không ai — meaning in English: no one

Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for no one

Chúng ta

trong tâm trí

đồng cảm

nắng

không ai

Skip this question

🎓

Learn Vietnamese for free

Quizzes, examples, audio & daily challenges. No password needed — just your email.

Start learning →

Already have an account? Log in

neutral common

Usage

Native speakers often use 'không ai' in casual conversations when discussing situations where no person is present or when expressing feelings of loneliness. For example, someone might say, 'Hôm nay không ai ở nhà' (No one is at home) when returning to an empty house or 'Tôi cảm thấy không ai hiểu tôi' (I feel like no one understands me) when expressing emotions to a friend.

Synonyms & nuances

'Không ai' is closely related to 'không có ai', which also means 'there is no one'. However, 'không ai' is more concise and often used in more direct statements. When you want to emphasize the absence of individuals, 'không ai' is typically the preferred choice due to its brevity and straightforwardness.

Culture

'Không ai' literally translates to 'no one' and is a compound of 'không' meaning 'not' and 'ai' meaning 'anyone'. In Vietnamese culture, where community and relationships are highly valued, expressing sentiments that involve 'no one' can evoke feelings of isolation, emphasizing the importance of togetherness in social settings. The word is frequently encountered in both everyday conversations and literature, illustrating themes of solitude.

FAQ

Q.How do you use 'không ai' in a sentence?

'Không ai' can be used in sentences to indicate the absence of people. For example, you might say, 'Không ai đến bữa tiệc' (No one came to the party) to express disappointment about a lack of attendees.

Q.Can 'không ai' be used in formal writing?

'Không ai' is primarily used in informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, you might opt for a more elaborate phrase like 'không có ai' to maintain a more formal tone.

Q.What are common mistakes when using 'không ai'?

A common mistake is to confuse 'không ai' with 'không có ai'. While both are correct, the latter is more formal and might be more appropriate in written contexts. Always consider your audience when choosing between the two.

Learn vietnamese with Maspeak →

Vietnamese Vocabulary