What does it mean word for word?
Literally, no tengo ni idea means "I don't even have an idea". In this context, the word ni acts as an emphatic "not even".
Which one should you use?
Depending on how much emphasis you want to add, you can choose different forms: no tengo ni idea means "I don't have any idea". no tengo la menor idea means "I don't have the slightest idea". no tengo la más remota idea is a stronger way to say "I don't have the faintest idea". And no tengo ni la más remota idea similarly expresses "I don't have the faintest idea".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
no tengo ni idea is a colloquial phrase. While it is not vulgar, it is more common in spoken, informal conversation than in formal writing. If you need to be more professional, use the formal expression no tengo información al respecto, which means "I have no information on the matter".
How does it change in a sentence?
When you follow the phrase no tengo ni idea with a noun or a question, you must use the preposition de. For example, you would say no tengo ni idea de… to mean "I have no clue about/of…".
How do you pronounce it?
/no tenɡo ni idea/
Did you know?
- The word ni is a linguistic relative of the Irish word nach and the Gothic word nih, both of which served similar negative functions in their respective languages.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, saying no tengo ni idea with a specific rising intonation can be used sarcastically to imply that the speaker actually knows exactly what is happening.
- While no tengo ni idea is common, Spanish speakers often use the phrase ni idea alone as a shorthand response. This clipped version functions as a complete sentence in casual conversation.
Examples in context
- No tengo ni idea de qué me estás hablando.I have no clue what you're talking about.This sentence is useful for practicing how to use the phrase no tengo ni idea before a question.Tatoeba #2216773 by Shishir, translation #2134093 by Hybrid
- No tengo ni idea de cómo llegar al aeropuertoI have no clue how to get to the airport
- No tengo la menor idea de qué está pasandoI have no clue what is happening
- No tengo ni la más remota idea de cómo resolver este problemaI have no clue how to solve this problem
- No tengo conocimiento sobre ese tema específicoI have no clue about that specific topic
- No tengo información al respecto, pero puedo investigarI have no clue about it, but I can look into it
- No tengo ni idea de dónde dejé las llaves.I have no clue where I left the keys.
Example conversation
Javier and María are looking for a lost book in the living room.
- Javier¿Sabes dónde está mi libro favorito, María?Do you know where my favorite book is, María?
- MaríaLo siento, Javier, no tengo ni idea.I'm sorry, Javier, I have no clue.
- JavierEs extraño, estaba aquí hace un momento.It's strange, it was here a moment ago.
- MaríaQuizás lo guardaste en otro lugar.Maybe you put it somewhere else.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries idea, ni, no, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
