German word

niemand

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈniːmant/

Meaning

  • pronounnobody

Example

Wenn niemand kommt, gehen wir.

If nobody comes, we'll go.

Illustration for niemand (nobody)

More examples

Obwohl niemand da war, hörten wir Geräusche.

Although nobody was there, we heard noises.

Core concept

A room searched from end to end without finding a single person.

Common phrases

  • mit niemandem reden

    talk to nobody

  • auf niemanden warten

    wait for nobody

Similar words

keiner: Not a single person qualifies within a group or range.
nichts: Nothing exists, happens, or is involved.
jemand: A person who is not specifically identified.

Definition in German

Bedeutet, dass keine Person existiert oder etwas tut.

Word origin

The pronoun combines the historical negating element ni with man, and its form changed through German stages including nieman and niemand.

Usage tips

  • The accusative and dative forms are niemanden and niemandem, as in "Ich sehe niemanden" and "Ich helfe niemandem."

Opposites

Word lists with this word