nada
/ˈnada/
The English phrase "nothing" is translated into Spanish as nada. Wiktionary also lists naca la piriznaca and naranjas.
Meaning: not any thing (pron)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| nada | /ˈnada/ | |
| naca la piriznaca | /naka la piɾiθnaka/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /naka la piɾisnaka/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
|
| naranjas | /naˈɾanxas/ | |
| ni flores | /ni floɾes/ (from spelling rules) | |
| ni pum | /ni pum/ (from spelling rules) | |
| ni pun | /ni pun/ (from spelling rules) | |
| ninguna cosa | /ninɡuna kosa/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| ni flowers | Spain |
Nada is the standard way to express the concept of not any thing. For extra emphasis to mean "absolutely nothing", you can repeat the word as nada de nada.
Which one should you use?
Nada is the standard and most common way to say nothing. In contrast, ninguna cosa is more literal and emphatic, used to mean "not one single thing".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The expression ni pum is a colloquial way to express that nothing at all happened or was obtained. Similarly, the colloquial expression ni flores is used to emphasize that nothing was achieved or provided.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the phrase ni flowers is used.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using nada to mean "nothing", you must use a double negation by placing no before the verb.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈnada/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking regions, you can use the nonsense phrase naca la piriznaca to mean 'absolutely nothing'. It is a rhythmic, playful way to add color to a refusal or a lack of something.
- The word nada literally translates to 'not a born thing'. It stems from the idea of something that has not been brought into existence.
- While nada is used for 'nothing', the word nadie used for 'nobody' shares the same linguistic root.
Examples in context
- Yo no vi nada.I saw nothing.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use nada in a negative sentence.Tatoeba #497573 by Shishir, translation #256395 by CK
- Él no es nada.He is nothing.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use nada to describe a person.Tatoeba #781319 by Shishir, translation #1388967 by marcelostockle
- O todo o nada.All or nothing.This sentence is useful for seeing the phrase "all or nothing" using nada.Tatoeba #1067413 by Shishir, translation #3344474 by arthurf
- No tengo nada que decir.I have nothing to say.
- No sé ni papa de eso.I don't know anything about that.
- No tengo ni la más mínima idea.I don't have even the slightest idea.
- No tengo ni la más remota idea.I don't have even the remotest idea.
- No tengo ni idea.I don't have any idea.
- 1260 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are looking for their keys at home.
- Alejandro¿Viste mis llaves por aquí?Did you see my keys around here?
- MaríaNo, no veo nada sobre la mesa.No, I don't see anything on the table.
- AlejandroQué extraño, no están en ningún lado.How strange, they are nowhere to be found.
- MaríaBusca en tu chaqueta, Alejandro.Look in your jacket, Alejandro.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “nothing” translations and entries nada, naranjas, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cosa, la, nada, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
