Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| no | /ˈno/ |
| no pues | /no pwes/ (from spelling rules) |
no is a particle used to show disagreement or negation. It can also be used as an adverb.
Which one should you use?
While no can be a standalone response to a question, it is also used as an adverb to negate verbs, which differs from English where 'not' is the standard adverb. For example, no pues is a colloquial filler phrase used to express disbelief, resignation or to start a sentence with a sense of 'well, obviously'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
no pues is a colloquial phrase used in many Spanish-speaking regions.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
In Spanish, no is used as a negation particle before a verb to mean 'not'.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈno/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Depending on whether you are expressing negation or quantity, you should use ningún or ninguna instead.
When do people say it?
In Spain, it is common to say No puedo hacerlo, mamá. Lo siento muchísimo.
Did you know?
- Spanish uses the double negative for emphasis, such as no vi a nadie meaning 'I didn't see anyone'. In English, two negatives often cancel out, but in Spanish, they reinforce the negation.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, a sharp no can be seen as too aggressive. People often soften the negation with phrases like me gustaría, pero… to avoid appearing rude.
- In some Spanish contexts, no can be used as a tag question at the end of a sentence, similar to 'right?' or 'isn't it?' This transforms a statement into a request for confirmation rather than a negation.
Examples in context
- No, aún no sé.No, I still don't know.This sentence is useful for showing how no is used in a response.Tatoeba #1502230 by marcelostockle, translation #9966252 by DJ_Saidez
- Esto y no más.This and no more.This sentence shows the use of no in a phrase.Tatoeba #2268897 by cueyayotl, translation #2268896 by _undertoad
- Yo ya dije no.I already said no.This sentence demonstrates saying no as a direct statement.Tatoeba #4563333 by ecorralest101, translation #4562444 by Hybrid
- No puedo, mamá. Lo siento mucho.I can't, mom. I'm really sorry.
- Lo siento, mamá, pero no me gusta esa idea.I'm sorry, mom, but I don't like that idea.
- Ojalá pudiera, mamá, pero no puedo.I wish I could, mom, but I can't.
- 3432 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofía are deciding if they should order pizza.
- Mateo¿Quieres pedir pizza hoy?Do you want to order pizza today?
- SofíaNo, prefiero comer ensalada.No, I prefer to eat salad.
- Mateo¿No te gusta la pizza?Don't you like pizza?
- SofíaSí, pero hoy no.Yes, but not 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.
