Learn Portuguese (Portugal): Ele não nota nenhum detalhe.

Ele não nota nenhum detalhe.

He does not notice any detail.

Breakdown of Ele não nota nenhum detalhe.

no / none / not any (quantity)

Questions & Answers about Ele não nota nenhum detalhe.

Why does this sentence use both não and nenhum? Isn't that a double negative?

Yes, it is a double negative, and that is required in Portuguese! When a negative word like nenhum (which means "any" or "no" in this context) comes after the verb, you must put não before the verb. Literally, it translates to "He does not notice no detail."

Why is it nenhum instead of nenhuma?

Nenhum changes its ending to match the gender and number of the noun it describes. Because detalhe (detail) is a masculine singular noun, we use the masculine singular form nenhum. If the noun were feminine, like diferença (difference), it would be nenhuma diferença.

Could I use algum instead of nenhum here to mean "any"?

Not in this exact position. In negative sentences, if the word comes before the noun, you must use nenhum (não nota nenhum detalhe). However, you can use algum if you place it completely after the noun to add emphasis: não nota detalhe algum. Both structures mean "doesn't notice any detail."

Does the word nota mean "note" or "notice"?