German · B1 · Everyday language
Neither Option Works in German
Use weder ... noch to calmly explain that neither of two choices fits. This pattern means “neither ... nor” and already makes the statement negative, so no extra nicht is needed.
What you'll learn
- Link two excluded choices with weder ... noch.
- Use the pattern with subjects, objects and time expressions.
- Explain limits and plans calmly in everyday family conversations.
German phrases for neither option works
Weder dein Tablet noch dein Handy gehören auf den Esstisch.
Neither your tablet nor your phone belongs on the dinner table.
Gehören auf means “belong on” when saying where something should be.
Weder Fußball noch Schwimmen passen heute in unsere Pläne.
Neither football nor swimming fits into our plans today.
Schwimmen is capitalized because it is used as a noun: “swimming.”
Dein Projekt braucht weder teure Materialien noch spezielle Werkzeuge.
Your project needs neither expensive materials nor special tools.
Weder ... noch links two accusative objects after braucht.
Weder Samstag noch Sonntag passen für die Übernachtung.
Neither Saturday nor Sunday works for the sleepover.
Passen means “work” or “be suitable” when discussing possible dates.
Weder du noch dein Freund müsst dieses Problem allein lösen.
Neither you nor your friend has to solve this problem alone.
Du and dein Freund together correspond to ihr, giving müsst. This is reassurance: neither person needs to manage alone.
Ich habe heute Abend weder die Zeit noch die Energie für eine weitere Einkaufstour.
I have neither the time nor the energy for another shopping trip tonight.
The paired objects follow habe. Heute Abend means “tonight” when referring to this evening.
Weder die Küche noch das Wohnzimmer sind ruhig genug für eine Aufnahme.
Neither the kitchen nor the living room is quiet enough for recording.
Genug follows the adjective: ruhig genug means “quiet enough.”
Weder dieses Spiel noch der Film da sind für deinen jüngeren Cousin geeignet.
Neither this game nor that film is suitable for your younger cousin.
Der Film da is a natural spoken way to say “that film.” For a female cousin, use deine jüngere Cousine after für.
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Try it free for 7 daysKey words
weder ... noch
neither ... nor
Place weder before the first excluded item and noch before the second.
der Esstisch
dinner table; dining table
Auf den Esstisch uses the accusative in the expression auf den Esstisch gehören.
in unsere Pläne passen
to fit into our plans
A useful expression for explaining that an activity does or does not fit your schedule.
die Übernachtung
overnight stay; sleepover
For a child's sleepover, context usually makes the meaning clear.
das Problem lösen
to solve the problem
With a modal verb, lösen goes at the end: Du musst das Problem lösen.
die Aufnahme
recording
Can refer to an audio or video recording in this context.
für jemanden geeignet sein
to be suitable for someone
Für takes the accusative: für deinen jüngeren Cousin.
Two exclusions, no extra nicht
Weder ... noch excludes both items. Do not add nicht or kein to express the same negation. Link matching grammatical elements, such as two nouns or two phrases.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Two nouns | weder + noun + noch + noun | Wir brauchen weder Papier noch Kleber. |
| Two phrases | weder + phrase + noch + phrase | Das passt weder heute Abend noch morgen früh. |
Position in the sentence
Keep weder and noch directly before the items they link. When the linked subjects come first, the whole subject group occupies the first position, followed by the finite verb. Linked objects can follow the verb.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Linked subjects first | Weder + subject + noch + subject + finite verb | Weder dein Tablet noch dein Handy gehören auf den Esstisch. |
| Linked objects | subject + finite verb + weder + object + noch + object | Dein Projekt braucht weder teure Materialien noch spezielle Werkzeuge. |
Verb agreement and modal verbs
A plural verb can treat the two linked subjects as a group. With two singular third-person subjects, singular agreement is also possible. When du and another person form a combined plural subject, use the ihr form. With a modal verb, the main infinitive goes at the end.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Plural agreement | two linked subjects + plural verb | Weder die Küche noch das Wohnzimmer sind ruhig genug. |
| Singular agreement is also possible | two singular third-person subjects + singular verb | Weder Samstag noch Sonntag passt. |
| Du plus another person | weder du noch ... + müsst + ... + infinitive | Weder du noch dein Freund müsst dieses Problem allein lösen. |
More examples
Wir haben heute weder Zeit für den Spielplatz noch für das Schwimmbad.
Today we have time for neither the playground nor the swimming pool.
The two linked für phrases name activities that do not fit today's schedule.
Du brauchst weder neue Stifte noch ein neues Heft.
You need neither new pens nor a new notebook.
Weder ... noch links two objects; no extra nicht is needed.
Wir können weder heute noch morgen kommen. Am Freitag haben wir Zeit.
We can come neither today nor tomorrow. We have time on Friday.
Follow the exclusions with an available option to keep the conversation constructive.