Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| no | /ˈno/ |
| no pues | /no pwes/ (from spelling rules) |
In Spanish, no is used as a particle to express disagreement or negation, functioning similarly to how it is used in English to answer a question. It can also serve as an adverb to negate verbs, such as in the phrase no quiero (I don't want).
Which one should you use?
While English distinguishes between the response 'no' and the adverb 'not' used for negation, Spanish uses no for both purposes. For example, no is used both to answer a question and to negate a verb.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the expressions ni de broma and ni loco are sometimes used to convey strong disagreement or refusal.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
In Spanish, no is used as an adverb to negate verbs, whereas in English 'no' is typically a response and 'not' is the adverb used for negation.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈno/
Did you know?
- Spanish speakers often use no at the end of a sentence as a tag question, similar to 'right?' or 'isn't it?' in English.
- In some dialects, a double negative like no sé nada (literally 'I don't know nothing') is grammatically correct and used for emphasis, whereas it would be a mistake in standard English.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, a subtle tilt of the head or a slight click of the tongue can accompany no to soften the refusal or express skepticism.
Examples in context
- No, aún no sé.No, I still don't know.This sentence is useful for using no to indicate a lack of knowledge.Tatoeba #1502230 by marcelostockle, translation #9966252 by DJ_Saidez
- Esto y no más.This and no more.This sentence is useful for using no to express a limit or extent.Tatoeba #2268897 by cueyayotl, translation #2268896 by _undertoad
- Yo ya dije no.I already said no.This sentence is useful for using no to confirm a prior refusal.Tatoeba #4563333 by ecorralest101, translation #4562444 by Hybrid
- Me temo que no.I'm afraid not.
- No, gracias.No, thank you.
- No, estoy ocupado/a.No, I'm busy.
- Ni loco/a.Not even crazy.
- 3432 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Elena are discussing whether to eat pizza for dinner.
- Mateo¿Quieres comer pizza, Elena?Do you want to eat pizza, Elena?
- ElenaNo, prefiero una ensalada.No, I prefer a salad.
- Mateo¿No te gusta la pizza?Don't you like pizza?
- ElenaNo, hoy no tengo ganas.No, I don't feel like it today.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “no” translations and entries no, 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.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
