Spanish negations are essential for expressing the opposite of an action or statement. The basic negation is done by placing no before the verb, and other negative words can be combined for more nuanced meanings.
- Negative marker no is placed before the verb for simple negation.
- Additional negative words include nunca (never), nadie (nobody), nada (nothing).
- Negative words often require rearranging the sentence for correct structure.
Simple negation is formed by placing 'no' before the verb.
'nunca', 'nadie', 'nada', and 'no' are common negative words.
Simple Negations
Put 'no' before the verb.
Simple negation in Spanish is accomplished by placing no before the conjugated verb.
| Positive | Negative |
|---|---|
| Yo como. | Yo no como. |
| (I eat.) | (I do not eat.) |
| Positive | Negative |
| ------------------- | --------------------- |
| Ella habla. | Ella no habla. |
| (She speaks.) | (She does not speak.) |
- Place no directly before the verb for negation.
- This applies to all subjects and verb forms.
'no' is used with all verbs for simple negation.
Double Negatives
'No' stays before the verb, and the additional negative word is used after.
Spanish uses double negatives for emphasis, and they are grammatically correct.
| Structure | Example (with double negation) | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| no + [verb] + [neg.] | No veo nada. | I don’t see anything. |
| no + [verb] + [neg.] | No conozco a nadie. | I don’t know anyone. |
- When a negative word like nada (nothing), nadie (nobody), or nunca (never) is used, no remains before the verb.
- Another negative word follows the verb, not a positive one.
Negative words like 'nada', 'nadie', and 'nunca' are used in double negation.
You keep 'no' before the verb and add a negative word after.
Conclusion
Spanish negations use no before the verb for simple negation and incorporate additional negative words for more complex, grammatically correct double negatives.
- no + verb = basic negation (e.g., Yo no como).
- Use double negatives for emphasis (e.g., No veo nada).
Placing 'no' before the verb is the core principle.
'nada', 'nadie', and 'nunca' are common negative words used in negations.
Both negative elements are used together in double negatives.