Negation in Spanish
La negación
Spanish negation is formed by placing no before the verb. Unlike some languages, Spanish uses double negatives as standard grammar.
Example: Hablo español → No hablo español
Basic Negation Pattern
The simplest way to make a sentence negative is to add 'no' before the verb.
| Affirmative | Negative | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Hablo español. | No hablo español. | I don't speak Spanish. |
| Es tarde. | No es tarde. | It's not late. |
| Tengo dinero. | No tengo dinero. | I don't have money. |
| Quiero café. | No quiero café. | I don't want coffee. |
Common Learner Questions
Helpful questions when forming negative sentences:
- Where does 'no' go in relation to the verb?
- Is there a negative word (nada, nadie, nunca)?
- Does the negative word come before or after the verb?
- Are there object pronouns that need placement?
- Can I use double negatives?
Example Sentences
No tengo tiempo ahora.I don't have time now.
Nunca como comida picante.I never eat spicy food.
No veo a nadie en la calle.I don't see anyone on the street.
Tampoco me gusta el café.I don't like coffee either.
No quiero nada de ti.I don't want anything from you.
Nunca, Jamás, Tampoco
Special negative expressions for 'never' and 'neither'.
Simple Negation with 'No'
Place 'no' directly before the conjugated verb.
| Structure | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Subject + no + verb | Yo no como carne. | I don't eat meat. |
| No + verb | No entiendo. | I don't understand. |
| No + pronoun + verb | No me gusta. | I don't like it. |
| Subject + no + pronoun + verb | Ella no lo sabe. | She doesn't know it. |
- 'No' goes immediately before the verb
- Nothing comes between 'no' and the verb
- Subject pronouns (if used) come before 'no'
- Object pronouns go between 'no' and the verb
Common Negative Words
Negative words used in Spanish sentences.
| Negative | Affirmative | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| nada | algo | No tengo nada. | I don't have anything. |
| nadie | alguien | No veo a nadie. | I don't see anyone. |
| nunca/jamás | siempre | No voy nunca. | I never go. |
| ninguno/ninguna | alguno/alguna | No tengo ningún libro. | I don't have any book. |
| tampoco | también | No me gusta tampoco. | I don't like it either. |
| ni | o | No tengo ni tiempo ni dinero. | I have neither time nor money. |
Placement with Object Pronouns
Object pronouns go between 'no' and the verb.
- No + object pronoun + verb
- Reflexive pronouns also go between 'no' and verb
- Multiple pronouns keep same order
Double Negatives
Spanish requires double negatives when using negative words with verbs.
| Pattern | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| no + verb + negative word | No veo nada. | I don't see anything. |
| negative word + verb | Nada veo. | I see nothing. |
| no + verb + nunca | No voy nunca. | I never go. |
| nunca + verb | Nunca voy. | I never go. |
- If negative word comes after verb, use 'no' before verb
- If negative word comes before verb, don't use 'no'
- Multiple negatives in one sentence are grammatically correct
Nunca como carne.I never eat meat.type: Nunca (never)
No lo haré jamás.I will never do it.type: Jamás (never/ever)
No me gusta. A mí tampoco.I don't like it. Me neither.type: Tampoco (neither/not either)
No tengo ni hambre ni sed.I have neither hunger nor thirst.type: Ni...ni (neither...nor)
Nunca jamás volveré.I'll never ever return.type: Nunca jamás (never ever)
No lo veo.I don't see it.type: Direct object
No le digo nada.I don't tell him/her anything.type: Indirect object
No me levanto temprano.I don't get up early.type: Reflexive
No se lo doy.I don't give it to him/her.type: Two pronouns
Multiple Negatives in One Sentence
Spanish allows and requires multiple negative words in the same sentence.
No hablo nunca con nadie.I never talk to anyone.
No tengo nada tampoco.I don't have anything either.
Nunca hago nada los domingos.I never do anything on Sundays.
No veo a nadie nunca aquí.I never see anyone here.
No quiero ni comer ni beber nada.I don't want to eat or drink anything.