nadie
“nadie” means “nobody” in Spanish.
nobody, no one
Also: anybody, anyone
📝 In Action
No hay nadie en la casa.
A1There is nobody in the house.
Nadie sabe la respuesta.
A2No one knows the answer.
No quiero hablar con nadie.
A2I don't want to talk to anyone.
¿Ves a nadie por ahí?
B1Do you see anybody over there?
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Quick Quiz: nadie
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence is grammatically correct in Spanish?
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👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Old Spanish phrase '(persona) nata', which meant 'born (person)'. In negative sentences like 'no hay persona nata' (there is no person born), it got shortened over time and became 'nadie'.
First recorded: Around the 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why do you say 'No... nadie'? Isn't that a double negative?
Yes, it is! In English, double negatives are usually incorrect, but in Spanish, they are required and perfectly normal. It's a key difference between the two languages. Think of it as reinforcing the negative idea.
What's the difference between 'nadie' and 'nada'?
'Nadie' is for people (nobody, no one). 'Nada' is for things (nothing). For example, 'No vi a nadie' (I saw nobody), but 'No vi nada' (I saw nothing).
When do I use 'a' before 'nadie'?
You use 'a' before 'nadie' when it's the one receiving the action from a verb. For example, 'Llamé a nadie' (I called nobody) or 'Ayudé a nadie' (I helped nobody). You don't use it when 'nadie' is the one doing the action, like in 'Nadie llamó' (Nobody called).