Ninguém, Nada, Nunca: Use Negative Words in Portuguese
Portuguese commonly uses não before the verb plus a negative word after it: não vi ninguém means ‘I didn’t see anyone.’
Real Life Portuguese · 5 min read · Updated October 14, 2026
The short answer
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.
Use ninguém for no person and nada for no thing
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.
Não encontrei ninguém no escritório.
I didn’t find anyone at the office.
Ela não pediu nada para beber.
She didn’t order anything to drink.
Ninguém sabe a resposta ainda.
Nobody knows the answer yet.
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.
Nunca morei fora do Brasil.
I’ve never lived outside Brazil.
Eu não ouvi nada durante o anúncio.
I didn’t hear anything during the announcement.
Não conheço ninguém nesta rua.
I don’t know anyone on this street.
Put it into practice
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.
Quick practice
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