no, no lo soy
The English phrase "no, I am not" is translated into Spanish as no, no lo soy.
This phrase is used specifically when someone asks if you are a certain type of person or hold a certain identity (e.g., 'Are you a doctor?').
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, no, no lo soy translates to "no, not it I am" or "no, I am not that".
How does it change in a sentence?
In this phrase, the word lo acts as a direct object pronoun representing the adjective or noun that was previously mentioned.
Did you know?
- If you omit the tiny word lo and simply say no, no soy, you might sound as if you are refusing to exist or refusing to act.
- In Spanish, the word no is used twice in this phrase for two entirely different grammatical reasons. The first no functions as a standalone answer, while the second no is a part of the verbal negation required by Spanish grammar.
- The word lo in no, no lo soy comes from the Latin word illum, which originally meant 'that' or 'that one'.
Examples in context
- No, no pienso hacerlo.No, I am not going to do it.
- No, no lo soy.No, I am not.
- ¿Eres tú el culpable? No, no lo soy.¿Are you the guilty one? No, I am not.
- Él cree que soy su jefe, pero no, no lo soy.He thinks I am his boss, but no, I am not.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are talking about their professional roles at work.
- AlejandroElena, ¿eres la nueva gerente de ventas?Elena, are you the new sales manager?
- ElenaNo, no lo soy, Alejandro.No, I am not, Alejandro.
- AlejandroOh, lo siento. Me confundí.Oh, I'm sorry. I got confused.
- ElenaNo te preocupes, no pasa nada.Don't worry, it's okay.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lo, no, soy, CC BY-SA 4.0.
