nêrens

Afrikaans

Alternative forms

• nêrenster
• nergens
• niewers

Etymology

From nergens, from Dutch nergens, from Middle Dutch nergens, nergen, from Old Dutch niergin.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈnɛːrəns/

• Audio:

  (file)

Adverb

nêrens

1. nowhere

   Ons gaan nêrens heen nie.

   We are going nowhere. / We aren't going anywhere.

2. anywhere

   Ek wil nêrens heen gaan nie!

   I don't want to go anywhere!

Antonyms

• oral

Related terms

• êrens
• iewers

Noun

nêrens (uncountable)

1. nowhere (sometimes used with niks, which means nothing.)

   Die dorpie is in die middle van niks en nêrens.

   The [small] town is in the middle of nowhere.

2. anywhere

   Jy bly nogal ver van nêrens.

   You live rather far from anywhere.

Usage notes

Usage of this word, either as a noun or adverb, follows the standard Afrikaans rules for negation, i.e. it is double negated and thus should always be accompanied by nie. In speech the nie is sometimes omitted.