Ninguém, Nada, Nunca: Use Negative Words in Portuguese — Practice

Use ninguém for no person and nada for no thing

Ninguém means ‘nobody’ or ‘no one’; nada means ‘nothing.’ When either word follows the verb, Brazilian Portuguese commonly uses não before the verb as well: não conheço ninguém (I don’t know anyone), não comprei nada (I didn’t buy anything). This pattern is called negative concord; the two negative forms reinforce one negative meaning rather than canceling each other.

If the negative word comes before the verb, não is usually unnecessary: ninguém respondeu (nobody answered), nada aconteceu (nothing happened). The word’s position helps determine whether não appears.

Use nunca for ‘never’ or ‘not ever’

Nunca means ‘never.’ Before the verb, it can stand alone: nunca viajei de navio (I’ve never traveled by ship). After the verb, use não before the verb in a neutral sentence: não viajei nunca de navio also means that you have never done so, with a different emphasis or rhythm.

Translate the meaning of the whole sentence, not the number of negative-looking words. English usually avoids this kind of negative agreement, while it is a normal and useful pattern in Portuguese.

Remember: Use ninguém, nada, and nunca for people, things, and time. A negative word after the verb commonly pairs with não; before the verb, it can express the negative by itself.

Check your understanding

Choose the English meaning of each Portuguese example. Answer before looking back at the tables. These questions check the written examples in this guide; they are not a listening or proficiency test.

Recall the Portuguese, then say it

Read the English prompt and say a Portuguese version before opening the answer. The answer shows the example from the lesson; other natural translations may also work. Compare the meaning and the situation rather than counting a different word as automatically wrong.

1. I didn’t find anyone at the office.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Não encontrei ninguém no escritório.

2. She didn’t order anything to drink.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Ela não pediu nada para beber.

3. Nobody knows the answer yet.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Ninguém sabe a resposta ainda.

4. I’ve never lived outside Brazil.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Nunca morei fora do Brasil.

5. I didn’t hear anything during the announcement.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Eu não ouvi nada durante o anúncio.

6. I don’t know anyone on this street.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Não conheço ninguém nesta rua.

Make the phrase useful to you

Choose one example you could actually use. Say it once from memory, then change one detail that fits your life, such as the person, place, time, or object. Check whether your change also needs a different verb form, article, or adjective ending. If it does, compare it with the pattern in the explanation.

Use ninguém, nada, and nunca for people, things, and time. A negative word after the verb commonly pairs with não; before the verb, it can express the negative by itself.

Return to two prompts tomorrow without opening the answers first. If a phrase still feels difficult, shorten it to a useful chunk and build the complete sentence again.

Sources and your next lesson

This I Speak Portuguese practice guide builds on our Ninguém, Nada, Nunca: Use Negative Words in Portuguese lesson on Real Life Portuguese, with written recall tasks and additional speaking practice. The explanations and examples are teaching material; the practice questions are exercises, not a transcript of a recording.

To add Brazilian audio to your routine, choose a lesson in the Real Life Portuguese app. The app offers its own lessons and practice; this page does not imply that every example here has an app recording.