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     Table of Contents Chapter 12 12.7 Keiner and niemand
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Chapter 12: Negation in German

  12.7 Keiner and niemand


One could think that keiner (no one, none) and niemand (nobody) mean the same thing. If thinking a bit about it you'll notice that in fact it's not the same.

While kein/e/er can be used as an adjective niemand can never be used adjectivally. Furthermore niemand always refers to a person;kein/e/er can also refer to persons and to non-living things. With niemand there is no Genitive participial construction possible.

  Examples:

niemand can not be used adjectivally
correct: Kein Mensch kann vierzig Sprachen. = No man knows forty languages.
incorrect: Niemand Mensch kennt vierzig Sprachen. = Nobody man knows forty languages.

niemand always refers to a person
correct: Hast Du eine Katze gesehen? Nein, ich habe keine Katze gesehen.
               = Did you see a cat?No, I did not see a cat.
incorrect: Hast Du eine Katze gesehen? Nein, ich habe niemand Katze gesehen.
               = Did you see a cat? No, I did see nobody cat.

with niemand there is no Genitive participial construction possible
correct: Keiner von ihnen ist reich. = No one of them is rich.
incorrect: Niemand von ihnen ist reich. = Nobody of them is rich.

But as you see the logic is the same in English. Therefore you can be sure to make the right choice out of instinct. The best advice to give you about this issue is: Don't think about it, do it according to instincts and you'll be right.
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