не́ с кем vs ни с ке́м

ne s kem vs ni s kem — no one to be with vs with nobody

What it really means

Не́ с кем is the stressed не- form meaning that there is no person available as a companion or partner for an action. The preposition stays separate: мне не́ с кем поговорить means “I have no one to talk with.” It usually combines with an infinitive and needs no additional не.

Ни с ке́м means “with nobody” in a negative-concord clause. The negative particle ни follows the preposition, while the finite verb normally carries не: я ни с ке́м не спорю, “I argue with nobody.” The first construction describes a missing possible companion; the second denies an actual interaction with any person.

Examples in natural speech

Мне не́ с кем обсудить эту идею.
I have no one to discuss this idea with.
Ей не́ с кем поехать в отпуск.
She has no one to go on vacation with.
Я ни с ке́м не спорю.
I argue with nobody.
Он ни с ке́м не поделился новостью.
He shared the news with no one.
Мы ни с ке́м не знакомы в этом городе.
We know nobody in this city.

Common mistakes

Keep the preposition separate and place не́ before с in не́ с кем; do not write нес кем. Do not use не́ с кем for an action that simply did not happen with anyone: я ни с ке́м не говорил is the negative-concord form.

Memory tip

Не́ с кем leaves you without a partner; ни с ке́м shows that no partner took part.

Frequently asked questions

Why is не written separately in не́ с кем?

This is не plus a preposition plus the pronoun: не́ с кем. It is not one fused word.

Where does ни go with a preposition?

Ни follows the preposition: ни с ке́м, ни у кого́, and ни о чём.

Can не́ с кем stand alone?

Yes: С кем пойти? — Не́ с кем. A full infinitive phrase makes the unavailable partner explicit.

Note: This site uses JavaScript for interactive drills, audio playback, and progress tracking. Please enable JavaScript for the full experience.