ಏನೂ ಇಲ್ಲ
ēnū illa
The English word 'nothing' is translated to Kannada as ಏನೂ ಇಲ್ಲ (ēnū illa).
ಏನೂ ಇಲ್ಲ is used to say that there is not any thing. Other phrases are used for specific contexts of 'nothing': ಯಾವುದೇ ಲಾಭ ಇಲ್ಲ conveys a lack of benefit or advantage, and ಏನೂ ಮಾಡಲಿಲ್ಲ expresses nothing in terms of inaction or not doing anything.
Meaning: not any thing (pron)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of ಏನೂ (ēnū), meaning 'anything' in a negative context and ಇಲ್ಲ (illa), meaning 'is not' or 'does not exist'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word ಇಲ್ಲ (illa) is the negative existential verb used to indicate the absence of something. The form ಏನೂ (ēnū) is the indefinite pronoun ಏನಾದರೂ (ēnādaru – anything) with the emphatic suffix '-ಉ' (-ū) added. This is standard when used with a negative verb to mean 'nothing'.
How do you pronounce it?
ēnū illa
Did you know?
- The concept of 'nothingness' or 'the void' in Kannada philosophical texts is often referred to as ಶೂನ್ಯ (shūnya), which also means the number 'zero'.
- In Kannada, the word ಇಲ್ಲ (illa) is used not just for 'nothing' but also as a polite way to say 'no' when refusing an offer.
- In casual conversation, ಇಲ್ಲ (illa) is frequently stretched into ಇಲ್ಲಾ (illā) with a rising intonation to turn 'nothing' into a question of disbelief.
Examples in context
- ಬಾದಲಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಏನೂ ಇಲ್ಲ.There's nothing in the bucket.Tatoeba #4784797 by legalghost, translation #3286976 by CK
- ನನಗೆ ಏನೂ ಅರ್ಥವಾಗಲಿಲ್ಲI didn't understand anything.
- ನಮ್ಮ ಪ್ರಯಾಣಕ್ಕೆ ಯಾವುದೇ ಲಾಭ ಇಲ್ಲThere's no benefit in our journey.
- ಅವರು ಯಾವುದನ್ನೂ ಮಾಡಲಿಲ್ಲThey didn't do anything.
- ಕೇಳಿದ್ದೇನು? ಏನೂ ಅಲ್ಲWhat did you ask? Nothing.
- ನನ್ನ ಬ್ಯಾಗ್‌ನಲ್ಲಿ ಏನೂ ಇಲ್ಲ.nanna byāg-nalli ēnu illa.There is nothing in my bag.
- ಈಗ ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಏನೂ ಇಲ್ಲ.īga alli ēnu illa.There is nothing there right now.
Example conversation
Kavya and Pranav are looking for something in a box.
- ಕಾವ್ಯ Kavyaಈ ಪೆಟ್ಟಿಗೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಏನೂ ಇದೆಯೇ?ī peṭṭigeyalli ēnu ideyē?Is there anything in this box?
- ಪ್ರಣವ್ Pranavಇಲ್ಲ, ಏನೂ ಇಲ್ಲ.illa, ēnu illa.No, there is nothing.
- ಕಾವ್ಯ Kavyaನಿನ್ನ ಕೈಯಲ್ಲಿ ಏನೂ ಇಲ್ಲವೇ?ninna kaiyalli ēnu illavē?Is there nothing in your hands?
- ಪ್ರಣವ್ Pranavಹೌದು, ಏನೂ ಇಲ್ಲ.haudu, ēnu illa.Yes, there is nothing.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “nothing” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
