nessun

Nessun is an Italian word used as a negative determiner and adjective meaning "no" or "none." It is placed before masculine singular nouns to negate them, as in nessun problema (no problem) or nessun uomo (no man). The form agrees with the noun in gender and number, and it is the masculine counterpart of nessuna, which is used with feminine singular nouns (e.g., nessuna idea, nessuna possibilità). In addition to its determiner use, nessuno can function as a pronoun meaning "no one" or "none," as in Non c'è nessuno qui (There is nobody here) or Nessuno dei due (Neither of the two). Nessun, nessuna, and nessuno are part of standard Italian negation and are commonly found in both spoken and written language.

Grammatical notes and usage patterns accompany its everyday use. Nessun is typically used with nouns in the singular form; for plural negation, Italian often uses other constructions such as non molti or non nessuno depending on context. The combination non + nessun is also possible, though it can sound redundant in casual speech. In fixed expressions and literary or musical contexts, nessun can appear in various emphatic phrases to intensify negation or to create a particular cadence.

Nessun dorma is a famous example outside ordinary negation. It is the title of the aria from Giacomo Puccini’s opera Turandot, written in the early 20th century. The aria has become one of the best-known pieces of Italian opera and is frequently performed and referenced in popular culture, often associated with themes of perseverance and triumph.

Overall, nessun serves as a core negative determiner in Italian, with complementing forms nessuna and nessuno that cover gendered and pronominal uses.