Spanish Negation: Complete A1 Beginner’s Guide
◄ Back to A1 Grammar Hub | Practice with Negation Quiz ►
Key Takeaways
- Master basic negation with “no” and negative words
- Learn common negative words (nada, nadie, nunca)
- Understand double negation rules in Spanish
- Practice forming negative sentences correctly
Introduction to Spanish Negation
Making sentences negative in Spanish is straightforward once you understand the basic rules. Unlike English, Spanish often uses double negatives, which is perfectly correct! The key is knowing where to place the negative words and how they work together.
Basic Negation with “No”
Simple Negation:
Place no directly before the verb:
Affirmative: “Hablo español.” (I speak Spanish.)
Negative: “No hablo español.” (I don’t speak Spanish.)
More Examples:
- “No trabajo los sábados.” (I don’t work on Saturdays.)
- “No entiendo la pregunta.” (I don’t understand the question.)
- “No tenemos tiempo.” (We don’t have time.)
With Subject Pronouns:
- “Yo no sé.” (I don’t know.)
- “Ellos no vienen.” (They aren’t coming.)
Common Negative Words
nada – nothing, not anything
- “No veo nada.” (I don’t see anything.)
- “Nada es perfecto.” (Nothing is perfect.)
nadie – nobody, no one
- “No conozco a nadie.” (I don’t know anyone.)
- “Nadie está en casa.” (Nobody is home.)
nunca – never
- “No voy nunca al cine.” (I never go to the movies.)
- “Nunca como carne.” (I never eat meat.)
jamás – never (stronger than nunca)
- “Jamás olvidaré ese día.” (I will never forget that day.)
tampoco – neither, not either
- “Yo no voy y él tampoco.” (I’m not going and he isn’t either.)
- “No me gusta el café y tampoco el té.” (I don’t like coffee or tea either.)
Double Negation: Perfectly Correct!
Spanish vs English:
- English: “I don’t see anything.” (single negative)
- Spanish: “No veo nada.” (double negative – CORRECT!)
More Double Negative Examples:
- “No conozco a nadie.” (I don’t know anybody.)
- “No voy nunca.” (I never go.)
- “No quiero nada.” (I don’t want anything.)
Negative Word Placement
Before the Verb (without “no”):
- “Nadie habla español aquí.” (Nobody speaks Spanish here.)
- “Nada es imposible.” (Nothing is impossible.)
- “Nunca llega tarde.” (He never arrives late.)
After the Verb (with “no”):
- “No habla nadie español aquí.” (Nobody speaks Spanish here.)
- “No es nada imposible.” (Nothing is impossible.)
- “No llega nunca tarde.” (He never arrives late.)
Both placements are correct!
Forming Negative Questions
Yes/No Questions:
- “¿No hablas español?” (Don’t you speak Spanish?)
- “¿No vas a la fiesta?” (Aren’t you going to the party?)
Information Questions:
- “¿Por qué no estudias?” (Why don’t you study?)
- “¿Cuándo no trabajas?” (When don’t you work?)
Common Negative Expressions
ni… ni – neither… nor
- “No como ni carne ni pescado.” (I eat neither meat nor fish.)
- “Ni estudio ni trabajo hoy.” (I’m neither studying nor working today.)
ya no – no longer
- “Ya no vivo en Madrid.” (I no longer live in Madrid.)
- “Ya no trabajo allí.” (I no longer work there.)
todavía no – not yet
- “Todavía no entiendo.” (I don’t understand yet.)
- “Todavía no he comido.” (I haven’t eaten yet.)
Real-Life Usage Examples
Everyday Conversations:
- “No sé.” (I don’t know.)
- “No entiendo.” (I don’t understand.)
- “No problema.” (No problem.)
Making Plans:
- “No puedo ir.” (I can’t go.)
- “No tengo tiempo.” (I don’t have time.)
- “Nunca estoy libre los lunes.” (I’m never free on Mondays.)
Preferences:
- “No me gusta el café.” (I don’t like coffee.)
- “No quiero nada.” (I don’t want anything.)
- “Tampoco me gusta el té.” (I don’t like tea either.)
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t avoid double negatives – They’re correct in Spanish!
- Don’t place “no” incorrectly – Always before the verb
- Don’t confuse “tampoco” and “también” – tampoco = neither, también = also
- Don’t translate word-for-word from English negative patterns
Quick Reference Chart
| Negative Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| no | not, no | No hablo |
| nada | nothing | No veo nada |
| nadie | nobody | No conozco a nadie |
| nunca | never | No voy nunca |
| jamás | never (strong) | Jamás volveré |
| tampoco | neither | Yo no voy tampoco |
| ni… ni | neither… nor | No como ni carne ni pescado |
Ready to Practice?
Now that you understand Spanish negation, it’s time to test your knowledge!
Take our Spanish Negation Quiz ► to practice negative words, double negation, and forming correct negative sentences.
What’s Next in Your A1 Spanish Journey?
◄ Spanish Prepositions | Spanish Question Words ►
Need More Detailed Information?
- For advanced usage: Complete Negation Guide ►
- For exam preparation: DELE A1 Negation Guide ►
Remember: Negation becomes natural with practice. Don’t be afraid of double negatives – they’re perfectly correct in Spanish and will make your speech sound more authentic!
