Learning how to express the concept of “not real” in Spanish is essential when communicating in different situations. In this guide, we will explore various ways to convey this idea, including both formal and informal expressions. While we will primarily focus on standard Spanish, we will also highlight any relevant regional variations. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “Not Real” in Spanish
Formal expressions play a crucial role in professional and academic contexts. Here are some formal ways to articulate “not real” in Spanish:
1. No es real: This straightforward phrase translates to “it’s not real” in English. It is a concise and widely applicable term used in formal situations.
2. No es de verdad: Literally meaning “it’s not true,” this phrase is often used to discuss things that are not genuine or authentic.
3. Falso/a: This formal adjective means “false” and is commonly used to describe something that is not real or authentic.
Informal Ways to Say “Not Real” in Spanish
Informal expressions are more commonly used in everyday conversations among friends, family, and people you are familiar with. Below are some informal ways to say “not real” in Spanish:
1. No es de verdad: Like its formal counterpart, this phrase can be used in informal settings as well to convey that something is not real or true.
2. No es de verdad ni de mentira: Translating to “it’s neither real nor fake,” this expression is often employed when referring to partially true information or situations that blur the line between reality and fiction.
3. No existe: This commonly used phrase translates to “it doesn’t exist” in English, conveying the idea that something is not real or doesn’t really happen.
Regional Variations
While the above expressions apply to most Spanish-speaking regions, it’s worth noting that there may be some regional variations regarding how to say “not real” in Spanish. Let’s explore a couple of examples:
Mexico
In Mexico, you may encounter variations such as:
1. No es cierto: This expression, meaning “it’s not true,” is frequently used to describe situations that are not real or genuine. It is a common alternative to the previously mentioned phrases.
Argentina
In Argentina, the following phrases are often used:
1. No existe: Similarly to the more widespread usage, Argentinians also use “no existe” to convey that something is not real or doesn’t exist.
2. Mentira: Meaning “lie” in English, Argentinians may use this term informally to express that something is not real or true.
Examples
To get a better grasp of how to use these expressions, let’s look at some examples:
- Formal:
- No es real lo que estás viendo en la pantalla. (What you’re seeing on the screen is not real.)
- Esa afirmación no es de verdad. (That statement is not true.)
- La información que proporcionaron es falsa. (The information they provided is false.)
Informal:
- No es de verdad lo que están diciendo. (What they’re saying is not true.)
- Lo que me contaron no es de verdad ni de mentira. (What I was told is neither real nor fake.)
- No existe tal cosa como un unicornio. (There is no such thing as a unicorn.)
Regional Variations:
- Mexico:
- Eso no es cierto, lo están inventando. (That’s not true, they’re making it up.)
- Argentina:
- Esa historia no existe, es solo un cuento. (That story doesn’t exist, it’s just a tale.)
- Eso que decís es una mentira, no es de verdad. (What you’re saying is a lie and not true.)
