Signification
Stating a place is empty.
Contexte culturel
The 'Passeggiata' culture means that if you say 'Non c'è nessuno' at 6 PM on a main street, it's a sign of a very bad day or bad weather. During the 'Controra' (the hottest hours of the afternoon), it is culturally expected that 'non c'è nessuno' in the streets. Directors like Michelangelo Antonioni used the visual of 'non c'è nessuno' to represent modern alienation. Italians often use the hashtag #noncenessuno when posting photos of famous tourist spots (like the Colosseum) without crowds.
The Question Trick
If you are entering a room and want to be polite, drop the 'Non' and say 'C'è nessuno?' with a rising intonation. It sounds much friendlier.
Singular Only!
Never say 'Non ci sono nessuni'. Even if you are talking about a group, 'nessuno' is always singular.
Signification
Stating a place is empty.
The Question Trick
If you are entering a room and want to be polite, drop the 'Non' and say 'C'è nessuno?' with a rising intonation. It sounds much friendlier.
Singular Only!
Never say 'Non ci sono nessuni'. Even if you are talking about a group, 'nessuno' is always singular.
Add 'più'
Add 'più' to say 'There is no one left'. Example: 'Non c'è più nessuno' (Everyone has left).
Teste-toi
Complete the sentence to say 'There is no one in the kitchen'.
In cucina ______ nessuno.
We need 'non' for negation and the singular 'c'è' for 'nessuno'.
Which sentence is correct for 'There was no one at the party'?
Choose the correct past tense:
'C'era' is the imperfect past tense of 'c'è'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You enter a store and want to see if a clerk is there.
The question form is used to politely call out for someone.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Sei andato in banca? B: Sì, ma era chiusa e ______.
The context is in the past ('era chiusa'), so we use 'non c'era nessuno'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesIn cucina ______ nessuno.
We need 'non' for negation and the singular 'c'è' for 'nessuno'.
Choose the correct past tense:
'C'era' is the imperfect past tense of 'c'è'.
You enter a store and want to see if a clerk is there.
The question form is used to politely call out for someone.
A: Sei andato in banca? B: Sì, ma era chiusa e ______.
The context is in the past ('era chiusa'), so we use 'non c'era nessuno'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
5 questionsOnly as a short answer to a question like 'Who is there?'. Otherwise, you need the full sentence.
No, it's a neutral statement of fact. However, saying it while looking at someone is very rude!
It's a contraction of 'ci' (there). It's required to say 'there is'.
Usually no, you'd say 'Non c'è il cane'. But if you consider your dog a person, you might jokingly say 'Non c'è nessuno'.
'Nessuno' is the standard. 'Nessuna' is only used if you are specifically referring to a group of women (e.g., 'Non c'è nessuna delle mie amiche').
Expressions liées
Non c'è niente
similarThere is nothing
Non c'è anima viva
specialized formThere isn't a living soul
C'è qualcuno?
contrastIs someone there?
Non c'è un cane
synonymThere isn't a dog (idiom for 'no one')
