How do you say No in Spanish in a polite way? Knowing the different ways to say No in Spanish will help you sound more natural, and add variety to your speech. In this article, we will learn how to say No politely and colloquially. Don’t find yourself in a tricky situation wonder how do you say sorry in Spanish as this might lead you into hot water.
If you’re new to the language and wondering how long does it take to learn Spanish? (hint: it’s faster than you think) then immerse yourself in this article and make strides in your progress by learning how to say No in Spanish. If you’re just starting out on how to learn Spanish and want to become fluent it’s essential to first master conversational Spanish, learning how to say no in Spanish is a great way to start. The following tables will teach you how to say no in Spanish and their translations as well as an audio clip and examples to help you conceptualize your new knowledge moving forward.
How to Say No in Spanish
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| No puede ser | It can’t be |
| Nop | Nope |
| No gracias | No, thanks |
| Claro que no | Of course not |
| Obvio que no | Obviously not |
| Nada de esto | None of this |
| Por supuesto que no | Of course not |
| Ni se te ocurra | Do not even think about it |
| Ni en tus sueños | Not even in your dreams |
| Ni lo pienses | Do not even think about it |
| Ni hablar | No way |
| No me digas | Do not tell me |
| Ni de broma | No kidding |
| Ya quisiera | I wish |
| Ya basta | Stop |
| De ninguna manera | No way |
| No me da la gana | I do not want to |
| ¿Estás loco o qué? | Are you crazy or what? |
| ¡Qué va! | No way! |
| Bajo ningún concepto | Not at all |
| No está el horno para bollos | This is the wrong moment |
| Para nada | No way |
| No, mi disculpas | No, my apologies |
| Jamás | Never |
Say No in a Polite Way
No puede ser – It can’t be
Use it when you think something is unbelievable.
- Spanish example: No puede ser el mismo producto: las etiquetas son diferentes.
- Translation: It can’t be the same product – the labels are different.
No gracias – No thank you
This is a polite form of the English version of no thanks/no thank you
- Spanish example: ¿Le apetece más vino, señora? – No, gracias.
- Translation: Would you like some more wine, ma’am? – No, thank you.
Claro que no – Of course not
This is a neutral, polite way to say “no” in Spanish if you want to deny something.
- Spanish example: Tú no te llevaste mis llaves, ¿verdad? – Claro que no.
- Translation: You didn’t take my keys, did you? – Of course not.
Por supuesto que no – Of course not
This is a stronger way to deny something. Imagine saying it with a slightly indignant tone.
- Spanish example: ¿Lo hiciste? – ¡Por supuesto que no! ¿Quién crees que soy?
- Translation: You did it? – Of course not! Who do you think I am?
Ya basta – Enough already
Ya basta, itself is formal but in some cases depends on the tone and manner in which it is said, if you say it with an appropriate voice tone it is formal
- Spanish example: Ya basta. Dejen de pelearse.
- Translation: Enough already. Stop fighting.
De ninguna manera – No way
This is also a bit more formal expression, but your mother could perfectly deny you something using it.
- Spanish example: ¿Vas a la reunión con los compañeros del trabajo? – De ninguna manera. No es obligatorio.
- Translation: Are you going to the meeting with your work colleagues? – No way. It’s not obligatory.
Bajo ningún concepto – By no means
This is a strong and formal way to turn something down or deny something.
- Spanish example: ¿Puedes prestarme mil pesos? – Bajo ningún concepto. Nunca pagas tus deudas.
- Translation: Can you lend me a thousand pesos? – By no means. You never pay your debts.
No está el horno para bollos – This is the wrong moment
This expression means that it’s not a good moment to do something and we should wait a bit for a more favourable situation
- Spanish example: ¿Vamos a pedirle a Pedro que nos preste su coche? – Hoy mejor no. No está el horno para bollos, acaba de romper con su novia.
- Translation: Let’s ask Pedro to lend us his car. – Better not today. This is the wrong moment, he just broke up with his girlfriend.
Para nada – Not at all
Here’s another way to deny something. Use it in both informal and formal situations.
- Spanish example: ¿Te gusta la pintura? – Para nada
- Translation: Do you like the painting? – Not at all.
No, mi disculpas – no, my apologies
You can use this phrase to acknowledge there has been a fault
- Spanish example: ¿sacaste la basura? – No, mi disculpas lo haré ahora
- Translation: did you take out the trash? – No, my apologise I will do it now
Jamás – Never
This is a common expression that is said emphatically.
- Spanish example: ¡Jamás de los jamases!
- Translation: never in your life!
Say No in a Casual Way
Nop – Nope
This is a colloquial way of saying the English nope
- Spanish example: ¿Tienes dinero para salir esta noche? – Nop. No tengo ni un centavo.
- Translation: Do you have money to go out tonight? – Nope. I don’t even have a cent.
Obvio que no – Obviously not
This is an informal way to say “no” in Spanish to deny something.
- Spanish example: ¿Te gustan las almejas? – Obvio que no.
- Translation: Do you like clams? – Obviously not.
Nada de esto – No way
This is an expression that Spanish-speaking parents like to use.
- Spanish example: ¡Quiero un helado! ¿Me compras dos helados? – Nada de eso. Los helados tienen demasiado azúcar.
- Translation: I want ice cream! Can you buy me two ice creams? – No way. Ice creams have too much sugar.
Ni se te ocurra – Don’t even think about it
This phrase is informal but still polite and leaves no room for negotiation.
- Spanish example: Podríamos no ir a la última clase y escaparnos a la playa un ratito. – Ni se te ocurra. Tenemos un examen mañana.
- Translation: We could skip the last class and go to the beach for a little while. – Don’t even think about it. We have an exam tomorrow.
Ni en tus sueños – In your dreams
This is an informal, creative, and sarcastic way to deny something and leaves no room for a change of opinion.
- Spanish example: ¿Quieres salir conmigo? – Ni en tus sueños.
- Translation: Do you want to go out with me? – In your dreams.
Ni lo pienses – Don’t even think about it
Use this phrase with your friends to say “no” in a non-offensive but decisive way
- Spanish example: ¿Y sí nos vamos en tu coche? – Ni lo pienses. No quiero manejar todo el día.
- Translation: And if we go in your car? – Don’t even think about it. I don’t want to drive all day.
Ni hablar – No way
If you hear this phrase, there’s no space for negotiation.
- Spanish example: ¿Te gustan las arañas? – Ni hablar. ¡Tengo muchísimo miedo de las arañas!
- Translation: Do you like spiders? – No way. I’m very scared of spiders!
No me digas – Don’t tell me
This phrase is used as an exclamation of incredulity
- Spanish example: ¿Qué quieres decir con que hoy no puedes ir a visitar a la abuela? – No me digas que no lo sabías, porque te avisé con tiempo.
- Translation: What do you mean you can’t visit Grandma today? – Don’t tell me you didn’t know, because I told you well in advance.
Ni de broma – No way
Another colloquial expression, this is a synonym of para nada. It literally translates to “not even as a joke.”
- Spanish example: ¿Me puedes llevarme hasta la fiesta en Madrid? – Ni de broma, tengo que estudiar.
- Translation: Can you take me to the party in Madrid? – No way, I have to study.
Ya quisiera – I wish
This is a lovely, colloquial, and indirect way to say “no” in Spanish.
- Spanish example: ¿Dormiste la siesta? – Ya quisiera.
- Translation: Did you take a nap? – I wish.
No me da la gana – I don’t feel like it
This is an informal and frank way to say “no” in Spanish.
- Spanish example: ¿Por qué no te cortas el pelo? – Porque no me da la gana.
- Translation: Why don’t you have your hair cut? – Because I don’t feel like it.
¿Estás loco o qué? – Are you crazy or what?
This informal phrase is a blunt way to deny something without explicitly saying “no” in Spanish.
- Spanish example: ¿Puedes cuidar de mi casa mientras me voy de vacaciones? – ¿Estás loco o qué? Tengo mi propia vida.
- Translation: Can you take care of my house while I go on vacation? – Are you crazy or what? I have my own life.
¡Qué va! – No way
Want to say ‘no’ in Spanish in a colloquial way? Say ¡qué va!
- Spanish example: ¿Tu equipo de fútbol favorito es el Real Madrid? – Qué va! A mí me gusta el Barça.
- Translation: Is your favourite football team Real Madrid? – No way! I like Barcelona.
What about Yes in Spanish?
Por supuesto – Of course
it is quite common to make clear something is sure, and most of the times obvious
Está bien – All right
This is used to express agreement or acceptance in a formal and polite manner.
Síp – Yep
Síp can be used to express joy. It has more feeling and emotion than ‘sí.’ it is informal and to be used with friends
Simón – Of course
This term is colloquial and shold be used when talking to friends
¡Claro! – Of course
You can use this to make it more of a statement, when something is clear in Spanish is an affirmative way to say of course
Dale – Okay!
The literal translation is “hit it”, and we use it to agree with someone and show encouragement
You can use Claro que no as Of course not, Ya basta to say Enough already or De ninguna manera as No way.
You can say Nop as Nope or Nada de esto as No way!
Don’t Say No to Your Spanish Lessons!
Well done! You’ve now learned an important part of Spanish. To carry on your journey it is crucial to learn conversational Spanish and to put into practice your new lesson, the best and most efficient way to do this is by considering Spanish tutors to guide you in the right direction and give you the ability to practice with professional, fluent teachers.
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