DELE A1 Guide: Negation – How to Say No and Make Negative Sentences in Spanish
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Want to practice first? Try a General Negation Quiz!
Key Takeaways
- Learn to use “no” to make sentences negative
- Master negative words: nada, nadie, nunca, tampoco
- Understand word order in negative sentences
- Learn to answer questions negatively
- Essential for DELE A1 conversations and descriptions
Welcome to your complete guide to Spanish negation, essential for denying, refusing, and expressing absence or negation on the DELE A1 exam. Mastering negation will help you communicate what isn’t true or what doesn’t happen.
What is Negation in Spanish?
Negation (negación) is the process of making sentences negative. The most basic way is using “no,” but Spanish also has other negative words that are essential for basic communication.
Basic Negation with “No”
Simple Negation Structure
| Structure | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Subject + no + verb | Yo no estudio | I don’t study |
| No + verb + subject | No estudio yo | I don’t study |
| Subject + no + verb + object | Ella no tiene coche | She doesn’t have a car |
DELE A1 Tip: The word “no” always comes directly before the verb. This is the most important rule for A1 level negation.
Common Negative Words
Essential Negative Vocabulary
| Spanish | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| nada | nothing, not anything | No veo nada |
| nadie | nobody, not anybody | No hay nadie |
| nunca | never, not ever | Nunca estudio |
| tampoco | neither, not either | Yo tampoco |
| ningún/ninguna | no, none, not any | No tengo ningún libro |
Double Negation
Spanish Double Negative Rules
In Spanish, using multiple negative words in one sentence is correct and common:
- No veo nada (I don’t see anything)
- No hay nadie (There isn’t anybody)
- Nunca como nada (I never eat anything)
Answering Questions Negatively
Simple Negative Answers
- ¿Estudias español? → No, no estudio español
- ¿Tienes un coche? → No, no tengo coche
- ¿Vas al cine? → No, no voy al cine
Using “Tampoco” for Agreement
- No me gusta el café → A mí tampoco
- No estudio los sábados → Yo tampoco
Common Negative Expressions
Daily Life Negation Examples
- No entiendo (I don’t understand)
- No sé (I don’t know)
- No puedo (I can’t)
- No quiero (I don’t want to)
- No me gusta (I don’t like it)
DELE A1 Exam Practice
Speaking Section Examples
- Answer questions negatively: “¿Tienes hermanos?” → “No, no tengo hermanos”
- Express inability: “No puedo ir al cine”
- State dislikes: “No me gusta el fútbol”
- Describe absence: “No hay nadie en casa”
Writing Section Examples
- Write negative sentences about your routine
- Describe what you don’t have or don’t do
- Answer questions with negative responses
- Create dialogues with negative expressions
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Forgetting “no” before verb: ❌ “Yo estudio no” ✅ “Yo no estudio”
- Wrong word order: ❌ “Nada no veo” ✅ “No veo nada“
- Using English negation patterns: ❌ “Yo veo nada” ✅ “No veo nada“
Next Step: Test Your Knowledge!
Ready to check your understanding of Spanish negation?
Take our DELE A1 Negation Quiz here to confirm you’re ready for this part of the exam.
What’s Next in Your DELE A1 Journey?
- Ready for questions? Study Question Words Guide
- Need verb practice? Review Present Tense Verbs
- Practice all A1 grammar? Take a Full A1 Grammar Test
Good luck with your DELE A1 preparation!
