κανείς
Wordform Details
Translation: nobodyno oneanyone
Part of Speech: pronoun
Inflection Type:
masculinenominativeIs Dictionary Form: No
Dictionary Form Details
Lemma: κανείς
Translation: nobody; no one; anyone (pronoun)
Etymology: From Ancient Greek κἄν ('even if') + εἷς ('one')
Mnemonics
- Think of 'can + is' = 'κανείς' to remember it means 'anyone'
Example Wordforms
Cultural Context
Frequently used in everyday speech, often with the particle 'δεν' to form negative statements
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While κανείς means 'nobody/anybody', καθένας means 'everyone/each one'
Confused word:
Καθένας πήρε ένα δώρο.
Everyone got a gift.
Notes: κανείς is typically used in negative contexts or questions, while καθένας is used in positive statements
Mnemonic: κανείς has 'ν' for 'no/none', καθένας has 'θ' for 'the whole'