Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| no | /ˈno/ |
| no pues | /no pwes/ (from spelling rules) |
The word no means both "no" and "not" in Spanish. It is used to show disagreement or negation.
Which one should you use?
In English, "no" is used as a standalone response while "not" is the particle used to negate a verb. In Spanish, no functions as both the standalone response and the particle used to negate a verb.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
As a negative particle, no is placed before verbs to negate them, similar to how "not" is used in English.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈno/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use no to negate nouns, such as saying no libros for "no books". Depending on the context of the sentence structure, you should use ningún or ninguna instead.
When do people say it?
The colloquial phrase no pues can be used to express disbelief, resignation or to start a sentence with a sense of "well, then".
Did you know?
- In many Spanish speaking cultures, people may say no but still intend for the answer to be 'yes' depending on the social context and tone. This polite indirectness allows the speaker to avoid appearing rude or confrontational.
- In some contexts, the word no is actually a shortened version of the Latin word 'numero', which means 'number'.
- A common way to ask for confirmation is to add ¿no? to the end of a statement, acting like a tag question. This is similar to adding 'right?' or 'isn't it?' in English.
Examples in context
- No, aún no sé.No, I still don't know.This sentence shows how to use no as a response.Tatoeba #1502230 by marcelostockle, translation #9966252 by DJ_Saidez
- Esto y no más.This and no more.This sentence uses no to indicate a limit or amount.Tatoeba #2268897 by cueyayotl, translation #2268896 by _undertoad
- Yo ya dije no.I already said no.This sentence demonstrates using no as the object of a verb.Tatoeba #4563333 by ecorralest101, translation #4562444 by Hybrid
- No, graciasNo, thank you
- No, gracias, ya tengo unoNo, thanks, I already have one
- 3432 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Elena are deciding what to eat for dinner.
- Mateo¿Quieres comer pizza hoy, Elena?Do you want to eat pizza today, Elena?
- ElenaNo, prefiero comer una ensalada.No, I prefer to eat a salad.
- Mateo¿Entonces vamos al restaurante vegetariano?So, shall we go to the vegetarian restaurant?
- ElenaSí, esa es una buena idea.Yes, that is a good idea.
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.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries no, pues, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
