τίποτα
típota/ˈti.po.ta/
The Greek word for 'nothing' is τίποτα (típota).
τίποτα is used to express the concept of 'not any thing'.
Meaning: not any thing (pron)
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables and the stress is on the first syllable. It is romanized as típota.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often forget to include the negative particle δεν (not) before the verb when using τίποτα. In Greek, you must use both the negative particle and τίποτα to express a negative statement.
Did you know?
- The word τίποτα actually traces its roots back to a question meaning 'what maybe?'
- While τίποτα is the standard word for 'nothing', Greeks may use the word μηδέν when referring to the mathematical number zero.
- In certain colloquial Greek expressions, τίποτα can function as an interjection to express 'it's nothing' or 'no big deal' during a conversation.
Examples in context
- Δε μας λείπει τίποτα.We lack nothing.Tatoeba #5548279 by Zeus, translation #248471 by CK
- Δεν έχω τίποτα να πω.I have nothing to say.Tatoeba #5609531 by Zeus, translation #249876 by CK
- Ο Τομ δε βρήκε τίποτα.Tom found nothing.Tatoeba #5585566 by Zeus, translation #2236293 by CK
- Γιατί ανησυχείς. Δεν έχεις τίποτε να φοβηθείς.Why worry? You have nothing to be afraid of.
- 51 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kostas and Anastasia are looking for his lost keys in the living room.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΒρήκες τα κλειδιά σου;Vrikes ta kleidia sou;Did you find your keys?
- Κώστας KostasΌχι, δεν βρήκα τίποτα εδώ.Ochi, den vrika tipota edo.No, I found nothing here.
- Αναστασία AnastasiaΔεν έχω ιδέα πού είναι.Den eho idea pou einai.I have no idea where they are.
- Κώστας KostasΘα τα βρω αργότερα.Tha ta vro argotera.I will find them later.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “nothing” translations and entries τίποτα, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries τίποτα, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
