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.
No one is here.
No one knows.
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'.
There is no one.
No one came.
No one knows that.
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.
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).
When 'no one' is the object of a verb, e.g., 'I saw no one'.
The same pattern works for objects. Place 誰も before the verb in negative form.
Expressing 'no one else' or 'nobody except'.
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'.
No one came.
Not a single person came.
There wasn't a single person in the room.
参加者は皆無だった。
There were no participants at all.
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).
No one knows that story.
I saw no one.
He trusts no one.
No one else came.
Used with a specific person to mean 'no one but...'. しか is a particle meaning 'only' in negative sentences.
No one but him knows.
Everyone 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 is no one.
Is someone there?