The first structurally characterised two-coordinate hydrido-germylenes, :Ge(H)L (L = -N(Ar){Si(OBu)}, Ar = C6H2{C(H)Ph2}2R-2,6,4; R = Pr(i) ((tBuO)L(†)), Me ((tBuO)L*)), have been prepared, and their dimerisation shown to be thermodynamically unfavourable, largely due to the extreme steric bulk of their amide ligands.