il n'a rien

he has nothing

→ il
phrase Common #7,649
he has nothing With another verb, “rien” can mean “nothing” or “anything” in a negative sentence, as in “Il n'a rien remarqué” (“He didn't notice anything”).
FR: Il n'a rien dans son sac.
EN: He has nothing in his bag.

Il n'a rien compris aux raisons de sa colère.

He didn’t understand anything about the reasons for her anger.

Il n'a rien voulu me dire de plus, mais c'était ton accident Rita.

He wouldn't tell me anything else, but it was your accident, Rita.

— Mulholland Drive (2001)

Il n'a rien soupçonné.

He didn't suspect a thing.

M. Blanc était là quand Martha est morte et il n'a rien remarqué de suspect.

Mr. Blanc was there when Martha died, and he didn’t notice anything suspicious.

— Wake Up Dead Man : Une histoire à couteaux tirés (2025)

Le médecin l'a examiné, il n'a rien trouvé.

The doctor examined him, but found nothing.

— Caché (2005)

Il n'a rien remarqué.

He didn't notice anything.

Il n'a rien compris.

He didn't understand anything.

— La Nuit américaine (1973)

Il n'a rien foutu depuis qu'il est diplômé de l'école.

He hasn't done a damn thing since he graduated from school.

Il n'a rien voulu me dire.

He wouldn't tell me anything.

Il n'a rien activé.

He didn't activate anything.

Parce qu'il n'a rien réclamé?

Because he didn’t ask for anything?

— Assurance sur la mort (1944)

Mais il n'a rien compris.

But he didn't understand anything.

— Harry Potter à l'école des sorciers (2001)

Il n'a rien su.

He didn't know anything.

— Vivre (1952)

Il n'a rien réclamé.

He didn't ask for anything.

— Assurance sur la mort (1944)

Tu crois qu'il n'a rien touché?

Do you think he didn't touch anything?

Il n'a rien laissé entendre à ce sujet.

He didn’t hint at anything about it.

Il n'a rien appris que le rock'n'roll.

He learned nothing but rock 'n' roll.

— Les Ailes du désir (1987)

Il n'a rien volé.

He didn't steal anything.

— Lust, Caution (2007)

Il n'a rien senti.

He didn't feel anything.

Même sur le marché aux puces, il n'a rien pu trouver.

He couldn't find anything, even at the flea market.

Il n'a rien mangé de la journée.

He hasn't eaten anything all day.

— Quand passent les cigognes (1957)

Je suis sûr qu'il n'a rien dévoilé.

I'm sure he didn't reveal anything.

— De tout cœur (1998)