What’s the difference?

Question

Looking back through the Quick Lesson and the accompanying discussion I still can’t tell the difference between “none arrived” and “no one arrived”. Aren’t they just two ways of saying the same thing? (Albeit, the second being my preference.)

Accepted Answer

None -- nobody of a group (aucun, aucun d'entre eux)nobody -- nobody at all (personne)
My friends arrived late and none got on the train. -- Some other people might have gotten on the train but none of my friends did.
My friends arrived late and nobody got on the train. -- For whatever reason, nobody got on the train, not even myfriends.

Answer

Bonjour Richard,
To supplement Chris's answer:
None (of them):
Le groupe de touristes est arrivé au restaurant. Aucun (d'entre eux) ne mangent de viande. = The group of tourists has arrived. None (of them) eat meat.
No one - Nobody:
Personne n'est venu à la réunion ! = Nobody came to the meeting!
I hope this is helpful.
Bonne journée !

Answer

I suppose if you’re talking about things rather than people, “none arrived” makes sense. Perhaps that’s what I’m missing?

Answer

Richard, in another context ‘ all my friends went to the station, but none got on the train ‘ or ‘…. no one got on the train’.

The distinction is not just for objects - depends on context and intended meaning whether none (of them), no one, or nothing, is the right expression.

Same in French as in English, I think.

Answer

Thank you for all replies. Very helpful.