Inklingo
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niego

/NYEH-go/

I deny

A young person shaking their head 'no' with a firm expression and one hand raised in a stopping gesture, clearly indicating denial.

Niego: I deny. The character firmly rejects the statement.

niego(verb)

A2irregular ar

I deny

?

stating something is not true

Also:

I contradict

?

challenging a statement

📝 In Action

Yo niego categóricamente esa acusación.

B1

I categorically deny that accusation.

¿Dices que lo hice? ¡No, yo lo niego!

A2

You say I did it? No, I deny it!

Niego tener conocimiento de ese plan.

B2

I deny having knowledge of that plan.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • desmentir (to disprove)
  • refutar (to refute)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • niego la verdad – I deny the truth
  • niego todo – I deny everything

💡 Grammar Points

The 'Yo' Form

This word, 'niego,' is only used when the subject is 'I' (yo). It means 'I deny' or 'I am denying' right now.

Verb Chain

When 'negar' is followed by another verb, that second verb usually goes in the infinitive (the base form): 'Niego haber robado' (I deny having stolen).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using the wrong stem

Mistake: "Yo nego la culpa."

Correction: Yo niego la culpa. (Remember, the 'e' changes to 'ie' in the present tense for 'yo, tú, él, ellos'.)

⭐ Usage Tips

Formal Tone

Using 'niego' is a strong, formal way to dispute something. For softer disagreement, use 'No estoy de acuerdo' (I don't agree).

A character holding a large, shiny key while standing in front of a heavy, closed wooden door. They are holding out a hand to signal 'stop' to another character, refusing to grant entry.

Niego: I refuse (to grant). The character refuses access by signaling 'stop'.

niego(verb)

B1irregular ar

I refuse

?

to not grant something

Also:

I withhold

?

keeping something back

📝 In Action

Niego la entrada a cualquiera sin una invitación.

B1

I refuse entry to anyone without an invitation.

Si me pides dinero, te lo niego.

A2

If you ask me for money, I refuse (to give it to) you.

Niego mi apoyo a ese candidato.

B2

I withhold my support from that candidate.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • rehusar (to refuse)
  • denegar (to deny (formally))

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • niego el permiso – I refuse permission
  • niego la solicitud – I deny the request

💡 Grammar Points

Using Reflexively (Negarse)

The verb is often used with 'me' (negarse a) when you mean 'I refuse to do something': 'Me niego a trabajar más' (I refuse to work more).

⭐ Usage Tips

Refusing People vs. Things

When refusing a person (like entry to a club), Spanish requires the preposition 'a': 'Niego la entrada a la gente'.

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/ustedniega
yoniego
túniegas
ellos/ellas/ustedesniegan
nosotrosnegamos
vosotrosnegáis

imperfect

él/ella/ustednegaba
yonegaba
túnegabas
ellos/ellas/ustedesnegaban
nosotrosnegábamos
vosotrosnegabais

preterite

él/ella/ustednegó
yonegué
túnegaste
ellos/ellas/ustedesnegaron
nosotrosnegamos
vosotrosnegasteis

subjunctive

present

él/ella/ustedniegue
yoniegue
túniegues
ellos/ellas/ustedesnieguen
nosotrosneguemos
vosotrosneguéis

imperfect

él/ella/ustednegara/negase
yonegara/negase
túnegaras/negases
ellos/ellas/ustedesnegaran/negasen
nosotrosnegáramos/negásemos
vosotrosnegarais/negaseis
View All Tenses & Moods →

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: niego

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'niego' to mean 'I refuse'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

negar(to deny / to refuse) - verb
negación(denial / refusal) - noun
negativo(negative) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'niego' the same as 'no quiero' (I don't want)?

Not exactly. 'No quiero' is a simple statement of desire. 'Niego' is a strong verb meaning 'I deny (a fact)' or 'I actively refuse (a request or permission).' It is much stronger than just saying 'no'.

How do I say 'I denied' in the past?

You would use the preterite form: 'negué'. For example, 'Yo negué que fui allí' (I denied that I went there).