German word

nicht

Pronunciation

IPA/nɪçt/

Meaning

  • adverbnot

Example

Ich bin nicht müde.

I am not tired.

Illustration for nicht (not)

More examples

Das ist nicht wahr.

That isn't true.

Core concept

A small barrier blocks a statement, action, or state from being accepted as true.

Common phrases

  • nicht wahr?

    not true?

  • nicht nur

    not only

  • nicht so

    not so

Similar words

gar nicht: Strongly denies that a state applies or an action occurs at all.
nicht mehr: Shows that a former state or action has stopped and no longer continues.
noch nicht: Shows that a state or action has not yet begun or been reached as expected.
nie: Shows that an event or state has never occurred at any time.

Definition in German

nicht ist ein Adverb der Verneinung, das anzeigt, dass etwas nicht zutrifft oder nicht vorhanden ist.

Word origin

Nicht developed from Old High German niwiht, formed from ni meaning 'not' and wiht meaning 'thing', and later shortened in sound and form.

Usage tips

  • Nicht negates adjectives and verbs, as in Ich bin nicht müde, while kein usually negates an indefinite noun, as in Ich habe kein Auto.

Other meanings

  • do notadverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word