Key learning points

1. Use 'nicht' before definite articles to mean ‘not the’ and 'kein' instead of the indefinite article to mean 'not a, no'.
2. Place 'nicht' before adjectives, adverbs, possessives and proper nouns. Place 'nicht' after verbs and whole phrases.
3. Use 'nichts' to mean 'nothing' or 'not anything', e.g., 'ich sehe nichts.' Use 'nie' to mean 'never'.
4. When performing a role-play, answers should be a short phrase or sentence. Do not add unnecessary detail.
5. It is helpful to categorise vocabulary by theme when revisiting large numbers of words.

Keywords

• Nicht - word meaning 'not'

• Kein - word used in place of the indefinite article to mean 'not a', 'no', 'not any'

• Nichts - word meaning 'nothing' or 'not anything'

• Nie - word meaning 'never'

Common misconception