não...nenhum/nenhuma

Not...Any

Level 3

In Portuguese, double negatives are standard. To say 'I don't have any money,' you must use both não and nenhum: Não tenho nenhum dinheiro.

How It Works

The word nenhum (masculine) and nenhuma (feminine) function as indefinite pronouns or determiners.

1. Agreement:
You must match the gender of the noun you are negating:

  • Nenhum + masculine noun (e.g., nenhum livro)
  • Nenhuma + feminine noun (e.g., nenhuma dúvida)

2. Word Order and Negation:

  • After the verb: If nenhum follows the verb, you must use não before the verb (e.g., Não vi nenhum carro).
  • Before the verb: If nenhum starts the sentence or precedes the verb, the word não is dropped (e.g., Nenhum carro passou).

3. Emphasis and 'Algum':
For extra emphasis ('none at all'), you can place nenhum/a after the noun. Alternatively, you can use algum/alguma after the noun in a negative sentence to achieve the same effect (e.g., Não tenho dinheiro algum).

4. Singular vs. Plural:
While the singular is the default, you must use the plural forms nenhuns or nenhumas for nouns that only exist in the plural (pluralia tantum), such as óculos (glasses) or férias (vacation).

5. No Contractions:
Unlike algum (which becomes nalgum), nenhum does not form contractions with prepositions in standard modern Portuguese. You should always write em nenhum or de nenhum.

Examples (6)

  1. Eu não comprei nenhum livro hoje.

    I didn't buy any book today.

    Word by Word: I not bought no book today.

    Here, nenhum follows the verb, so the negative particle 'não' is required.

  2. Nenhum aluno veio à aula.

    No student came to class.

    Word by Word: No student came to-the class.

    When nenhum comes before the verb, the word 'não' is omitted.

  3. Não tenho dúvida nenhuma sobre isso.

    I have no doubt at all about that.

    Word by Word: Not I-have doubt none about that.

    Placing nenhuma after the noun adds extra emphasis, meaning 'none at all'.

  4. Não vi nenhuns óculos em cima da mesa.

    I didn't see any glasses on top of the table.

    Word by Word: Not I-saw no-plural glasses on top of-the table.

    The plural form 'nenhuns' is mandatory for nouns that only exist in the plural, like 'óculos'.

  5. Não encontrei a chave em nenhum lugar.

    I didn't find the key in any place.

    Word by Word: Not I-found the key in no place.

    Note that nenhum does not contract with the preposition 'em'.

  6. Não tenho dúvida alguma.

    I don't have any doubt whatsoever.

    Word by Word: Not I-have doubt any.

    As an alternative to 'nenhuma', you can use 'alguma' after the noun in negative sentences for strong emphasis.

Common Mistakes

  • Dropping the 'não' when 'nenhum' is after the verb.

    Tenho nenhum dinheiro.
    Não tenho nenhum dinheiro.

    In English, you can say 'I have no money,' but in Portuguese, if the negative word follows the verb, the 'não' is mandatory.

  • Using the wrong gender agreement.

    Não tenho nenhum dúvida.
    Não tenho nenhuma dúvida.

    Dúvida is a feminine noun, so you must use the feminine form 'nenhuma'.

Words in This Pattern

nenhumnenhum