κανείς
kaneís
The English phrase "no one" is translated into Greek as κανείς (kaneís).
The word is used to express that not even a single person is present or performing an action.
Meaning: not even a single person (pron)
Which one should you use?
While κανείς is the standard form, the form Ουδείς is also used to mean "no one" in more formal contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form κανείς is masculine singular and is used when the gender of the person is unknown or being used generically.
How do you pronounce it?
kaneís
What mistakes should you avoid?
When using κανείς, remember that it requires a negative particle like δε or δεν in the sentence to function correctly, as Greek uses double negatives for emphasis.
Did you know?
- The formal term ουδείς is etymologically related to the word for 'zero' or 'nothing' ουδέν, linking the concept of 'no person' to the mathematical concept of 'nothing'.
- In spoken Greek, the double negative required by κανείς is not just for emphasis but is a strict grammatical requirement called 'negative concord'.
- The word κανείς can also mean 'someone' or 'anyone' when used in an affirmative sentence. For example, 'Does anyone want coffee?' uses the same word as 'no one wants coffee'.
Examples in context
- Κανείς δε θα φύγει.No one will leave.Tatoeba #10678054 by amoeba, translation #10659999 by Objectivesea
- Κανείς δε θα μιλήσει.No one will talk.Tatoeba #5613078 by Zeus, translation #2091104 by CK
- Κανείς δε θα υποφέρει.No one will suffer.Tatoeba #5517456 by Zeus, translation #4502406 by CK
- Δεν ήρθε κανείς στο πάρτι.No one came to the party.
- Ο πίνακας δεν άρεσε σε κανέναν άλλο.No one else liked the painting.
- Κανείς δεν έκανε την εργασία.No one did the work.
- 59 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Dimitris and Kyriaki are standing in an empty room.
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΚανείς δεν είναι εδώ.Kaneis den einai edo.No one is here.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΕίναι πολύ σιωπηλό.Einai poly siopilo.It is very quiet.
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΚανείς δεν ήρθε στο πάρτι;Kaneis den irthe sto parti;No one came to the party?
- Κυριακή KyriakiΌχι, Δημήτρη, κανείς.Ochi, Dimitri, kaneis.No, Dimitris, no one.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry κανείς, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
