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Dutch Negation

Geen vs. Niet · Niet Placement

GrammarA1
Ik heb geen tijd.
Ik doe het niet.
Dat is niet mijn kat.
boltGeen vs Niet

English uses "not" for almost everything. In Dutch, you must choose between geen (none / not a) and niet (not). The rule is simple: use geen to negate unspecific nouns (nouns without an article, or with 'een'). For absolutely everything else (verbs, adjectives, specific nouns), use niet.

1. When to use Geen
Use caseExample SentenceEnglish
Negating a noun with "een" Dat is geen probleem.
(Not: Dat is niet een probleem)		 That is not a problem.
Negating uncountable nouns Ik drink geen melk. I don't drink milk.
Negating undefined plurals Wij hebben geen auto's. We do not have cars.
2. When to use Niet
Use caseExample SentenceEnglish
Negating an action (verb) Ik fiets niet. I am not cycling.
Negating an adjective De hond is niet groot. The dog is not big.
Negating specific nouns (de/het) Ik zie de man niet. I do not see the man.
Negating possessives (mijn/jouw) Dat is niet mijn jas. That is not my coat.
3. Where to put "Niet" in a sentence!

The hardest part of Dutch negation is where to place "niet". English puts it right after the verb. In Dutch, "niet" likes to be as far to the back as possible, UNLESS it is specifically negating a preposition or adjective.

At the very end of the sentence

When "niet" negates the main action/verb, and there are no prepositional phrases, it goes at the end.

Ik ken hem niet.
(I don't know him.)

BEFORE Adjectives

If negating an adjective, it goes right before it.

De auto is niet snel.
(The car is not fast.)

BEFORE Prepositions

If there is a preposition (op, in, naar, met), "niet" MUST go right before it.

Ik ga niet naar het park.
(I'm not going to the park.)