nihil
From nihilum, from ne- (“not”) + hīlum (“the least bit”).
Pronunciation
- (Classical Latin) IPA(key): /ˈni.hil/, [ˈni(ɦ)ɪɫ̪]
- (modern Italianate Ecclesiastical) IPA(key): /ˈni.kil/, [ˈniːkil]
Pronoun
nihil n sg (indeclinable, no genitive)
- (indefinite) nothing [ quotations ▼]
- Nīl·ne in mentem·st? ― Cannot you think of anything?
- Nihil est. ― It's nothing/It doesn't matter.
- Nihil sub sōle novum. ― Nothing new under the sun (proverb).
Usage notes
- This pronoun can be used with a neuter nominative/accusative singular adjective (e.g. nihil bonum), or with the genitive singular of a second-declension neuter adjective (e.g. nihil bonī), but it is not used with the genitive singular of third-declension adjectives.
- In Latin, negation is expressed by a single negative word per clause (i.e., Latin does not have negative concord). If another negative word is present, such as nec (“nor, and not”) or numquam (“never”), the negative polarity pronoun quidquam/quicquam (“anything”) is used instead of nihil (“nothing”)unless the pronoun represents a second, logically distinct negation.
Declension
Not declined; used only in the nominative and accusative singular, singular only.
| Case | Singular |
|---|---|
| Nominative | nihil |
| Genitive | — |
| Dative | — |
| Accusative | nihil |
| Ablative | — |
| Vocative | — |