nichts
/nɪx(t)s/
nichts is the German word for nothing.
The word is used as a pronoun to express the absence of any thing.
Meaning: not any thing (pron)
Which one should you use?
While nichts is the pronoun meaning 'nothing', do not confuse it with nicht, which is an adverb meaning 'not'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Berlin and the surrounding areas, speakers may use nüscht instead of nichts.
How does it change in a sentence?
nichts is an indeclinable pronoun, which means it does not change its form to account for gender or case.
How do you pronounce it?
/nɪx(t)s/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be careful not to add an 's' to the adverb nicht (not) when you actually intend to use the pronoun nichts (nothing).
Did you know?
- The word nichts is actually a linguistic double-negative. It evolved from the Middle High German phrase nihtes niht, which literally meant 'nothing of nothing'.
- In German philosophy, the concept of 'The Nothing' (das Nichts) is a central theme in the works of Martin Heidegger, where it is treated as a formal noun with a capital letter.
- While nichts means 'nothing', the phrase Das ist nichts can be used as a comforting reply to an apology or a small injury, effectively meaning 'it is no big deal'.
Examples in context
- Es taugt zu nichts.It is good for nothing.This sentence shows how to use nichts to describe something that is useless.Tatoeba #758583 by Manfredo, translation #24840 by magnificentgoddess
- Da ist nichts dran.There's nothing to it.This sentence uses nichts to indicate that there is no truth to a claim.Tatoeba #1523675 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1523674 by CK
- Da unten ist nichts.There's nothing down there.This sentence uses nichts to describe an empty location.Tatoeba #1771616 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #3286889 by CK
- Ich habe nichts zu sagen.I have nothing to say.
- Es gibt nichts Wichtiges zu diskutieren.There is nothing important to discuss.
- Unser Beitrag hatte null Effekt.Our contribution had no effect.
- Da ist nix zu sehen.There's nothing to see there.
- Ich habe nix gemacht.I didn't do anything.
- 2270 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Laura and Lukas are looking for something in an empty box.
- LauraSiehst du etwas in der Box?Do you see anything in the box?
- LukasNein, ich sehe nichts.No, I see nothing.
- LauraIst dort wirklich nichts?Is there really nothing there?
- LukasJa, die Box ist komplett leer.Yes, the box is completely empty.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “nothing” translations and entries nichts, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries nichts, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
