nicht
not
Negates a statement, action, or state. It shows that something is not the case or does not happen.
EXAMPLE
Ich komme heute nicht zur Arbeit.
I'm not coming to work today.
nicht
not
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Meanings
nicht
not
Specifically negates a particular word or part of a sentence and contrasts it with another possibility.
EXAMPLE
Sie f?hrt nicht mit dem Zug, sondern mit dem Bus.
She is traveling not by train, but by bus.
nicht mehr
no longer
Expresses that something used to be the case or happen, but is no longer the case now.
EXAMPLE
Mein Bruder wohnt nicht mehr in Berlin.
My brother no longer lives in Berlin.
noch nicht
not yet
Expresses that something has not happened up to now, but may still happen or is expected to happen later.
EXAMPLE
Der Film hat noch nicht angefangen.
The film has not started yet.
nicht einmal
not even
Negates something and emphasizes that it is not the case despite particularly low expectations or a favorable opportunity.
EXAMPLE
Er hat nicht einmal angerufen.
He did not even call.
nicht nur ... sondern auch
not only ... but also
Connects two statements and emphasizes that, in addition to the first point mentioned, another one also applies.
EXAMPLE
Sie spricht nicht nur Deutsch, sondern auch Spanisch.
She speaks not only German, but also Spanish.
wenn nicht
if not / unless
Introduces a condition that states an exception or the less likely of two possibilities; depending on the context, it means 'au?er wenn' (unless) or 'falls es nicht' (if it does not).
EXAMPLE
Wir gehen morgen spazieren, wenn es nicht regnet.
We will go for a walk tomorrow if it does not rain.
Usage tips
Word order
'Nicht' (not) usually comes directly before the part of the sentence it negates. When it negates the entire action, it often appears relatively late in the sentence; when placed before a specific word, it gives that word particular emphasis.
EXAMPLE
Ich kaufe heute nicht das rote Kleid.
I'm not buying the red dress today.
Short answer
In response to a yes-or-no question, 'nicht' (not) can also stand alone as a short answer. It then negates the entire question and is often accompanied by a more detailed explanation.
EXAMPLE
Kommst du heute mit? ? Nein, leider nicht.
Are you coming along today? ? No, unfortunately not.
Specific negation
When 'nicht' (not) negates only a particular part of a sentence, it comes immediately before that part. A following contrast with 'sondern' (but rather) makes the distinction especially clear.
EXAMPLE
Wir treffen uns nicht am Montag, sondern am Dienstag.
We are meeting not on Monday, but on Tuesday.
Fixed combination
In 'nicht mehr' (no longer), 'mehr' refers to a previous situation that has now ended. The combination often comes before expressions of place, expressions of time, or other complements.
EXAMPLE
Seit dem Umzug arbeitet sie nicht mehr bei dieser Firma.
Since moving, she no longer works for this company.
Time reference
'Noch nicht' (not yet) shows that an expected event has not happened up to now. When referring to a completed action, the combination is often used with the perfect tense or the present tense.
EXAMPLE
Die G?ste sind noch nicht angekommen.
The guests have not arrived yet.
Emphatic negation
'Nicht einmal' (not even) highlights a particularly small, simple, or expected action that nevertheless did not happen. Here, 'einmal' does not necessarily refer to a specific number of times.
EXAMPLE
Sie hatte nicht einmal Zeit f?r eine kurze Pause.
She did not even have time for a short break.
Fixed structure
The structure 'nicht nur ..., sondern auch ...' (not only ... but also ...) connects two equivalent parts of a sentence or two statements. The additional point that also applies follows 'sondern auch' (but also).
EXAMPLE
Der Kurs ist nicht nur interessant, sondern auch sehr praktisch.
The course is not only interesting, but also very practical.
Conditional clause
'Wenn nicht' (if not) introduces a subordinate clause with a negative condition. In this subordinate clause, the conjugated verb comes at the end; the exact meaning depends on the context.
EXAMPLE
Wir fahren mit dem Fahrrad, wenn es nicht zu kalt ist.
We will go by bicycle if it is not too cold.
Compare with
nicht vs nichts
nothing
Nichts is a pronoun and itself refers to the absent thing. Nicht does not refer to a thing; it negates a statement, action, or state. Use nichts for “no thing” and nicht when, for example, a specific action is being negated.
nicht
Bei der Kontrolle fand ich den Fehler nicht.
I didn't find the error during the inspection.
nichts
Bei der Kontrolle fand ich nichts.
I found nothing during the inspection.
In real life
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