German Phrase
Nein, andere Gebäude verdecken es.
Meaning
The sentence means ‘No, other buildings cover it.’ It is used to deny that something is visible or accessible because surrounding structures block the view.
When to use
Use this phrase when someone asks if you can see something (a landmark, a view, a sign) and you need to explain that the line of sight is blocked by neighboring buildings.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Nein,andereGebäudeverdeckenes.
Negation with Nein
‘Nein’ is a standalone negation meaning ‘no’. It can start a sentence to directly contradict a previous statement.
Indefinite adjective ‘andere’
‘andere’ means ‘other’ and agrees in case, number, and gender with the noun it modifies – here the plural noun ‘Gebäude’.
Plural noun ‘Gebäude’
‘Gebäude’ is a neuter noun that has the same form in singular and plural; the article or adjective shows the number.
Verb ‘verdecken’ (3rd person plural)
‘verdecken’ means ‘to cover, to obscure’. In the present tense it is conjugated as ‘verdecken’ for ‘sie/they’ (here ‘andere Gebäude’).
Pronoun ‘es’
‘es’ is the neuter singular pronoun referring to a previously mentioned object (e.g., ‘der Ausblick’, ‘die Sicht’).
🗨In Conversation
Können wir das Schloss von hier aus sehen?
Can we see the castle from here?
Nein, andere Gebäude verdecken es.
No, other buildings cover it.
✕Common Mistakes
Nein, andere Gebäude verstecken es.
‘verstecken’ means ‘to hide’ (something you put away), not ‘to cover’ a view.
Nein, andere Gebäude verdeckt es.
The verb must agree with the plural subject ‘Gebäude’; ‘verdeckt’ is singular.
Nein, andere Gebäuden verdecken es.
‘Gebäude’ is neuter and does not change in the plural; the correct form is ‘Gebäude’.
↔Alternatives
Nein, es wird von anderen Gebäuden verdeckt.
No, it is being blocked by other buildings.
Leider verdecken andere Gebäude die Sicht.
Unfortunately other buildings block the view.
Nein, die Sicht ist durch andere Gebäude versperrt.
No, the view is blocked by other buildings.
Cultural Tip
German speakers often prefer a direct ‘Nein’ followed by a concise explanation. In formal contexts you might soften it with ‘Leider’ (unfortunately) or ‘Bedauerlicherweise’. Also note that ‘Gebäude’ stays the same in singular and plural, so the adjective ‘andere’ is the key word that signals the plural.