no + Verb
Basic Negation
To make a sentence negative in Spanish, simply place the word 'no' directly before the main verb.
How It Works
Forming negative sentences is one of the simplest and most fundamental concepts in Spanish grammar.
The Golden Rule: Always place no directly before the conjugated verb.
Let's compare with English:
- Affirmative: Yo hablo. (I speak.)
- Negative: Yo no hablo. (I do not speak.)
Notice that Spanish doesn't need a helper verb like 'do'. The word 'no' does all the work. This rule applies to all verbs and tenses.
Answering Questions Negatively
When answering a 'yes/no' question negatively, you'll often use 'no' twice. The first 'no' answers the question, and the second 'no' negates the verb.
- ¿Hablas español? (Do you speak Spanish?)
- No, no hablo español. (No, I do not speak Spanish.)
This basic structure is the foundation for all negation. This rule works with any verb, including common ones like 'ser' (to be), 'tener' (to have), and 'estar' (to be).
Examples (4)
- Yo no hablo inglés.
I don't speak English.
Word by Word: I no speak English.
- Él no es mi hermano.
He is not my brother.
Word by Word: He no is my brother.
- ¿Tienes hambre? No, no tengo hambre.
Are you hungry? No, I'm not hungry.
Word by Word: Have you hunger? No, no I have hunger.
- Ellos no viven en Madrid.
They don't live in Madrid.
Word by Word: They no live in Madrid.
Common Mistakes
Placing 'no' after the verb
Yo como no carne.Yo no como carne.In Spanish, the negative word 'no' goes before the verb, together with any pronouns that come before it (no lo como). It does not go after the verb.
Using an English-style helper verb like 'do'
Yo no hago hablar español.Yo no hablo español.Spanish does not use auxiliary verbs like 'do' or 'does' for negation. Simply placing 'no' before the main verb is sufficient.
How It Connects
Related Patterns
- yo/tú/él/ella/ustedSubject Pronouns (Singular)
These are the subjects that perform the action you are negating. Understanding who is doing the action is essential for forming a complete negative sentence.
Foundations - soy/eres/es/somos/sonSer Present Tense
Ser is a fundamental verb. Understanding its uses is key to forming negative statements like 'no es' (it is not).
Foundations - qué/quién/cuál/cómo/dónde/cuándo/por quéQuestion Words
Negation is a common way to answer questions. This pattern shows how to form the questions that you might answer with 'no'.
Foundations - y/o/pero/porqueBasic Conjunctions
Conjunctions like 'pero' (but) are frequently used to connect a negative statement with a positive one (e.g., 'I don't speak Spanish, but I speak French').
Foundations
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
- no creo que + SubjunctiveSubjunctive with DisbeliefLevel 3
- no hables/no comas/no escribasNegative Tú CommandsLevel 3
- no hablés/no comás/no vengásNegative Vos CommandsLevel 3
- como no vengas.../como no me lo digas...Warning ExamplesLevel 5
- ni siquieraNot EvenLevel 5
- no solo...sino tambiénNot Only...But AlsoLevel 5
- sin embargo/no obstanteHowever/NeverthelessLevel 5
- ya no/todavía no/aún noTemporal NegationLevel 5
Words in This Pattern
Practice no + Verb in Bubblegum
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