Translation guide
The English phrase 'no one' refers to the absence of people. In Japanese, this is most commonly expressed with the word 誰も (だれも) used in negative sentences. Unlike English, Japanese does not use a separate word for 'no one'; instead, it combines 'who' with a negative verb. The expression can vary depending on formality and context.
Expressing that there is not a single person, or that nobody does something.
This is the standard way to say 'no one' in Japanese. 誰も means 'anyone' or 'everyone' in negative contexts, and must be paired with a negative verb form. It works for both 'nobody is' and 'nobody does'.
A more emphatic version meaning 'not a single person'. 誰一人 is often used with いない or negative verbs for stronger emphasis.
誰一人として来なかった。
Not a single person came.
A formal noun meaning 'none' or 'nil', often used in written or official contexts to indicate zero people or things. Not used in casual speech.
Common expressions where 'no one' is the subject of a particular action or state.
Used to say 'there is no one' or 'no one is here/there'. いない is the negative of いる (to exist for animate things).
公園には誰もいなかった。
There was no one in the park.
Means 'no one knows'. Often used in phrases like 誰も知らない秘密 (a secret no one knows).
その話は誰も知らない。
No one knows that story.
When 'no one' is the object of a verb, e.g., 'I saw no one'.
Expressing 'no one else' or 'nobody except'.
他に means 'other' or 'else'. Combined with 誰も...ない, it means 'no one else'.
他に誰も来なかった。
No one else came.
Used with a specific person to mean 'no one but...'. しか is a particle meaning 'only' in negative sentences.
彼しか知らない。
No one but him knows.
誰も means 'everyone' in positive sentences. To say 'no one', you must use a negative verb. For example, 誰も来た means 'Everyone came', not 'No one came'.
誰も with negative means 'no one', while 誰か means 'someone'. Do not confuse them. 誰かいませんか means 'Is anyone there?', not 'Is no one there?'.
There wasn't a single person in the room.
参加者は皆無だった。
There were no participants at all.