Translation of German word "nie" to English
nie
/niː/
Meaning
VerbNot, not at all. Used before different, before comparatives with more and less, and idiomatically before other comparatives.
How to use
nie ('never') is an adverb (not a verb). Ich war nie dort — I was never there. Besser spät als nie — Better late than never.
🇬🇧 English
no
Example
Ich sage nie, was ich nicht tue.
I never say what I don't do.
Er sagt nie, was er nicht tut.
He never says what he doesn't do.
Your personal vocabulary
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Common phrases
- nie wieder— never again
- fast nie— almost never / hardly ever
This concept in other languages
📖 Related grammar
Frequency rank: #871 in German
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the definition of the German word "nie"?▼
The German word "nie" is defined as: "Not, not at all. Used before different, before comparatives with more and less, and idiomatically before other comparatives."
What does the German word "nie" mean?▼
The German word "nie" means "no" in English.
How do you pronounce the German word "nie"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "nie" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "nie"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "Man sagt nie, was man nicht tut." (which translates as "I never say what I don't do.").
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