No in Spanish

The Spanish word no (pronounced no) is the most common way to express negation, being used to deny, refuse, reject or decline something. However, it is by no means the only way to do so, with many different combinations and phrases existing in Spanish depending on the setting.

The 25 most common ways to say no in Spanish are:

1. No (No)

Just like in English, the Spanish word no can be used in multiple contexts. However, as a standalone expression it may sound too blunt and dry. To avoid sounding categoric, it is typically followed up by some explanatory comment:

—¿Vas al club hoy?
Are you going to the club today?
—No. Estoy muy cansado.
No. I’m too tired.

2. No, gracias (No, thanks)

This is among the most common expressions in Spanish to refuse a favor or decline an offer in a casual way. Though it makes a good standalone phrase, it may be followed up by an explanation for politeness:

—¿Quieres más postre?
Would you like some more dessert?
—No, gracias.
No, thanks.

3. Perdón, pero no (Sorry, but no)

This straightforward yet friendly expression is a nice way of denying permission to do something or turn down an offer. It is used in all settings in which the speaker feels they need to excuse themselves for saying no. A synonymous expression is lo siento, pero no.

—¿Voy contigo?
Can I come with you?
—Perdón, pero no. Quiero ir solo.
Sorry, but no. I want to go alone.

4. Para nada (Not at all)

This emphatic expression is used to firmly deny something and give more force to a negative response. It is translated as “absolutely not” or “not at all”. Besides denial, it serves as a response to ¿te molesta si…? (Do you mind if I…?)

—¿Estás molesto?
Are you upset?
—Para nada.
Not at all.

5. En absoluto (Not at all)

This very formal expression is used to deny something categorically and show there is no room for doubt. It may translate as “not at all” or “absolutely not”.

—¿Estás arrepentido de lo que has hecho?
Are you sorry for what you’ve done?
—En absoluto. Lo volvería a hacer.
Absolutely not. I would do it again.

6. De ninguna manera (Absolutely not)

Another categorical phrase expressing denial, it may also be used to refuse somebody permission to do something. It leaves no room for negotiation or further discussion.

—¿Puedo faltar a la escuela hoy?
Can I skip school today?
—De ninguna manera. Tienes un examen.
Absolutely not. You have a test.

7. Bajo ningún concepto (Under no circumstances)

This very formal expression is among the most forceful and firm ways to reject a proposal or idea. It is also used to make a prohibition sound more powerful.

—¿Se puede omitir esta cláusula en el contrato?
Can this clause be omitted from the contract?
—Bajo ningún concepto. Es obligatoria.
Under no circumstances. It is mandatory.

8. Por supuesto que no (Of course not)

This firm phrase is used to strongly deny or reject an idea or suggestion. It is the equivalent of an emphatic no, making it clear that the answer is definite.

—¿Fuiste tú el que llamó y cortó?
Was it you that called and hung up?
—¡Por supuesto que no!
Of course not!

9. Claro que no (Of course not)

Though somewhat milder in tone, it is equivalent in meaning to por supuesto que no, conveying clear and strong denial.

—¿Ya te vas de la fiesta?
Are you already leaving the party?
—Claro que no, voy a buscar un trago.
Of course not. I’m going to get a drink.

10. Obvio que no (Obviously not)

It conveys outright denial. While having the same meaning as claro que no, this expression sounds somewhat more informal, direct and conceited in tone, as it openly expresses that the listener’s suggestion, idea or statement is “obvious”. It should therefore be reserved for more casual settings to avoid being out of place.

—¿Pensabas que él iba a venir?
Did you think he was going to come?
—Obvio que no. Lo conozco bien.
Of course not. I know him well.

11. Me encantaría, pero no (I’d love to, but no)

This phrase is used to politely decline an invitation while showing enthusiasm and interest. It is usually followed up by the word gracias, meaning “thank you”.

—¿Quieres salir a caminar conmigo?
Do you want to go for a walk with me?
—Me encantaría, pero no; tengo que estudiar. La próxima.
I would love to, but no; I have to study. Next time.

12. Paso (I think I’ll pass)

A cool and laid-back expression for declining an invitation or offer:

—¿Vienes con nosotros al parque?
Are you coming to the park with us?
—Paso. Tengo que estudiar.
I think I’ll pass. I have to study.

13. Mejor no (I’d rather not, I’d rather you didn’t)

This is a kind and indirect phrase expressing that it is not a good idea to do something while avoiding sounding blunt and sharp. It may also be used as a sweet way of denying permission, in which case it is translated as I’d rather you didn’t.

—¿Tomamos ese camino?
Should we take that road?
—Mejor no. Parece peligroso.
I’d rather not. It looks dangerous.

14. Ni lo pienses (Don’t even think about it)

This is a decisive way to discourage someone from doing something. The adverb ni (“not even”) intensifies the negation, adding emphasis to the expression:

—¿Invito a Pedro?
Should I invite Pedro?
—Ni lo pienses. Él odia las fiestas.
Don’t even think about it. He hates parties.

15. Ni se te ocurra (Don’t even think about it)

This strong-sounding expression is said to forcefully warn someone against doing something. It may also be translated as “don’t you dare”.

—Voy a sacar dinero del cajón de papá.
I'm going to take money from Dad's drawer.
—Ni se te ocurra. Se va a enfadar.
Don't even think about it. He’s going to get angry.

16. Ni te atrevas (Don’t you dare)

This forceful expression is equivalent in meaning and tone to ni se te ocurra, and is used to firmly and emphatically prevent someone from doing something:

—Le voy a contar a mamá lo que hiciste.
I'm going to tell Mom what you did.
—Ni te atrevas. Si lo haces, le contaré lo que me dijiste.
Don't you dare. If you do, I'll tell her what you said to me.

17. No se habla más (That’s the end of it)

Typical among parents, this forceful expression means the speaker is not willing to discuss the situation further, and that no should be taken as the final answer. It sounds authoritative:

—¿Puedo ir solo, papá?
Can I go alone, Dad?
—No se habla más. He dicho que no vas y no irás.
That’s the end of it. I said you're not going, and you're not going.

18. No y punto (No, and that’s final)

This energetic expression conveys that the speaker will not give any reasons for saying no and will not discuss the matter further. It sounds capricious and rude:

—¿Por qué no me compras ese juguete?
Why won’t you buy me that toy?
—Porque no, y punto.
Just because, and that’s final.

Slang ways to say no in Spanish

Certain phrases are reserved for very informal settings, being part of Spanish slang:

19. Nop (Nope)

Nop is an anglicism, derived from the English nope. It is a casual, laid-back expression used in informal contexts:

—¿Te ayudo con esas cajas?
Do I help you with those boxes?
—Nop. Gracias. Puedo sola.
Nope.Thanks. I can handle it.

20. Nah (Nah)

The anglicism nah is a colloquial, casual and relaxed way of saying no. It expresses incredulity, disdain, contempt or indifference.

—¿Preparo la cena?
Should I make dinner?
—Nah, mejor pedimos algo.
Nah, let's just order food instead.

The word nel is used in Mexico with the same meaning.

21. Ni loco (Never in a million years)

It is used to express that the speaker would not do something because they deem it dangerous, absurd, or unreasonable. For a female speaker, the expression is ni loca.

—¿Te tirarías en parapente?
Would you go paragliding?
—¡Ni loco! No quiero morir joven.
Never in a million years! I don’t want to die young.

22. Ni en sueños (Not in my wildest dreams)

This expression is used for emphatically opposing an imaginary situation. It is a more emphatic version of ni loco. A related expression with the same meaning is ni soñando.

—¿Te casarías con él?
Would you marry him?
—Ni en sueños. No lo amo.
Not in my wildest dreams. I don’t love him.

23. Sobre mi cadáver (Over my dead body)

It categorically expresses vehement opposition, meaning that under no circumstances will the speaker allow something to happen:

—¿Tu marido va a vender la colección de arte?
Is your husband going to sell the art collection?
—Sobre mi cadáver. Jamás permitiría que lo hiciera.
Over my dead body. I would never allow him to do that.

24. Antes muerto (I’d rather die)

This expression conveys that the speaker feels very strongly against doing something suggested by somebody else, or given an imaginary scenario. It is a much stronger version of ni loco. For a female speaker, the expression is antes muerta.

—¿Vas a invitar al jefe a la fiesta?
Are you going to invite the boss to your party?
—Antes muerto.
I’d rather die.

25. ¡Qué va! (No way)

Used to express strong rejection and disagreement, this expression may be translated as “no way” or “nonsense”:

—Juan me dijo que dejarás de trabajar.
Juan told me that you're going to stop working.
—¡Qué va! ¡Si amo mi trabajo!
No way! I love my job!

You may also be interested:

• Common phrases in Spanish
• Have a good day in Spanish
• I’m sorry in Spanish
• How to say Hi in Spanish
• How are you in Spanish
• You’re welcome in Spanish

References

• Oxford Spanish Dictionary, 3rd edition on CD-ROM, Oxford University Press.
• Wordreference.com, accessed September 9, 2024, https://www.wordreference.com/
• Merriam-Webster Dictionary, accessed September 9, 2024, under “never/not in a thousand/million/billion years,” https://www.merriam-webster.com/
• RAE (@RAEinforma), “También es frecuente como respuesta la interjección negativa «nah» (deformación coloquial de «no» con matiz de desdén).”, March 12, 2019, https://x.com/