How to say “No” in German
The most common way to say “no” in German. Tap to copy or hear it pronounced.
Nein
Frequently asked
How do you say "No" in German?
"No" in German is "Nein". This is the most common everyday rendering; depending on context, formal/informal or dialectal variants may apply.
How is "Nein" written in German?
"Nein" is the standard written form in German, rendered left-to-right.
How do you pronounce "Nein" in German?
Tap the speaker icon on this page to hear "Nein" pronounced by a native-style synthetic voice. For practice, repeat the phrase out loud immediately after listening — the rhythm and stress are usually what trips learners up, not the individual sounds.
What does "Nein" mean in English?
"Nein" is the German way of saying "No" in English. It's used in everyday conversation in roughly the same situations as the English original.
Are there formal or informal ways to say "No" in German?
Many languages — including German — distinguish formal and informal registers, and may also vary by speaker gender, plurality, or regional dialect. "Nein" is the most broadly understood form; for register-specific variants, use the full translator above with your exact sentence.
Where is German spoken?
German is spoken by an estimated 132 million people worldwide. Use the language page to translate full text and explore where the language is used.
Is there a free German dictionary?
Yes — Polytranslator provides a free German dictionary with word-by-word translations and example usage. Click the dictionary link on this page to look up individual words from "Nein" or any other German text.