NegativesOther negative phrases

There are a number of negative expressions that work with no:

• nada (nothing)
• nadie (nobody, no one)
• ningún/ninguno/a (no, none, not one, not any)
• tampoco (neither, not either)
• ni ... ni (neither ... nor)

These negative words can be used in two different ways:

1. Place no in front of the verb and the negative word after it. For example:

• No hay nadie en la fiesta (There's no one at the party).
• María no trabaja nunca los sábados (María never works on Saturdays).
• No quiero ni fruta ni verduras (I don't want either fruit or vegetables).
• No hay ningún problema (There are no problems).

2. Place the negative word in front of the verb and drop the no. For example:

• Nadie fue a la fiesta (Nobody went to the party).
• Nada va a pasar (Nothing is going to happen).
• Tampoco tengo un hermano (I don't have a brother either).
• Nunca hago ejercicio (I never do exercise).

Jamás is a more forceful way of saying never, eg jamás lo haré (I will never ever do it).

Sino

Pero means but in Spanish, but it isn't the only word that is used.

Sino is used to mean but rather or but on the other hand (ie instead), eg no voy al restaurante, sino que ceno en casa (I'm not going to the restaurant, instead I'm having dinner at home).

As you can see in the sentence above, when using a verb after sino you also have to add que:

... sino que+ verb

Here is another example: No canto sino que toco la guitarra.

Sino is often seen in the structure no sólo ... sino también ... (not only ... but also ...), eg No sólo es muy elegante, sino también caro (It's not only stylish but also expensive).

Sometimes in English but is used to mean except. For example: No one but Nadia remained in the room. This isn't the case in Spanish, as menos/excepto/salvo are used to mean except, eg todos tenían sed excepto Nuria (everyone was thirsty except Nuria).