nihil
[ˈni.(ɦ)ɪɫ]neuter
The English phrase "nothing" is translated into Latin as nihil. Wiktionary also lists nihilum.
Meaning: not any thing (pron)
Ways to say it
| Latin | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| nihil | [ˈni.(ɦ)ɪɫ] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈniː.kil] (narrow) |
neuter |
| nihilum | [ˈni.(ɦ)ɪ.ɫũː] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈniː.ki.lum] (narrow) |
neuter |
The word is used to express the concept of not any thing.
Which one should you use?
The form nihilum is a variant neuter nominative/accusative singular, often used in later or more philosophical Latin.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form nihil is the neuter accusative and nominative singular of the noun.
Did you know?
- The word nihil comes from ne, meaning 'not', and hīlum, which meant 'a trifle. To the Romans, 'nothing' literally meant 'not even a tiny scrap'.
- The Latin phrase nihil obstat means 'nothing stands in the way'. The Catholic Church still uses it to declare that a book is free of doctrinal error.
- The English word 'nihilism', the belief that life is meaningless, is derived directly from nihil.
Examples in context
- Nihil sub sōle novum.Nothing new under the sun (proverb).This sentence shows the use of nihil in a well-known proverb.
- Nihil a te posco.I ask you for nothing.This sentence demonstrates how to use nihil to express asking for nothing.Tatoeba #764551 by rado, translation #812589 by Zaphod
- Nihil de eo scio.I know nothing about him.This sentence shows how to use nihil to express a lack of knowledge about someone.Tatoeba #8932872 by alexmarcelo, translation #285310 by CK
- Nihil mihi nocet.Nothing harms me.
- 250 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Aurelia and Marcus are discussing a secret letter.
- AureliaQuid in epistulā scrīpsit?What did he write in the letter?
- MarcusNihil ūtile scrīpsit.He wrote nothing useful.
- AureliaTū nihil intellegis!You understand nothing!
- MarcusIta, vērum est, Aurelia.That is true, Aurelia.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “nothing” translations and entries nihil, nihilum, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries nihil, nihilum, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0, Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
