no
neutral
Mexicans say no just as in other Spanish, and add para nada for "not at all". In casual talk nel is a slangy Mexican "nope". It is also called Claro que no.
Meaning: negative answer (adverb)
Ways to say it
| Mexican | Note |
|---|---|
| no | neutral |
| Para nada | emphatic |
| Nel | slang, Mexico |
| Claro que no | emphatic |
Nel is playful and fits friends and family only. Para nada can answer a question like ¿Te molesta? to mean it does not bother you at all.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Nel (and the matching simón for "yes") belong to Mexican street slang, and some listeners elsewhere may not recognise them.
Did you know?
- The slang simón for "yes" and nel for "no" are a matching pair in Mexican speech.
Examples in context
- No, gracias.No, thank you.
- ¿Te molesta? Para nada.Does it bother you? Not at all.
- ¿Vienes? Nel, estoy cansado.Coming? Nope, I am tired.
Example conversation
Beto asks his friend Chuy to go out in Monterrey.
- Beto¿Vamos al cine?Shall we go to the movies?
- ChuyNel, hoy no puedo.Nope, I cannot today.
- BetoBueno, mañana entonces.Fine, tomorrow then.
