Difference between nicht and nichts in German

[Lina84212]

What is the difference?

[Heike333145]

In general, the difference is the same as between "not" and "nothing".

Nicht = not

Nichts = nothing

Ich singe nicht. = I do not sing.

Im Kühlschrank ist nichts. = There is nothing in the fridge.

[thwain]

nicht = not, nichts = nothing. Ich weiß nicht = I do not know; Ich weiß nichts = I know nothing.