🚫🤲🎛️

How to Say ‘I won't give it to you’ in German

Ich gebe sie dir nicht

ikh GAY-beh zee deer nicht

[ikh GAY-beh zee deer nicht]

💬 Usage Tip: Here sie means "it" because it stands for die Fernbedienung, and a die word gets sie. A der word like der Schlüssel "the key" would get ihn instead: Ich gebe ihn dir nicht.

Phrase Breakdown

Ich gebe

ikh GAY-beh

I give

From 'geben' (to give). The 'e' in 'gebe' is long.

Example

Ich gebe dir das Buch.

I'll give you the book.

Words in this phrase

Ich

[ikh]

The pronoun 'ich' in nominative form.

Example

Ich bin da.

I am here.

gebe

[GAY-beh]

give

First person singular of 'geben' (to give).

Example

Ich gebe dir das Buch.

I give you the book.

sie dir nicht

zee deer nicht

it to you not

In German, the object 'sie' comes before 'dir', and 'nicht' goes at the end.

Example

Ich zeige sie dir nicht.

I won't show it to you.

Words in this phrase

sie

[zee]

it / her

Accusative pronoun referring to a feminine noun, here translated as 'it'.

Example

Die Tasche? Ich nehme sie.

The bag? I'll take it.

dir

[deer]

to you

Dative pronoun meaning 'to you' in informal singular form.

Example

Ich sende dir später die Adresse.

I will send you the address later.

nicht

[nicht]

not

Used to negate a sentence.

Example

Dieses Angebot gibt's nicht mehr.

This offer no longer exists.

Guides for German learners

Duolingo vs Pimsleur: Tapping on a Screen or Talking Out Loud?Duolingo vs Pimsleur: five minutes of tapping versus thirty minutes of speaking. What each is good at, what each costs, and which to pick for your goal.

Get the Full Learning Experience

This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.

Pronunciation Feedback

AI-powered feedback on what you say out loud

Spaced Repetition

Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice

Immersive Roleplaying

Practice real conversations with AI partners

Lessons for Your Situation

Request lessons tailored to your specific needs

Get Full Lesson

What Learners Are Saying

“Berlin bureaucracy requires real German. This app got me from zero to handling my Anmeldung appointment in three weeks. My coworkers couldn’t believe it.”

Emma L., 27, UX Researcher

“Relocated to Munich with my family. The everyday scenarios — grocery shopping, doctor visits, school meetings — are exactly what we needed to settle in.”

Marcus J., 40, Engineer

“Learning a language has never been as immediately impactful. Now I can charm the locals and navigate the food scene like a boss.”

Alex M., 42, Software Engineer