negó con la cabeza
/neɡo kon la kabeθa/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'shook his head' is translated into Spanish as negó con la cabeza.
If you want to emphasize a more pronounced, explicit denial by making a gesture of denial with the head, you can use Hizo un gesto de negación.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase negó con la cabeza literally translates to 'denied with the head'.
Which one should you use?
While negó con la cabeza is used for negation (shaking the head), the phrase asintió con la cabeza is used for affirmation (nodding).
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, a slight upward tilt of the head can signal a 'no' and is used alongside or instead of negó con la cabeza.
- The word cabeza comes from a Latin diminutive, meaning the word for 'head' is etymologically a 'little head'.
- The word cabeza is a cognate of the English word 'cap', as both stem from the Latin 'caput' meaning 'head'.
Examples in context
- El capitán negó con la cabeza.The captain shook his head.This sentence is useful for seeing how to describe a captain shaking his head.Tatoeba #10785054 by megamanenm, translation #10785051 by megamanenm
- El profesor negó con la cabeza cuando le pidieron cambiar la fecha del examen.The teacher shook his head when asked to change the exam date.
- El juez movió la cabeza de un lado a otro al escuchar el veredicto.The judge shook his head from side to side upon hearing the verdict.
- La niña hizo un gesto de negación cuando le ofrecieron más comida.The girl shook her head in refusal when offered more food.
- Él negó con la cabeza ante la pregunta.He shook his head at the question.
- El niño negó con la cabeza y se fue.The boy shook his head and left.
Example conversation
Lucía asks Alejandro if he finished the report.
- Lucía¿Terminaste el informe, Alejandro?Did you finish the report, Alejandro?
- AlejandroNo, todavía me falta mucho.No, I still have a lot left.
- Lucía¿De verdad no pudiste terminarlo?Really, you couldn't finish it?
- AlejandroAlejandro negó con la cabeza con tristeza.Alejandro shook his head sadly.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cabeza, con, la, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
