non dire niente
/non ˈdiːre njenˈte/To refrain from speaking or revealing information.
Ha visto tutto, ma non ha detto niente.
He saw everything but didn’t say anything.
Non dire niente a nessuno di questo.
Don’t tell anyone about this.
Often used to emphasize secrecy or discretion. The phrase is literal but functions as a fixed expression in context.
Collocations
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related Phrases
💡Pro Tip
Contextual Meaning
In Italian, 'non dire niente' is often used to emphasize secrecy or discretion. It’s not an idiom but a literal phrase that functions as a fixed expression in context.
⚡Gold Rule
Literal vs. Figurative
This phrase is literal but may be misinterpreted by learners as idiomatic. It simply means 'to say nothing' or 'to keep quiet.'
📖Word Origin
The phrase combines the negation 'non' (not) with the verb 'dire' (to say) and the pronoun 'niente' (nothing). It emerged as a natural construction in Italian to express the act of withholding speech or information.
📝Usage Notes
Common in everyday conversation to instruct secrecy or discretion. The phrase is straightforward but may be confused with idiomatic expressions in other languages.