German Phrase
Nein, mach ich nicht.
Meaning
A brief, informal way to refuse or say that you are not going to do something. It translates to “No, I’m not doing that.” The tone can be neutral or slightly emphatic depending on context.
When to use
Use this phrase in casual conversation with friends, family, or colleagues when you want to decline an invitation, a suggestion, or a request. It is too informal for formal business settings or written communication.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Neinmachichnicht
Negation with "nicht"
"nicht" negates the verb or the whole clause and is placed after the verb in simple statements.
Verb ellipsis (dropping the -e)
In spoken German the present‑tense ending -e of "mache" is often omitted, giving "mach ich".
Word order in a short negative reply
The order is: negation particle (Nein), verb, subject, negation word (nicht).
🗨In Conversation
Willst du heute Abend mit uns ins Kino gehen?
Do you want to go to the cinema with us tonight?
Nein, mach ich nicht.
No, I’m not doing that.
✕Common Mistakes
Ich nicht mache.
The verb must stay in the correct position; "nicht" comes after the verb, not before it.
Mach ich nicht.
In formal writing you should keep the -e: "mache ich nicht".
Nein, ich mache nicht.
While understandable, the more natural spoken order is "mach ich nicht"; "ich mache nicht" sounds incomplete without an object.
↔Alternatives
Nein, das mache ich nicht.
No, I don’t do that.
Nee, mach ich nicht.
Nah, I’m not doing it.
Ich mache das nicht.
I’m not doing that.
Cultural Tip
Germans value directness, especially in informal settings. A short "Nein, mach ich nicht" is perfectly acceptable among peers, but in more formal contexts you might soften it with "Leider nicht" (Unfortunately, no) or add a brief explanation. Also, note that the colloquial dropping of the -e in "mache" is typical in spoken German but should be avoided in formal writing.