.
Definition in German
Kurzantwort, mit der man ein Angebot, eine Frage oder eine Behauptung verneint.
Word origin
Nein is an inherited Germanic word related to English no and nay and Dutch nee.
Usage tips
- Nein, danke. gives a polite refusal, while a bare Nein can sound more abrupt depending on intonation.
Opposites
- jayesinterjection
Related words
- verneinendenyverb
- Verneinungnegationnoun