nolla
/ˈnolːɑ/
The English phrase zero is nolla in Finnish.
nolla is used as the cardinal number before 1 to denote nothing or the digit zero. When you want to express the concept of having virtually none in an informal context, you can use the phrase ei mitään.
Meaning: cardinal number before 1, denoting nothing (num)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word nolla changes its form depending on its role in a sentence. The genitive form nollan is used to show possession or a relationship, such as in the phrase nollan kertoma (zero factorial). To indicate movement toward zero or a change into the state of zero, use the illative case form nollaan, as seen in the phrase alle nollaan (below zero).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈnolːɑ/
Did you know?
- The word nolla can be used colloquially to describe a person who is considered a failure or a 'nobody'.
- The Finnish word nolla is borrowed from Swedish, which took it from the Italian 'nulla' and the Latin 'nūlla'.
- Because of its Latin and Swedish origins, the word nolla sounds much more similar to other European languages than the rest of the Finnish number system.
Examples in context
- Kuinka paljon on nollan kertoma?What's the value of zero factorial (0!)?This sentence is useful for seeing the genitive form nolla in a mathematical context.Tatoeba #8213221 by Thanuir, translation #8032841 by deniko
- Lämpötila laski alle nollaan viime yönä.The temperature fell below zero last night.This sentence shows how to use the illative form nolla to describe temperature.Tatoeba #3787897 by Silja, translation #244752 by CK
- Tässä koulussa on nollatoleranssilinjaus.This school has a zero tolerance policy.This sentence demonstrates how nolla is used in the compound word for zero tolerance.Tatoeba #4225921 by Silja, translation #3222447 by Hybrid
- Tulos oli nolla.The result was zero.
- 27 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Mikko are checking the score of a game.
- EmmaMikä on peliin tulos?What is the score of the game?
- MikkoSe on nolla nolla.It is zero zero.
- EmmaKumpikaumpi ei ole tehnyt maalia.Neither side has scored a goal.
- MikkoKyllä, tilanne on vielä nolla.Yes, the situation is still zero.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “zero” translations and entries nolla, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries nolla, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
