Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Nobody in Spanish
Nadie · pronoun · NAH-dee-eh
The Spanish word for nobody is 'nadie,' an indefinite pronoun used to refer to no person. A key difference from English is that Spanish allows and often requires double negatives: 'No vino nadie' (Nobody came) uses both 'no' and 'nadie' without being grammatically incorrect — in fact, it's standard.
Pronounced NAH-dee-eh as three syllables with stress on the first. The 'ie' at the end forms a light diphthong.
Nadie contestó cuando toqué la puerta.
Nobody answered when I knocked on the door.
Nobody in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for nobody, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| nadie | nobody | NAH-dee-eh | Default, widely understood |
| ninguno | nobody | none/no one (with reference group) |
How Native Speakers Use Nadie
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Double negative structure
No hay nadie en la oficina hoy.
There's nobody in the office today.
Demonstrates the Spanish double negative (no + nadie) which is grammatically correct and standard.
Starting a sentence
Nadie sabe lo que va a pasar mañana.
Nobody knows what will happen tomorrow.
When 'nadie' starts the sentence, no additional 'no' is needed before the verb.
Emphatic usage
No le importa a nadie lo que yo opine.
Nobody cares what I think.
Shows 'nadie' after the verb in an emphatic emotional statement requiring 'no' before the verb.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Nadie
Avoiding the double negative
Incorrect: Nadie no vino. (if nadie is at start)
Correct: Nadie vino. / No vino nadie.
When 'nadie' comes before the verb, you don't add 'no.' The double negative only applies when 'nadie' follows the verb: 'No vino nadie.'
Using 'nobody' word order in Spanish
Incorrect: No nadie está aquí.
Correct: No hay nadie aquí. / Nadie está aquí.
You cannot place 'no' directly before 'nadie.' Either start with 'nadie' (no 'no' needed) or place 'no' before the verb with 'nadie' after.
Lock in Nobody Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
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See Nadie used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using nadie in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Nadie contestó cuando toqué la puerta. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
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Common Questions About Nobody in Spanish
- Why does Spanish use double negatives with 'nadie'?
- Spanish grammar treats double negatives as intensifying rather than canceling — when 'nadie' appears after the verb, a preceding 'no' is required by the grammar rules, so 'no vino nadie' means 'nobody came' rather than 'it's not that nobody came.'
- What's the difference between 'nadie' and 'ninguno'?
- The pronoun 'nadie' means 'nobody' as an indefinite without reference to a specific group, while 'ninguno' means 'none' or 'not one' and implies a defined set — for example, 'ninguno de mis amigos' (none of my friends) vs. 'nadie' (nobody at all).
- Can 'nadie' be used as a noun meaning 'a nobody'?
- In informal Spanish, 'un nadie' or 'un don nadie' functions as a noun meaning 'a nobody' or 'an insignificant person,' similar to how English uses 'he's a nobody' — the full expression 'don nadie' is particularly common and emphatic.