not even
Used to stress that something is excluded from a statement, often with negation.
Nici măcar n-a răspuns.
He/She didn't even answer.
Nici eu nu știu.
I don't know either.
Nici unul dintre ei nu a venit.
Neither of them came.
#85 · Adverb · ADV
In Romanian, nici means “not even”. It’s the #85 most frequently used Romanian word. Below you’ll find how to use it, its forms, real example sentences, and common word pairings.
A negative/contrastive adverb used with negation, most often in structures like „nici... nici...” or to mean „not even” / „nor”.
neutralUsed to stress that something is excluded from a statement, often with negation.
He/She didn't even answer.
I don't know either.
Neither of them came.
Connects two negative alternatives, especially in pairs like „nici... nici...”.
He/She has neither time nor money.
I can’t today or tomorrow either.
Neither you nor I are prepared.
Ranked by how often each form shows up in spoken Romanian. The top form cover about 100% of everyday use — learn these first.
nici... nici...
Pairs two negative alternatives: 'neither... nor...'
Nici azi, nici mâine nu pot.
I can’t today or tomorrow either.
nici eu / nici tu / nici el...
Used after a negative statement to mean 'me neither / you too not / him too not' in context.
— Nu vin. — Nici eu.
— I’m not coming. — Me neither.
nici măcar + verb/clause
Means 'not even', often for emphasis.
Nici măcar nu s-a uitat la mine.
He/She didn’t even look at me.
Nici eu nu am primit mesajul.
I didn’t get the message either.
nici eu nu... - Expresses shared negation: 'I also did not...'.
Nu e nici cald, nici frig.
It’s neither hot nor cold.
nici... nici... - Classic paired negative construction.
Nici măcar nu a încercat.
He/She didn’t even try.
nici măcar - Adds emphasis: 'not even'.