algo / nada
Something and Nothing
Algo means something (or anything in questions) and nada means nothing. They refer to things, not people, and never change: Queres algo? Non quero nada.
How It Works
Algo: something, anything
Pasou algo? (Did something happen?), Queres algo de beber? (Do you want something to drink?). Add de + noun for "some": algo de diñeiro (some money).
Nada: nothing
Non quero nada (I don't want anything), Nada é imposible (nothing is impossible). As a one-word answer: Que fas? Nada. Common phrases: de nada (you're welcome), non pasa nada (it doesn't matter).
In negative sentences use nada, not algo
"I don't want anything" is Non quero nada. If nada follows the verb, non goes before the verb; if nada comes first, non is left out. See double negation.
With adjectives
Algo means "a bit, rather": Estou algo cansa (I'm a bit tired). Nada means "not at all" in a negative sentence: Non é nada caro (it isn't expensive at all).
No contraction
Unlike algún, algo does not join with a preposition in writing: de algo, en algo.
For people, use alguén and ninguén instead.
Examples (6)
- Queres algo de beber?
Would you like something to drink?
Word by Word: You-want something of drink?
- Non quero nada, grazas.
I don't want anything, thanks.
Nada comes after the verb, so non is needed.
- Pasou algo? Non, non pasa nada.
Did something happen? No, it's nothing.
Non pasa nada is a very common way to say it is fine.
- Nada é imposible.
Nothing is impossible.
Nada comes first, so there is no non.
- Hoxe estou algo cansa.
I'm a bit tired today.
Algo before an adjective means a bit.
- Este restaurante non é nada caro.
This restaurant is not expensive at all.
Common Mistakes
Leaving out non when nada follows the verb.
Quero nada.Non quero nada.A negative word after the verb needs non before the verb.
Using algo in a negative sentence.
Non comín algo en todo o día.Non comín nada en todo o día.In a negative sentence, "anything" is nada.
Contracting de with algo.
Falamos dalgo importante.Falamos de algo importante.Algún contracts with de (dalgún), but algo does not: write de algo.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Algo and nada refer to an unspecified thing or to no thing.
Related Patterns
- algún / ningún / alguén / ninguénSome, No, Someone and No One
The matching words for people and for nouns: someone, no one, some, no.
Level 2 - Double Negation
Why Non quero nada needs both non and nada.
Level 2 - The Preposition de
De links algo to a noun: algo de diñeiro.
Level 1 - pouco / demasiado / bastante / variosQuantity Words: Pouco, Demasiado and Bastante
Other quantity words, which can also modify adjectives.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice algo / nada in Bubblegum
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