ولا واحد منهم
walā wāḥid minhum
The English phrase "none of them" is translated into Arabic as ولا واحد منهم (walā wāḥid minhum).
This phrase is used to indicate that not a single person or thing in a specific group is included.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, ولا واحد منهم means "not even one of them".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Egyptian Arabic, you can express the idea that none of them knows how to swim using كُلّ واحد مِنهُم مش بيعرف يسبح.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the phrase changes based on the gender of the group being discussed. Use the masculine or mixed-gender form ولا واحد منهم. If the group consists entirely of females, use the feminine form ولا واحدة منهم.
How do you pronounce it?
walā wāḥid minhum
Did you know?
- When referring to a group of inanimate objects like books or pens, you must use the masculine form ولا واحد منهم because Arabic treats non-human plurals as masculine singular.
- The word واحد is not only a number but is a central theological term in the 'Shahada' used to describe the absolute oneness of God.
- In Arabic, the phrase ولا واحد can be used as a standalone exclamation to express total disbelief or a flat rejection of all options presented in a conversation.
Examples in context
- سألت عنهم، لكن ولا واحد منهم أجاب.sa'altu 'anhum, lakin wala wahid minhum ajab.I asked them, but none of them answered.
- هؤلاء الطلاب لم يحضروا، ولا واحد منهم نجح.ha'ula' al-tullab lam yahdurou, wala wahid minhum najah.These students didn't attend, and none of them passed.
- حاولت الاتصال بالموظفين، ولكن ولا واحد منهم موجود.hawaltu al-ittisal bil-muwazzafin, walakin wala wahid minhum mawjud.I tried to contact the employees, but none of them are here.
Example conversation
Yusuf and Maryam are talking about some candidates for a job.
- يوسف Youssefهل أعجبك أي من المتقدمين للوظيفة؟hal a'jabaka ay min al-mutaqaddimin lil-wazifa?Did you like any of the job applicants?
- مريم Maryamبصراحة، ولا واحد منهم مناسب.bisaraha, wala wahid minhum munasibHonestly, none of them are suitable.
- يوسف Youssefحقاً؟ ظننت أن هناك بعض الموهوبين.haqqan? zanantu anna hunaka ba'd al-mawhubinReally? I thought there were some talented ones.
- مريم Maryamلا، ولا واحد منهم يملك الخبرة الكافية.la, wala wahid minhum yamlik al-khibra al-kafiyaNo, none of them have enough experience.
