no, no lo hice
The phrase "no, I didn't" is translated into Spanish as no, no lo hice.
This phrase is used to deny that one performed a specific action in the past.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "no, I didn't do it" because the Spanish verb hacer (to do/make) is required to express the action.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the preterite tense of the verb hacer to indicate a completed action in the past.
Did you know?
- The word hice shares its ancestor with the English word 'fact', as both derive from the Latin 'facere', meaning 'to do'.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, a strong no, no lo hice accompanied by a hand gesture or a shrug can sometimes be interpreted as a playful denial rather than a literal one.
- If you want to say 'I didn't do it' to a woman, the phrase remains exactly the same: no, no lo hice.
Examples in context
- No, no lo hice, ¿por qué lo preguntas?No, I didn't do it, why are you asking?
- No, yo no fui, te lo juro.No, I didn't go, I swear.
- Él cree que yo llamé, pero no, no lo hice.He thinks I called, but no, I didn't.
Example conversation
Mateo asks Elena if she broke a glass.
- ElenaMateo, ¿rompiste el vaso?Mateo, did you break the glass?
- MateoNo, no lo hice.No, I didn't.
- ElenaEntonces, ¿quién fue?Then, who was it?
- MateoNo lo sé, Elena.I don't know, Elena.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hice, lo, no, CC BY-SA 4.0.
