nic
/ˈɲit͡s/
The English phrase "nothing" is translated into Polish as nic.
nic is used to mean not any thing. It can also function as a noun to refer to a nobody or a person of no consequence, or to describe something trifling and of no importance. In formal contexts, you might encounter the phrase Nic nie jest istotne, which means "nothing is relevant" or "nothing is important".
Meaning: not any thing (pron)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
In Polish, using nic in a sentence with a verb requires a double negative. You must include the particle nie with the verb. Additionally, the form of the word changes depending on its grammatical role. While the default is nic, it changes to niczego when it serves as the object of a verb in the genitive case, such as in the sentence Nie mam niczego (I have nothing).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈɲits/
What mistakes should you avoid?
When using nic, English speakers often forget to include the second nie (not) in the verb. To be grammatically correct, you must use the structure nic nie [verb].
Did you know?
- The Polish word nic evolved from the Proto-Slavic word ničьto.
- The phrase nic dwa razy się nie zdarza is a famous line from a poem by Wisława Szymborska, meaning 'nothing happens twice'.
- In casual Polish, if someone asks Co tam? ('What's up?'), a common reply is nic, which functions more like 'not much' than 'nothing'.
Examples in context
- Nic tu nie ma.There's nothing here.This sentence shows how to use nic to indicate the absence of something in a location.Tatoeba #3427174 by konrad509, translation #2252669 by CK
- On nic nie wie.He knows nothing.This sentence demonstrates the use of nic with a verb to express a lack of knowledge.Tatoeba #3064093 by jeedrek, translation #2872181 by Amastan
- Tutaj nic nie ma.There is nothing here.This sentence is another way to state that nothing exists in a specific place using nic.Tatoeba #1583663 by fanty, translation #1588785 by CM
- Na ten temat nic nie mam do powiedzenia.I have nothing to say on this matter.
- To, co powiedział, jest dla naszego projektu całkowicie nieistotne. Nic nie jest istotne.What he said is entirely irrelevant to our project. Nothing is relevant.
- Dzisiaj zaoferuję ci pomoc w ogrodzie. – Nie ma sprawy! Nie mam nic innego do roboty.Today, I'll offer you help in the garden. – No problem! I have nothing else to do.
- Zakupy na liście? Zero, zapomniałem zrobić zakupy.Shopping on the list? Nothing, I forgot to go shopping.
- Nic mi nie przychodzi do głowy.Nothing comes to my mind.
- Niestety, nic mi do głowy nie przychodzi.Unfortunately, nothing comes to my mind.
- 262 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Piotr and Anna are talking about a missing item.
- PiotrWidziałaś moje klucze?Have you seen my keys?
- AnnaNie, nie widzę nic na stole.No, I don't see anything on the table.
- PiotrTo dziwne, nic nie zginęło wcześniej.That's strange, nothing went missing before.
- AnnaMoże leżą w twojej kurtce.Maybe they are in your jacket.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “nothing” translations and entries nic, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries nic, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
