pronoun
nothing
A1
'nichts' means 'nothing' or 'not anything'. It is an indeclinable indefinite pronoun used to negate existence or quantity (e.g., Ich habe nichts). Contrast with 'nicht' (negates verbs/phrases) and 'kein' (negates nouns). It behaves like a pronoun and typically follows the verb or occupies subject position.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.EXAMPLES
Der Polizist erklärte, dass er nichts hörte, weil die Straße ganz still war.
The policeman explained that he heard nothing because the street was completely quiet.
Ich habe nichts zu sagen.
I have nothing to say.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.DETAILS_LABEL
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.MNEMONICS
Picture an empty box with a big label 'nichts' on it
sounds like English 'nix' which also means nothing
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.NOTES
An indefinite pronoun meaning 'nothing'. Used as a noun substitute.