inesistente
/i.ne.zisˈtɛn.te/
The English word 'nonexistent' is translated into Italian as inesistente.
inesistente is used as an adjective to describe something that is not existent.
Meaning: not existent (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form inesistente is invariant in gender, so it is the same for both masculine and feminine singular nouns. The plural form of this adjective is inesistenti.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has five syllables, with the stress on the fourth syllable: /i.ne.zisˈtɛn.te/.
Did you know?
- If you are describing a person who is 'nonexistent' in terms of their social presence, Italians might use the idiom un fantasma, meaning 'a ghost'.
- The word inesistente is a linguistic 'false friend' to the English word 'insistent'. While they look similar, inesistente means 'not existing' and has nothing to do with being insistent or persistent.
- In Italian law, a 'contratto inesistente' (nonexistent contract) is a specific legal category where a contract is void because it lacks an essential element, rather than just being invalid.
Examples in context
- La disoccupazione in questa parte del paese è virtualmente inesistente.Unemployment in this part of the country is virtually nonexistent.This sentence shows how to use inesistente to describe unemployment levels.Tatoeba #5997764 by Guybrush88, translation #57930 by CM
- Il problema con l'industria dell'animazione svedese è che è, in generale, inesistente.The problem with the Swedish animation industry is that it is, by and large, nonexistent.This sentence demonstrates the use of inesistente when discussing the scale of an industry.Tatoeba #3393767 by Guybrush88, translation #2000288 by Ooneykcall
- Il supporto per questo argomento è completamente assenteSupport for this argument is completely nonexistent
- Quella storia che mi hai raccontato è inesistente!That story you told me is nonexistent!
- Non riesco a trovare quel libro da nessuna parte, sembra inesistente!I can't find that book anywhere, it seems nonexistent!
- Il rispetto per le regole è inesistente in questa classe.Respect for the rules is nonexistent in this class.
Example conversation
Martina and Francesco are discussing a project at work.
- MartinaFrancesco, il supporto tecnico per questo software è inesistente.Francesco, the technical support for this software is nonexistent.
- FrancescoHai ragione, Martina, è un vero problema.You are right, Martina, it is a real problem.
- MartinaDobbiamo trovare un'altra soluzione subito.We must find another solution immediately.
- FrancescoCercherò un altro fornitore domani mattina.I will look for another supplier tomorrow morning.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “nonexistent” translations and entries inesistente, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
