What does it mean word for word?
The phrase eso no tiene sentido breaks down into eso (that), no (not), tiene (has) and sentido (sense/meaning).
Which one should you use?
No es lógico means "It's not logical", while No resulta coherente is used specifically when something is inconsistent or lacks coherence. For more informal situations, you can use No tiene pies ni cabeza, which literally means "It doesn't have feet or a head" or Es un disparate to mean "It's nonsense" or "It's absurd".
How does it change in a sentence?
When expressing that something "makes sense" in Spanish, you must use the verb tener (to have) instead of the verb hacer (to make).
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying eso no hace sentido. This is a common error made by English speakers who translate the word "make" literally. Instead, use the correct idiomatic form eso no tiene sentido.
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the word sentido describes both the logical meaning of a sentence and the physical directions of a street or a path.
- Spanish speakers use the verb tener for sense, which is the same verb used for hunger tener hambre and cold tener frío.
- In Spanish, the word sentido is used for both 'meaning' and the physical 'senses' like sight and smell.
Examples in context
- Eso no tiene sentido.That doesn't make sense.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase eso no tiene sentido.Tatoeba #940060 by Shishir, translation #1569130 by Spamster
- El argumento presentado en ese informe no tiene sentido.The argument presented in that report doesn't make sense.
- Lo que está diciendo no tiene pies ni cabeza.What you're saying doesn't make any sense.
- Lo que me estás contando es un disparate total.What you're telling me is complete nonsense.
- La explicación del profesor es ilógica de cabo a rabo.The teacher's explanation is illogical from start to finish.
- Esa idea no tiene chiste, no le encuentro el sentido.That idea doesn't make sense, I can't find any meaning in it.
- Lo que dices, eso no tiene sentido.What you are saying, that doesn't make sense.
- Para mí, eso no tiene sentido.To me, that doesn't make sense.
Example conversation
Javier and Lucía are discussing a confusing movie plot.
- JavierNo entiendo el final de la película.I don't understand the end of the movie.
- LucíaEs que eso no tiene sentido.It's just that that doesn't make sense.
- JavierExacto, la historia es muy confusa.Exactly, the story is very confusing.
- LucíaTienes razón, Javier.You are right, Javier.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
