Negative Words and Double Negation

Kurz erklärt

In Spanish, two negative words in the same sentence usually reinforce one negative meaning; they do not cancel each other out. Words such as nada, nadie, nunca, tampoco, and ningún can combine with no. Their position determines whether no is needed.

Bildung

Negative word after the verb: no + verb + negative word. Negative word before the verb: negative word + verb, without no.

Verwendung

• Use no before the verb when the other negative word comes later: No veo nada.
• Do not add no when nadie, nada, nunca, or a similar negative word comes before the verb: Nadie llamó.
• Use tampoco to add a negative idea meaning ‘neither’ or ‘not either’.
• Use ningún before a masculine singular noun and ninguna before a feminine singular noun.

Beispiele

• No conozco a nadie aquí. — I don’t know anyone here.
• Nunca compro nada en esa tienda. — I never buy anything in that store.
• Nadie llegó tarde. — Nobody arrived late.
• Ella no quiere café y yo tampoco. — She doesn’t want coffee, and neither do I.

Typischer Fehler

❌ Veo nada.

✅ No veo nada.

When nada follows the verb, Spanish requires no before the verb. Unlike standard English, this combination expresses one negative meaning.

Merke

A negative word after the verb normally needs no before the verb. If the negative word comes first, do not add no.