What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
nada
Example
I searched the entire house, but found nada. [nada: noun]
Example
He knows nada about cars, so don't ask him for advice. [nada: pronoun]
zilch
Example
I studied all night, but I still got zilch on the test. [zilch: noun]
Example
The company promised a bonus, but we got zilch. [zilch: pronoun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Zilch is more commonly used than nada in American English, but both words are informal and not commonly used in formal writing or speech.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between nada and zilch?
Neither nada nor zilch are formal words, and both are considered slang or informal language. They should be avoided in formal writing or speech.
