- Master basic negation using "no" before any verb
- Understand word order - where to place "no" in Spanish sentences
- Learn core negative words: nunca (never), nada (nothing), nadie (nobody)
- Practise double negatives - Spanish allows multiple negative words
- Apply negation in everyday situations and conversations
← Back to Grammar
SentencesBeginner
Negation: no, nunca, nada (+ nadie, tampoco)
Form negative sentences with no, nunca, nada, nadie, and double negatives
The rule at a glance
no + verb
No hablo francés. = I don't speak French.
Never
nunca
never
Nunca llego tarde.
I never arrive late.
Nothing
nada
nothing, anything
No quiero nada, gracias.
I don't want anything, thanks.
Nobody
nadie
nobody, anybody
No conozco a nadie aquí.
I don't know anybody here.
Neither
tampoco
neither, not either
¿No te gusta? A mí tampoco.
You don't like it? Me neither.
- Double negatives are correct. No quiero nada means "I don't want anything", not "I want something".
- If the negative word comes before the verb, drop no. Nadie viene and No viene nadie both mean "Nobody is coming".
What You'll Learn
Overview
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"
Structure & Formation
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
Core Negative Words
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)
No conozco a nadie
I don't know anybody
Nadie viene
Nobody is coming
TAMPOCO (neither/not either)
Yo tampoco
Me neither
No voy tampoco
I'm not going either
Pattern: Before the verb = no "no" needed | After the verb = use "no" + negative word
Advanced Patterns
Multiple negatives for emphasis
No compro nada nunca = I never buy anything
Nadie dice nada nunca = Nobody ever says anything
Other negative words
jamás (never - emphatic) | ningún/ninguna (not any) | ni...ni (neither...nor)
Examples
At a Restaurant
No + verb
No quiero postre
I don't want dessert
No + pronoun + verb
No me gusta la pizza
I don't like pizza
No + verb
No tengo hambre
I'm not hungry
Nunca
Nunca como carne
I never eat meat
Tampoco
Tampoco quiero café
I don't want coffee either
Shopping
No + verb
No tengo dinero
I don't have money
Double negative
No compro nada
I'm not buying anything
Nadie
Nadie me ayuda
Nobody helps me
Double negative
No necesito nada más
I don't need anything else
Tampoco
Tampoco me gusta esto
I don't like this either
Common Expressions
Tip: Memorise these useful everyday phrases!
Reassurance
¡No pasa nada!
No worries! / It's fine!
Reassurance
No hay problema
No problem
Indifference
No me importa
I don't mind / I don't care
Response
¡De nada!
You're welcome!
Dismissal
No es nada
It's nothing
Common Mistakes
Most Common Negation Mistakes
Wrong: No quiero algo
Correct: No quiero nada
Spanish uses double negatives! "Algo" becomes "nada" with "no"
Wrong: No conozco alguien
Correct: No conozco a nadie
"Alguien" becomes "nadie" in negative sentences
Wrong: Hablo nunca español
Correct: Nunca hablo español / No hablo nunca español
Put "nunca" before the verb, or use "no...nunca" structure
The Double Negative Rule
English: Double negative = positive ("I don't want nothing" = I want something)
Spanish: Double negative = MORE negative ("No quiero nada" = I don't want anything)
In Spanish, multiple negatives reinforce each other - don't be afraid to stack them!
Word Order Patterns
Negative words can go before OR after the verb:
Before verb (no "no" needed)
Nunca estudio = I never study
Nadie viene = Nobody comes
After verb ("no" required)
No estudio nunca = I never study
No viene nadie = Nobody comes
"También" vs "Tampoco"
Don't confuse these similar-sounding words:
También = also, too (positive): "Yo voy también" (I'm going too)
Tampoco = neither, not either (negative): "Yo tampoco voy" (I'm not going either)
Quick Test
Practise 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)