01
nirgends
nowhere
In no place; at no location.
example
Ich habe meine Brille überall gesucht, aber sie ist nirgends zu finden.
I looked everywhere for my glasses, but they are nowhere to be found.
nirgends
nowhere
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Meanings
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Usage tips
No double negation
'Nirgends' (nowhere) is already a negative word. Therefore, don't use it together with 'nicht' (not) in the same part of the sentence. The word alone expresses the negation.
EXAMPLE
Ich kann meine Schlüssel nirgends finden.
I can't find my keys anywhere.
Sentence position
'Nirgends' (nowhere) can stand in different positions in a sentence. When it is in position 1, the verb follows directly after it. But it can also stand after the verb in the middle of the sentence.
EXAMPLE
Nirgends ist es so schön wie zu Hause.
Nowhere is as beautiful as home.
Abstract use
Besides the spatial meaning ('an keinem Ort' = in no place), 'nirgends' (nowhere) can also be used abstractly. It then means 'in keinem Text' (in no text), 'in keiner Quelle' (in no source), or 'in keiner Hinsicht' (in no respect).
EXAMPLE
Diese Information steht nirgends in den Unterlagen.
This information is nowhere in the documents.
Compare with
nirgends vs nie
never
'nie' and 'nirgends' both express a strong negation. The important difference is: 'nie' refers to time and means 'at no time'. 'nirgends' refers to a place or location and means 'in no place'. Learners may confuse the words because both feel like a total negation. Just ask yourself: Is it about when? Then 'nie' fits. Is it about where? Then 'nirgends' fits.
nirgends
Den Schlüssel finde ich nirgends in der Wohnung.
I can't find the key anywhere in the apartment.
nie
Ich habe diesen Fehler beim Kochen noch nie gemacht.
I have never made this mistake while cooking before.
In real life
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