The Spanish word 'nihilista' (meaning 'nihilist') is formed from two Latin elements: 'nihil' meaning 'nothing' and the suffix '-ista' meaning 'one who practices or believes in something'. When combined, these elements create a word that literally means 'one who believes in nothing', referring to someone who follows the philosophical belief system of nihilism.

Some related Spanish words include 'nulo' (null, void), 'aniquilar' (to annihilate), and 'nada' (nothing), which all share connections to the concept of nothingness or negation, though they developed through different Latin pathways.

English speakers might recognize the connection to the word 'nihilism' and 'nihilist', which come from the same Latin root 'nihil'. The word 'nil', meaning 'nothing' or 'zero', especially used in sports scores, is also directly from Latin 'nihil'. The word 'annihilate' (to completely destroy) also contains this root, literally meaning 'to make into nothing'.