📝 In Action
Nunca como mariscos.
A1I never eat seafood.
Ella nunca ha viajado en avión.
A2She has never traveled by plane.
No he visto nunca una película tan buena.
B1I have never seen such a good movie.
Nunca jamás te mentiría.
B2I would never, ever lie to you.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'Double Negative' Rule
In Spanish, it's perfect to use 'no' and 'nunca' together. If 'nunca' comes AFTER the action word (verb), you MUST add 'no' before it. Example: 'No voy nunca al gimnasio.'
Placement is Key
If you put 'nunca' BEFORE the action word (verb), you DON'T use 'no'. Example: 'Nunca voy al gimnasio.' Both ways mean the exact same thing!
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting 'no'
Mistake: "Yo como nunca espinacas."
Correction: Correct: 'Yo no como nunca espinacas' or 'Yo nunca como espinacas'. Remember the rule: if 'nunca' comes after the action, you need 'no' before it.
⭐ Usage Tips
For Extra Emphasis: 'Nunca Jamás'
To say 'never ever' and be really dramatic, you can combine 'nunca' and 'jamás'. For example, '¡Nunca jamás volveré a ese restaurante!' (I will never, ever go back to that restaurant!).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: nunca
Question 1 of 3
Which of these sentences correctly means 'I never read'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'nunca' and 'jamás'?
They both mean 'never' and you can often use them in the same way. 'Jamás' can sometimes feel a little stronger or more formal. The most common difference is using them together as 'nunca jamás' to mean 'never, ever!'
Why does Spanish use 'no' and 'nunca' together? Isn't that a double negative?
Yes, it is! But unlike in English where double negatives are often considered incorrect, in Spanish they are perfectly normal and required for grammar. It doesn't cancel out the negative; it actually reinforces it. Think of it as adding emphasis: 'I do NOT, EVER, go.'
Can 'nunca' be used to answer a question by itself?
Absolutely. If someone asks '¿Vas al gimnasio?' (Do you go to the gym?), you can simply reply 'Nunca' (Never).