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nulo

NOO-loh/ˈnulo/

“nulo” means “null and void” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

null and void

Also: invalid, cancelled
A wooden gavel resting on a red cushion with a large red 'X' symbol hovering behind it.

📝 In Action

El contrato fue declarado nulo por el juez.

B1

The contract was declared null and void by the judge.

Hubo muchos votos nulos en las elecciones.

B2

There were many invalid votes in the elections.

El gol fue nulo porque el jugador estaba fuera de juego.

B2

The goal was cancelled because the player was offside.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • válido (valid)
  • vigente (in force / current)

Common Collocations

  • voto nulo – invalid vote
  • nulo de pleno derecho – void by law
  • quedar nulo – to become void

hopeless

Also: useless
AdjectivemB2informal
A person looking confused while holding a paintbrush upside down in front of a messy canvas.

📝 In Action

Soy nulo para el dibujo.

B2

I'm hopeless at drawing.

Mi hermano es nulo en la cocina; no sabe ni freír un huevo.

B2

My brother is useless in the kitchen; he doesn't even know how to fry an egg.

Tiene un interés nulo por la política.

C1

He has zero interest in politics.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • hábil (skilled)
  • fenómeno (whiz/pro)

Common Collocations

  • ser nulo para – to be hopeless at
  • interés nulo – zero interest

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "nulo" in Spanish:

cancelled→hopeless→invalid→useless→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: nulo

Question 1 of 3

If a referee says a goal is 'nulo', what happened?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
anular(to cancel/nullify) — Verb
nulidad(nullity/uselessness) — Noun
anulación(cancellation) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
disimulomulo
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'nullus', which literally means 'not any' or 'none'. It combines 'ne' (not) and 'ullus' (any).

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: nullFrench: nulPortuguese: nulo

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'nulo' the same as 'cero'?

Not exactly. 'Cero' is the number 0. 'Nulo' means something has no legal value or that a person has no skill. You wouldn't say 'Hay nulo personas,' you would say 'Hay cero personas.'

Can I use 'nulo' to mean 'empty'?

No, for 'empty' you should use 'vacío'. 'Nulo' refers to validity or ability, not physical space.

Is 'nulo' rude when describing a person?

It can be strong. If you say 'Es un nulo,' you are calling them a 'nobody' or 'useless.' However, saying 'Soy nulo para cocinar' is just a common, funny way to say you're a bad cook.