Das Buch ist neu, nicht alt.

The book is new, not old.

Breakdown of Das Buch ist neu, nicht alt.

• sein: to be
• neu: new
• nicht: not
• das Buch: the book
• alt: old

Questions & Answers about Das Buch ist neu, nicht alt.

Why does the sentence say "Das Buch" with the article "das"?

"Buch" is a neuter noun in German, so it naturally takes the neuter article "das". If you said "der Buch" or "die Buch," it would be incorrect because the gender does not match.

Why is there a comma before "nicht alt"?

The comma here separates the main statement ("Das Buch ist neu") from an added clarification ("nicht alt"). In German, commas can be used to separate contrasting or additional elements, though this specific comma is somewhat optional and often used for emphasis.

Why do we use "ist" instead of "bin" or "sind"?

The verb form "ist" is the third-person singular present tense of "sein" (to be). Since the subject is "das Buch" (third-person singular), we must use "ist" (he/she/it is).

Is it common to say something like "Das Buch ist neu, nicht alt" in everyday German?

Yes, it's quite normal. Emphasizing the positive statement "neu" and directly negating the opposite adjective "alt" is a common way to clarify exactly what you mean. It also adds emphasis to the difference between "new" and "old".

Could I replace "nicht alt" with something else to emphasize the opposite meaning?

Absolutely. For instance, you could say "Das Buch ist neu, kein altes Buch" (The book is new, not an old book). However, "nicht alt" is a simpler way to say it directly without repeating "Buch".