en absoluto
/en absoˈluto/
The English phrase 'at all' can be translated into Spanish as en absoluto. It is also spelled en lo absoluto. Wiktionary also lists en lo más mínimo.
Meaning: to the slightest degree, in any way (adv)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| en absoluto | /en absoˈluto/ | |
| en lo absoluto | /en lo absoˈluto/ | alternative form |
| en lo más mínimo | /en lo mas minimo/ (from spelling rules) |
The phrase is used to mean 'to the slightest degree' or 'in any way'. You can also use Para nada to convey the same idea, or the informal phrase Ni un poco to mean 'not even a little bit'.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally translated, en absoluto means 'in absolute', where it functions as an adverbial phrase to intensify a negation.
Which one should you use?
While en absoluto is a standard way to express 'at all', en lo más mínimo is a more emphatic and slightly more colloquial way to say 'in the slightest degree'.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you use en absoluto to mean 'at all' in a negative sense, it is typically placed at the end of the clause or immediately following the negated verb.
How do you pronounce it?
/en absoˈluto/
Did you know?
- The word absoluto shares a root with the English verb 'absolve', as both stem from the Latin 'absolvere' meaning 'to loosen' or 'to set free'.
- In Spanish, en absoluto can be used as a standalone response to a question. It functions as a strong 'not at all' or 'absolutely not' without needing a verb.
- Depending on the region, en absoluto can sound overly formal or stiff in casual settings. Many native speakers prefer para nada to avoid sounding like a textbook.
Examples in context
- No es eso en absoluto.It's not that at all.Tatoeba #1517612 by marcelostockle, translation #1517272 by CM
- No le creo en absoluto.I don't believe him at all.Tatoeba #1601096 by teskmon, translation #65842 by CK
- No lo dudo en absoluto.I don't doubt it at all.Tatoeba #13559954 by Seael, translation #13580187 by rul
- No entiendo el problema para nada.I don't understand the problem at all.
- No me interesa su propuesta para nada.I'm not interested in their proposal at all.
- No tengo hambre en absoluto.I'm not hungry at all.
- No tengo interés en participar en ese proyecto en absoluto.I have no interest in participating in that project at all.
- No me importa ni un poco lo que piensen de mí.I don't care about what they think of me at all.
- No me duele ni un poco el cambio de planes.The change of plans doesn't bother me at all.
- No me gusta esa película para nada, ni siquiera un poquito.I don't like that movie at all, not even a little bit.
- 93 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are talking about a movie they just watched.
- Elena¿Te gustó la película, Javier?Did you like the movie, Javier?
- JavierNo, no me gustó en absoluto.No, I didn't like it at all.
- ElenaParece que fue muy aburrida.It seems it was very boring.
- JavierSí, no tiene sentido en absoluto.Yes, it doesn't make sense at all.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “at all” translations and entries en absoluto, en lo absoluto, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries absoluto, en, en absoluto, lo, más, mínimo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
