¡ni de coña!
/ˈni de ˈkoɲa/word by word
Spanish 'hell no' is translated as ¡ni de coña!
¡ni de coña! is used to express a strong, emphatic refusal or to express disbelief that something could be true.
Meaning: Translations (intj)
Which one should you use?
While ¡ni de coña! is used as a colloquial way to say "not by a long shot" or "no way", the phrase Ni en sueños can be translated as "not even in dreams" and serves as an informal way of expressing strong refusal.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
¡ni de coña! is highly informal and contains a vulgarity. You should avoid it in formal settings or around people you do not know well.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The phrasing ¡ni de coña! is characteristic of Peninsular Spanish in Spain and is less commonly used in Latin America.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈni de ˈkoɲa/
Did you know?
- The word coña comes from the vulgar term coño, but in this phrase it has shifted meaning to refer to a joke or a prank.
- While English speakers use 'hell' to add emphasis to a refusal, the Spanish ¡ni de coña! relies on a noun that is biologically anatomical rather than religious.
- Despite its vulgar origin, ¡ni de coña! is so common in Spain that it is frequently used among friends to express playful disbelief rather than anger.
Examples in context
- ¿Aceptas el trabajo por un salario mínimo? – ¡Ni de vaina!Do you accept the job for minimum wage? – Hell no!
- ¿Vas a ir a su fiesta?Are you going to his party?
- ¿Me prestas tu coche nuevo? ¡Ni de coña!Can I borrow your new car? Hell no!
Example conversation
Alejandro asks Sofía to do his laundry.
- Alejandro¡Sofía, podrías lavar mi ropa hoy?Sofía, could you do my laundry today?
- Sofía¡Ni de coña! Tienes que hacerlo tú.Hell no! You have to do it yourself.
- AlejandroPero estoy muy cansado, por favor.But I am very tired, please.
- SofíaNo me importa, hazlo tú.I don't care, do it yourself.
