jamás
“jamás” means “never” in Spanish (general use).
never
Also: never ever, not ever
📝 In Action
Jamás he visto una película tan buena.
A2I have never seen such a good movie.
No te olvidaré jamás.
B1I will never forget you.
¿Has probado el helado de aguacate? — Jamás, ¡qué raro!
A2Have you tried avocado ice cream? — Never, how weird!
Prometo que jamás de los jamases volveré a llegar tarde.
B2I promise that I will never, ever be late again.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: jamás
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
📚 More Resources
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Old Spanish phrase 'iam magis', which literally meant 'now more' or 'ever more'. Over time, its meaning flipped to the negative, becoming the emphatic 'never' we use today.
First recorded: c. 1200s
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the real difference between 'nunca' and 'jamás'?
They are very similar and often interchangeable. The main difference is intensity. 'Jamás' is stronger and more emotional than 'nunca'. Think of 'nunca' as 'never' and 'jamás' as 'never ever'.
Do I always need to use 'no' with 'jamás'?
No. You only need 'no' if 'jamás' comes *after* the main verb (e.g., 'No como jamás espinacas'). If you put 'jamás' at the beginning of the sentence, you don't use 'no' (e.g., 'Jamás como espinacas').
Can 'jamás' mean 'ever'?
Rarely. In some very specific, often literary or formal questions, it can imply 'ever'. For example, '¿Ha visto jamás cosa igual?' (Have you ever seen such a thing?). However, for learners, it's best and safest to always think of 'jamás' as meaning 'never'.