no sirve
/no siɾbe/from spelling rules
The English phrase "no good" is translated into Spanish as no sirve.
no sirve is used to describe something that is not functional. You can add para nada to the end of the phrase to create no sirve para nada, which emphasizes that the object is completely useless.
Which one should you use?
While no sirve implies something is useless or broken, the phrase no funciona specifically focuses on a machine or system failing to operate.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the informal expression No está chido is used to say "it's not cool". In Argentina, the informal phrase no está copado is used to mean "it's not cool or trendy".
How does it change in a sentence?
no sirve is the third-person singular form of the verb servir (to serve/to be useful) in the negative. If you are referring to plural objects, you should use the form no sirven.
How do you pronounce it?
/no siɾbe/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, saying no sirve about a person can be a harsh personal insult implying they are useless or worthless.
- In some contexts, no sirve is used to describe a law or a rule that is no longer effective or ignored by the public.
- The verb in no sirve comes from servir, which shares a root with the English word 'service', linking utility to the concept of performing a function.
Examples in context
- El resultado no es buenoThe result is not good
- El trabajo realizado no es satisfactorioThe work done is not satisfactory
- El producto no cumple con los estándares de calidadThe product does not meet the quality standards
- La conducta mostrada no es aceptableThe behavior displayed is not acceptable
- El material utilizado no es de buena calidadThe material used is not of good quality
- Tu actitud no está bienYour attitude is not good
- La película no está chidaThe movie is not cool
- La comida no es genialThe food is not great
- Ir a esa fiesta no vale la penaGoing to that party is not worth it
- Este control remoto no sirve.This remote control does not work.
- Mi teléfono no sirve desde ayer.My phone hasn't been working since yesterday.
- La aplicación no sirve en mi tablet.The app does not work on my tablet.
Example conversation
Mateo and María are in the kitchen trying to use a toaster.
- MateoMaría, creo que la tostadora no sirve.María, I think the toaster doesn't work.
- MaríaA ver, deja que yo intente encenderla.Let's see, let me try to turn it on.
- MateoNo pasa nada, definitivamente no sirve.Nothing is happening, it's definitely no good.
- MaríaTienes razón, tenemos que comprar otra.You're right, we have to buy another one.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
