Breakdown of Ich habe kein Kleingeld für die Maschine.
ich
I
haben
to have
kein
no, not any
für
for
die Maschine
the machine (mechanical)
das Kleingeld
the small change
Questions & Answers about Ich habe kein Kleingeld für die Maschine.
Would you use Maschine to talk about a vending machine or ticket machine?
Usually not. In German, a machine that sells tickets, snacks, or drinks is called an Automat. The word Maschine in this sentence most likely refers to something like a coin-operated washing machine (Waschmaschine) in a laundromat or a mechanical coffee maker.
Does Kleingeld literally translate to small money?
Yes, it is a compound noun made from klein (small) and Geld (money). It is the standard everyday word for coins or physical pocket change.
Why does the sentence use kein instead of nicht to say no change?
In German, you use kein to negate a noun that has no article or an indefinite article. Because you would say you have change without an article, you must use kein to negate it. You use nicht when negating verbs, adjectives, or nouns with a definite article.
Which case is used for die Maschine here?
It is in the accusative case. The preposition für always requires the accusative case. Because Maschine is a feminine noun, its article is die in both the nominative and accusative cases.
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