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nulla
/ˈnul.la/
nothing
Non ho visto nulla di strano.
I didn’t see anything strange.
formal
The absence of anything; nothing at all.
Non c'è nulla da fare qui.
There’s nothing to do here.
Often used in philosophical or abstract contexts to emphasize emptiness or lack.
formal
Not anything; zero amount.
Ho bevuto nulla tutta la sera.
I drank nothing all evening.
Common in negative constructions with 'non'.
literary
The void; nothingness (philosophical/literary).
Il nulla avvolge ogni cosa.
Nothingness envelops everything.
Used in existential or poetic contexts.
Collocations
non c'è nulla da farethere’s nothing to be donedi nullayou’re welcome (lit. 'of nothing')nulla di cheit’s nothing (response to 'grazie')
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Formal vs. Informal
Use 'niente' in casual speech (e.g., 'Non ho visto niente'). Reserve 'nulla' for formal writing or abstract contexts.
Gold Rule
Negative Constructions
In negative sentences, 'nulla' often follows the verb (e.g., 'Non ho visto nulla').
Word Origin
From Latin 'nullus' (not any, none), via Vulgar Latin 'nulla'. Related to 'null' in English.
Usage Notes
In Italian, 'nulla' is more formal than 'niente' but often interchangeable in everyday speech. 'Nulla' is preferred in written language or philosophical contexts.
Word Breakdown
null-
not, none
root-a
feminine singular ending
suffixDizionario Italiano-Inglese