rien
/ʁjɛ̃/
The French word for "nothing" is rien. Wiktionary also lists nulle chose.
Meaning: not any thing (pron)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| rien | /ʁjɛ̃/ | |
| nulle chose | feminine |
The word rien is the standard way to express that there is not any thing. You may also encounter the phrase pas grand-chose, which is used to mean "not much".
Which one should you use?
While rien is the standard term, nulle chose is a much more formal, literary or emphatic way to say "nothing".
How does it change in a sentence?
In standard French, rien is used as part of a two-part negation ne … rien to mean "not … anything" or "nothing". However, in informal spoken French, the ne is often dropped, leaving only rien to express the negation.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʁjɛ̃/
Did you know?
- The French word rien comes from the Latin word rem, which actually meant 'thing'. Over time, the word shifted from meaning 'any thing' to meaning 'nothing'.
- The expression de rien is the standard response to 'thank you'. Literally translating to 'of nothing', it functions like the English 'it was nothing' or 'don't mention it'.
- The word rien can be used as a noun in the expression un rien, which refers to a tiny amount or a trifle. This changes the meaning from 'zero' to 'a very small something'.
Examples in context
- Rien de neuf !That's nothing new.This sentence is useful for using rien to say nothing is new.Tatoeba #4578505 by sacredceltic, translation #2251172 by CK
- Il n'a rien vu.He saw nothing.This sentence is useful for using rien to say nothing was seen.Tatoeba #1445253 by sacredceltic, translation #2870390 by Amastan
- Je ne dis rien.I said nothing.This sentence is useful for using rien to say nothing is being said.Tatoeba #2031148 by sacredceltic, translation #2030131 by Spamster
- J'ai rien à dire.I have nothing to say.
- Il n'y a rien de nouveau.There is nothing new.
- La chambre était pleine de néant.The room was full of nothingness.
- Je n'ai aucune réaction, c'est le néant.I have no reaction, it's nothingness.
- Je n'ai rien du tout à te dire.I have absolutely nothing to tell you.
- Ce film ne vaut rien du tout.This movie is absolutely worthless.
- J'ai absolument rien de rien à faire ce soir.I absolutely have nothing to do tonight.
- Il ne comprend rien de rien.He doesn't understand a thing.
- Il a absolument rien dit.He absolutely said nothing.
- Tu peux absolument rien y faire.You can absolutely do nothing about it.
- 1902 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Manon are at a café.
- HugoTu veux manger quelque chose ?Do you want to eat something?
- ManonNon, je ne veux rien manger.No, I want nothing to eat.
- HugoTu n'as rien commandé du tout ?You didn't order anything at all?
- ManonNon, je n'ai rien pris.No, I didn't get anything.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “nothing” translations and entries rien, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chose, rien, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
