هیچ
hič/ˈheːt͡ʃ/
The Persian word for nothing is هیچ (hič). Wiktionary also lists هیچچیز (hič-čiz).
Meaning: not any thing (pron)
Ways to say it
| Persian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| هیچ | hič | /ˈheːt͡ʃ/ (Classical Persian) |
| هیچچیز | hič-čiz |
The phrase is used to express the absence of any thing.
Which one should you use?
The pronoun هیچچیز can stand alone to mean 'nothing' without needing a following noun.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using هیچ as an adjective (e.g., 'no thing'), the noun it modifies must be in the singular form. Persian uses double negatives. If you use هیچ or هیچچیز, the verb in the sentence must also be in the negative form.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is hič and the IPA is /ˈheːtʃ/.
Did you know?
- In Persian poetry, specifically in Sufi mysticism, the word هیچ represents a profound spiritual state of 'nothingness' or the annihilation of the ego.
- The concept of هیچ in Persian art and calligraphy is sometimes visualized as a circle or a void to represent the spiritual annihilation of the self.
- The word هیچ derives from the Middle Persian word ēč, meaning 'not any'.
Examples in context
- هیچ چیز مانند گرمابه نیست.There's nothing like a good hot bath.This sentence illustrates the use of هیچ to mean 'nothing'.Tatoeba #9934726 by cojiluc, translation #25476 by CK
- هیچ چیز بر عشق برتری ندارد.Nothing surpasses love.This sentence shows how هیچ can be used to express that nothing surpasses something.Tatoeba #12785358 by manelie, translation #12675365 by anzart
- اینجا هیچ چیزی برای من نیست.There's nothing for me here.This sentence provides an example of how هیچ functions in a sentence.Tatoeba #4294109 by deadmarshal, translation #4292848 by marllboro06
- من این کار را انجام دادم، اما بی فایده بود.I did this work, but it was pointless.
- او هرگز به من کمک نکرد. هیچ‌گاه برایم کاری نکرد.He never helped me. He did nothing for me.
- 30 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Reza and Zahra are talking about their plans for the evening.
- رضا Rezaمی‌خواهی امشب کاری کنی؟mikhāhi emshab kāri koni?Do you want to do something tonight?
- زهرا Zahraنه، هیچ نمی‌خواهم.na, hīch nemikhāham.No, I want nothing.
- رضا Rezaپس بیا بیرون برویم.pas biyā bīrūn berovīm.Then let's go out.
- زهرا Zahraباشه، رضا، موافقم.bāshe, Reza, movāfegham.Okay, Reza, I agree.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “nothing” translations and entries هیچ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries هیچ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
