Translation guide
The English word 'nothing' can be expressed in Japanese through various words and patterns depending on whether it means 'not anything', 'zero', 'nonexistence', or is used in phrases like 'nothing but'. This guide covers the most common and natural ways to convey these meanings.
Expressing that there is no thing, or that something does not exist at all.
Used with a negative verb to mean 'nothing' or 'not anything'. This is the most common and natural way to say 'nothing' in Japanese.
There is nothing in the fridge.
彼は何も言わなかった。
He said nothing.
Emphasizes 'not a single thing'. Stronger than 何も, often used for emphasis.
何一つ問題はない。
There is nothing wrong at all.
Literary or philosophical term for 'nothingness' or 'void'. Not used in everyday conversation.
無から有は生じない。
Nothing comes from nothing.
Indicating the number zero or the absence of quantity.
Loanword for 'zero'. Commonly used in scores, counts, and casual contexts.
可能性はゼロだ。
There is zero chance.
Native Japanese word for 'zero'. More formal or technical than ゼロ.
気温が零度になった。
The temperature dropped to zero degrees.
Expressing that something is exclusively the case, often with a nuance of 'merely' or 'just'.
Attached to a noun or verb to mean 'nothing but' or 'only'. Implies a limited or insufficient amount.
Means 'only' or 'just'. Less emphatic than しかない, and can be used in positive sentences.
これだけが真実だ。
This is nothing but the truth.
Formal expression meaning 'nothing more than'. Often used in writing or formal speech.
それは噂に過ぎない。
That is nothing but a rumor.
Downplaying something as unimportant or not worth mentioning.
Expressing that an action yields no result or is wasted.
Means 'to come to nothing' or 'to be wasted'. Commonly used for efforts that are in vain.
努力が無駄になった。
My efforts came to nothing.
Formal expression meaning 'to end in vain'. Used in writing or formal contexts.
彼の試みは徒労に終わった。
His attempt came to nothing.
Answering a question with 'nothing' to indicate no issues or no content.
When someone asks what's wrong, 何でもない means 'it's nothing' or 'never mind'.
A: どうしたの？ B: 何でもない。
A: What's wrong? B: Nothing.
Casual way to say 'nah, nothing' when deflecting a question.
A: 何かあった？ B: いや、別に。
A: Did something happen? B: Nah, nothing.
In English, 'nothing' can stand alone as a subject or object. In Japanese, you usually need to use 何も with a negative verb. Saying just 無 or ゼロ in place of 'nothing' often sounds unnatural.
何も見えない。
I see nothing.
Both mean 'nothing', but 何一つ adds emphasis and is often used in negative sentences to stress that not even one thing exists. 何も is neutral and more common.