nichts
nothing
Indefinite pronoun that indicates the absence of everything or the opposite of 'etwas' (something); no thing.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe den ganzen Tag noch nichts gegessen.
I haven’t eaten anything all day.
nichts
nothing
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Meanings
nichts für ungut
no offense
A fixed expression used to apologize for or soften a possibly hurtful remark.
EXAMPLE
Nichts für ungut, aber dieses Hemd steht dir wirklich nicht.
No offense, but that shirt really doesn’t suit you.
vor dem Nichts stehen
to be left with nothing
A fixed expression meaning that someone has lost everything (e.g. money, possessions, prospects).
EXAMPLE
Nach der Insolvenz seiner Firma stand er vor dem Nichts.
After his company went bankrupt, he was left with nothing.
nichts da
no way
A colloquial fixed expression used to firmly reject a request or suggestion.
EXAMPLE
Du willst schon wieder mein Auto leihen? Nichts da!
You want to borrow my car again? No way!
Usage tips
No double negation
In German, there is no double negation. The word 'nichts' (nothing) alone makes the sentence negative. You do not use it together with 'nicht' (not).
EXAMPLE
Ich sehe nichts.
I see nothing.
Always unchanged
Just like 'etwas' (something), 'nichts' (nothing) is an invariable pronoun. It is never declined and always keeps the same form.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe Angst vor nichts.
I am afraid of nothing.
Use with adjectives
An adjective can follow 'nichts' (nothing). It is then capitalized and takes the ending for neuter nouns in the singular (-es).
EXAMPLE
Heute ist nichts Besonderes passiert.
Nothing special happened today.
Emphasis with 'gar'
To emphasize 'nichts' (nothing), the word 'gar' is often placed before it. The combination 'gar nichts' means 'absolutely nothing' or 'nothing at all'.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe heute noch gar nichts getrunken.
I haven’t drunk anything at all today.
Fixed expression
'Nichts für ungut' (no offense) is a fixed expression. You use it to soften a critical or potentially hurtful statement.
EXAMPLE
Nichts für ungut, aber deine neue Frisur gefällt mir nicht so gut.
No offense, but I don’t like your new hairstyle very much.
Colloquial style
The expression 'Nichts da!' (No way!) is a very direct and colloquial way to firmly reject a request or suggestion. It is not rude, but very definite.
EXAMPLE
Kann ich mir 20 Euro leihen? – Nichts da, du hast mir die letzten auch nicht zurückgegeben!
Can I borrow 20 euros? – No way, you didn’t pay back the last money you borrowed from me either!
Compare with
nichts vs kein
no / not any
Nichts and kein both express that something is absent. Nichts stands on its own for an absent thing, whereas kein accompanies an explicitly mentioned noun and is adjusted to match it.
nichts
Im Kühlschrank finde ich nichts zum Frühstück.
I can't find anything for breakfast in the refrigerator.
kein
Im Kühlschrank finde ich kein Brot zum Frühstück.
I can't find any bread for breakfast in the refrigerator.
In real life
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