español · A2 · grammar · 4 minutes
Negative words
Let Spanish negative words reinforce one another in the right positions.
Understand the choice
Spanish negative words cooperate rather than cancel one another. Their position determines whether no is required: a negative word after the verb normally joins no, while a negative subject before the verb can stand alone.
Core rule: Spanish permits negative agreement: a negative word after the verb normally appears with no before the verb.
Notice it in context
No veo a nadie y nunca salgo tarde.
I do not see anyone and I never go out late.
Spanish permits negative agreement: a negative word after the verb normally appears with no before the verb.
No tengo nada aquí.
I have nothing here.
No and nada work together.
Nadie sabe la respuesta.
Nobody knows the answer.
A negative subject before the verb needs no extra no.
What to remember
- Nada, nadie, nunca, tampoco, and ningún can all participate in negative agreement.
- Ninguno shortens to ningún before a masculine singular noun: no tengo ningún problema.
Common trap: Do not remove no because English avoids a double negative. No veo a nadie is the standard Spanish agreement pattern, not two negatives cancelling each other.