What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
cero
Example
El marcador muestra cero puntos para el equipo visitante. [cero: noun]
Example
No tengo cero dudas de que él es culpable. [cero: adjective]
nil
Example
The final score was nil-nil, indicating a tie between the two teams. [nil: noun]
Example
She received nil responses to her job application. [nil: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Nil is more commonly used than cero in British English, especially in the context of sports scores. Cero is more commonly used in Spanish-speaking countries. In general, nil is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of contexts, while cero is more specific to numerical values.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between cero and nil?
Cero is considered more formal as it is used in official documents and contexts, while nil is more informal and commonly used in everyday speech, particularly in British English.
