Using 'Nadie'

Here are some ways in which nadie, an indefinite pronoun that typically means "no one" or "nobody," is used.

• Nadie, when used as the subject of a sentence, is used with a singular verb. Although it has no gender, it is typically used with masculine adjectives unless the context requires otherwise. Nadie lo cree. (Nobody believes it.) Nadie es perfecto. (Nobody is perfect.)
• When nadie follows the verb of a sentence, it typically is used as part of a double negative. Because standard English doesn't use double negatives, nadie is sometimes translated to English as "anybody" or "anyone" in such sentences. No conozco a nadie. (I don't know anybody.) No se culpe a nadie. (Nobody is to blame.) ¡No lo digas a nadie! (Don't tell anyone!)
• When used as part of a question, nadie is used as part of a double negative. ¿No ha estudiado nadie? (Hasn't anybody studied?)
• When used as an object pronoun, nadie requires the personal a. No veo a nadie. (I don't see anyone.)
• The phrase nadie de is followed by a singular noun. If a plural must follow, use ninguno instead. Nadie del equipo salió. (Nobody on the team left.) Ninguno de ellos salió. (None of them left.)
• Like the English "nobody," nadie can be used figuratively as a noun. It frequently is used in the form un don nadie (or, if the context requires, una doña nadie). Cree que es un don nadie. (He believes he's a nobody.)