- Master basic "no" - Learn to negate any verb using "no"
- Understand word order - Know where to place "no" in Spanish sentences
- Learn core negative words - nunca (never) and nada (nothing), plus optional nadie (nobody)
- Practice double negatives - Understand Spanish allows multiple negative words in one sentence
- Apply in everyday situations - Use negation for daily communication and conversations
- A1 Extension (Optional): Learn nadie (nobody) and tampoco (neither) for more variety
← Back to Grammar
Negation: no, nunca, nada (+ nadie, tampoco)
What You'll Learn
Overview / Usage
Creating negative sentences in Spanish is straightforward! Unlike English, Spanish allows and even prefers double negatives. The most common way to make a sentence negative is simply adding "no" before the verb.
🎯 The Golden Rule
In Spanish, double negatives make the sentence MORE negative, not positive!
English: "I don't want nothing" (incorrect) = "I want something"
Spanish: "No quiero nada" (correct) = "I don't want anything"
At A1 level, you'll master "no" and two core negative words (nunca, nada). Strong learners can add nadie and tampoco for extra variety.
Structure & Formation
🎯 How Spanish Negation Works
1. Basic "NO" - The Foundation
Simply put "no" directly before the verb - it's that easy!
Positive → Negative
✓ Hablo español
✗ No hablo español
I don't speak Spanish
✓ Tengo tiempo
✗ No tengo tiempo
I don't have time
With Pronouns
No me gusta
I don't like it
No lo entiendo
I don't understand it
2. Core Negative Words (A1 Essential)
Master these two first: nunca and nada are the most common and essential for A1.
NUNCA (never)
Nunca estudio
I never study
No estudio nunca
I never study (double negative!)
NADA (nothing/anything)
No quiero nada
I don't want anything
Nada es fácil
Nothing is easy
NADIE (nobody/anybody) - A1 Extension
No conozco a nadie
I don't know anybody
Nadie viene
Nobody is coming
TAMPOCO (neither/not either) - A1 Extension
Yo tampoco
Me neither / Not me either
No voy tampoco
I'm not going either
💡 Pattern: Before the verb = no "no" needed | After the verb = use "no" + negative word
A1 Focus: Master "nunca" and "nada" first. Add "nadie" and "tampoco" once you're comfortable with the basics.
🎨 Advanced Usage(A2+ Optional - Not important to memorise at this stage)
Multiple Negatives in One Sentence
Advanced learners can combine multiple negative words for emphasis:
No compro nada nunca
I never buy anything (triple negative!)
Nadie dice nada nunca
Nobody ever says anything
Other Negative Words (A2+)
jamás - never (more formal than nunca)
Jamás lo olvidaré
I will never forget it
ningún/ninguna - not any, no
No tengo ningún problema
I don't have any problem
ni...ni - neither...nor
No tengo ni tiempo ni dinero
I have neither time nor money
Focus on the basic four negative words first - these advanced forms will come naturally at A2/B1 level.
Examples
💬 Real-World Conversations
🍕 At a Restaurant
No quiero postre
I don't want dessertNo me gusta la pizza
I don't like pizzaNo tengo hambre
I'm not hungryTampoco quiero café
I don't want coffee eitherNunca como carne
I never eat meat🛍️ Shopping
No tengo dinero
I don't have moneyNo compro nada
I'm not buying anythingNadie me ayuda
Nobody helps meNo necesito nada más
I don't need anything elseTampoco me gusta esto
I don't like this either👥 Social Situations
No voy a la fiesta
I'm not going to the partyNo conozco a nadie
I don't know anybodyNunca salgo por la noche
I never go out at nightNo me apetece nada
I don't fancy anythingYo tampoco voy
I'm not going either🗣️ Common Expressions
¡No pasa nada!
No worries! / It's fine!
No hay problema
No problem
No me importa
I don't mind / I don't care
¡De nada!
You're welcome!
¡Por nada del mundo!
Not for anything in the world!
No es nada
It's nothing
Gotchas / Common Mistakes
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Don't avoid double negatives!
No quiero algo (English thinking)
✓ No quiero nada (Spanish double negative)
✓ No quiero nada (Spanish double negative)
No conozco alguien (English thinking)
✓ No conozco a nadie (Spanish double negative)
✓ No conozco a nadie (Spanish double negative)
✅ Remember: In Spanish, double negatives are correct and make the sentence MORE negative!
⚡ Word order matters
Before the verb = no "no" needed:
✓ Nunca estudio (I never study)
✓ Nadie viene (Nobody comes)
✓ Nunca estudio (I never study)
✓ Nadie viene (Nobody comes)
After the verb = "no" required:
✓ No estudio nunca (I never study)
✓ No viene nadie (Nobody comes)
✓ No estudio nunca (I never study)
✓ No viene nadie (Nobody comes)
💡 "Tampoco" vs "También"
Don't confuse these similar-sounding words:
• También = also, too (positive)
• Tampoco = neither, not either (negative)
"Yo voy también" (I'm going too) vs "Yo no voy tampoco" (I'm not going either)
• Tampoco = neither, not either (negative)
"Yo voy también" (I'm going too) vs "Yo no voy tampoco" (I'm not going either)
Quick Test / Mini Quiz
📝 Test Your Spanish Negation Skills
Practice using 'no' and negative words in Spanish!
1
How do you say 'I don't speak English'?
2
Which is correct in Spanish?
3
How do you say 'I never eat meat'?
4
What does 'Yo tampoco' mean?
5
Which sentence uses double negative correctly?
6
How do you say 'Nobody comes to class'?
7
What's the difference between 'también' and 'tampoco'?
8
Complete: 'No quiero ___ más' (I don't want anything else)
Useful Resources
Coming soon...