un tubo
slang, informal
Italian slang for "nothing at all" is un tubo, literally "a pipe", as in Non capisco un tubo. Others are un fico secco and zero.
Meaning: slang for nothing at all (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Italian | Note |
|---|---|
| un tubo | slang, informal |
| Zero | slang |
| Un fico secco | informal, idiom |
These expressions come after a negative verb and make it stronger: Non so un tubo means "I know absolutely nothing".
Which one should you use?
Niente and nulla are the neutral words. Zero is also used on its own, as in Ho fatto zero oggi, "I did nothing today".
How does it change in a sentence?
With un tubo and un fico secco the verb is negative: Non vale un fico secco, "it is worth nothing".
Did you know?
- Un fico secco literally means "a dried fig", something so small that it has almost no value.
Examples in context
- Questo non vale un fico secco.This is worth nothing.
- Oggi ho fatto zero.Today I did nothing.
Example conversation
Anna helps her cousin Pietro with his math homework.
- AnnaHai capito l'esercizio?Did you understand the exercise?
- PietroNo, non capisco un tubo.No, I understand nothing at all.
- AnnaDai, ti spiego io.Come on, I will explain it.
