I can't believe it
in SpanishNo lo puedo creer
/noh loh PWEH-doh kreh-EHR/
This is the most direct and universally understood way to say "I can't believe it." It's a reliable, all-purpose phrase that works in almost any situation, from casual to formal.
That feeling when you get a message so surprising, all you can say is '¡No lo puedo creer!'
💬Other Ways to Say It
No me lo creo
/noh meh loh KREH-oh/
This is a very common alternative that feels a bit more personal, like saying "I'm not buying it" or "I just can't accept that as true for myself." It implies a slightly stronger sense of personal disbelief.
¡No puede ser!
/noh PWEH-deh sehr/
Meaning "It can't be!" or "That's not possible!", this phrase is perfect for expressing shock or dismay, especially in response to negative or unexpected news.
¡Increíble!
/een-kreh-EE-bleh/
A simple and effective one-word exclamation: "Incredible!" or "Unbelievable!" It can be used for both positive and negative surprises.
¿En serio?
/ehn SEH-ree-oh/
This means "Seriously?" or "Really?" It's less of a statement and more of a question seeking confirmation, but it serves the same function of expressing disbelief.
¡No me digas!
/noh meh DEE-gahs/
Literally "Don't tell me!", this is the perfect equivalent of "You don't say!" or "No way!" It's used to react to gossip or surprising news from a friend.
¡Qué fuerte!
/keh FWEHR-teh/
A classic from Spain, this literally means "How strong!" but is used to mean "Wow, that's intense!" or "That's unbelievable!" It's a reaction to something shocking, dramatic, or impressive.
¡No manches!
/noh MAHN-chess/
This is quintessential Mexican slang for "No way!", "You're kidding!", or "Get out of here!" It's incredibly common in informal settings but should be avoided in formal situations.
¡Mentira!
/mehn-TEE-rah/
While it literally means "Lie!", it's often used colloquially to mean "No way!" or "You're lying!" in a playful, disbelieving way. Tone is crucial here to avoid sounding accusatory.
¡Anda ya!
/AHN-dah yah/
Another very Spanish expression, this is like saying "Come on!", "Get out of here!", or "No way!" It expresses skeptical disbelief.
🔑Key Words
Key Words to learn:
📊Quick Comparison
Here's a quick guide to choosing the best phrase for your situation. Notice how formality and region play a big role.
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| No lo puedo creer | Neutral | Never. It's always a good choice. | |
| ¡No puede ser! | Neutral | Reacting to lighthearted, fun gossip where it might sound too dramatic. | |
| ¡No me digas! | Informal | Formal settings or when reacting to very serious, tragic news. | |
| ¡Qué fuerte! | Informal | Outside of Spain (where it's less common) or in professional environments. | |
| ¡No manches! | Very Informal | Any formal setting, with elders, or outside of Mexico. |
📈Difficulty Level
Fairly easy for English speakers. The main challenge is the 'rr' sound in 'creer', which is a soft roll, and making sure to pronounce both 'e's distinctly (kreh-EHR).
The main phrases are fixed expressions, so you don't need to worry about complex grammar rules or conjugations. Just memorize them as a chunk.
The biggest challenge is not the phrase itself, but knowing which of the many variations to use depending on the country, formality of the situation, and your relationship with the person.
Key Challenges:
- Choosing the right regional slang
- Matching your tone and body language to the expression
💡Examples in Action
Gané la lotería. — ¡No lo puedo creer! ¿En serio?
I won the lottery. — I can't believe it! Seriously?
El jefe renunció esta mañana. — ¡No me digas! ¿Y ahora qué?
The boss resigned this morning. — You don't say! And now what?
Lo siento, el vuelo ha sido cancelado. — No puede ser. Tengo una reunión importante.
I'm sorry, the flight has been canceled. — That can't be. I have an important meeting.
Mi amigo se va a casar con su novia de la prepa. — ¡No manches! Llevaban años sin hablarse.
My friend is going to marry his high school girlfriend. — No way! They hadn't spoken in years.
🌍Cultural Context
Expressiveness is Key
In many Spanish-speaking cultures, expressing emotions like surprise is done with more flair than in English. Don't be afraid to use a dramatic tone, wide eyes, and hand gestures when you say "¡No lo puedo creer!". It makes your Spanish sound much more natural and authentic.
The Power of Regional Slang
Phrases like "¡No manches!" (Mexico) or "¡Qué fuerte!" (Spain) are powerful social signals. Using them correctly can make you sound like a local and help you connect with people. However, using them in the wrong country can sound strange or out of place, so it's best to listen and adapt to your surroundings.
Positive vs. Negative Shock
Pay attention to the subtle differences in connotation. While "No lo puedo creer" is neutral, "¡No puede ser!" often leans towards negative shock or dismay. On the other hand, "¡No me digas!" is almost always used for surprising news or gossip in a more lighthearted, conversational way.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing "I can't believe IT" with "I can't believe YOU"
Mistake: "Using "No te puedo creer" when you mean you can't believe the situation."
Correction: Use "No lo puedo creer" for a situation, or one of the other variations like "¿En serio?".
Using Regional Slang Everywhere
Mistake: "Learning "¡No manches!" and then using it in Spain or Argentina."
Correction: Stick to universal phrases like "No lo puedo creer" or "¿En serio?" unless you are sure of the local slang.
Wrong Verb: Ser vs. Estar
Mistake: "Saying "No puede estar" to mean "It can't be.""
Correction: Always use "No puede ser."
💡Pro Tips
Master the Universals First
Before you dive into regional slang, get really comfortable with the all-purpose phrases: "No lo puedo creer," "¡Increíble!," and "¿En serio?". They will be understood and sound natural everywhere you go.
Let Your Tone Do the Talking
The exact same phrase, like "¿En serio?", can mean different things based on your intonation. A rising tone means "Really?!" while a flat, skeptical tone can mean "Oh, really..." Practice saying these phrases with genuine emotion.
Listen for What Locals Use
The best way to learn which variation to use is by listening. When you're watching a movie, listening to music, or talking with native speakers, pay close attention to how they express disbelief. Mimic what you hear to sound more natural.
🗺️Regional Variations
Spain
Spaniards often use expressions that convey a sense of dramatic or skeptical disbelief. Phrases like '¡Qué fuerte!' and '¡Anda ya!' are extremely common in casual conversation and are a hallmark of Peninsular Spanish.
Mexico
'¡No manches!' is the undisputed king of informal disbelief in Mexico. It's used constantly among friends. Its slightly more vulgar cousin is 'No mames'. Another very common expression is '¿Neta?', which is the slang equivalent of '¿En serio?'.
Argentina
Argentinian Spanish is known for its directness and Italian-influenced intonation. Informal expressions can be quite strong, with '¿Me estás jodiendo?' (Are you kidding/f*cking with me?) being very common among friends. The use of 'vos' instead of 'tú' is also standard.
💬What Comes Next?
After you express disbelief with '¡No lo puedo creer!'
Pues créelo.
Well, believe it.
Cuéntame todo, con detalles.
Tell me everything, with details.
You ask '¿En serio?' after hearing surprising news.
Sí, te lo juro.
Yes, I swear.
Estoy en shock.
I'm in shock.
You react to gossip with '¡No me digas!'
¡Como lo oyes!
Just as you hear it!
¿Y qué pasó después?
And what happened next?
🧠Memory Tricks
Connecting the Spanish word 'creer' to the similar-sounding English word 'creed' creates a strong mental link for 'believe'.
🔄How It Differs from English
The biggest difference is the sheer number of common, regionally-specific ways to express disbelief in Spanish. While English has 'No way!', 'Seriously?', and 'You're kidding!', Spanish has those plus a dozen other mainstream options that are tied to national identity. Choosing the right one is a much more important social cue in Spanish.
Spanish expressions of disbelief can sound more direct or dramatic to an English speaker's ear. Exclamations like '¡Mentira!' (Lie!) or '¡Qué fuerte!' (How intense!) are common and not considered rude in the right context, whereas their literal English translations would be quite strong.
False Friends & Common Confusions:
Why it's different: Saying 'No te creo' in Spanish is very direct and can sound accusatory, as if you're calling the person a liar. English 'I don't believe you' can sometimes be a softer way of saying 'I can't believe it'.
Use instead: For general surprise, stick with 'No lo puedo creer' or '¿En serio?'. Only use 'No te creo' if you genuinely think the person is not telling the truth.
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
How to ask for more details
After you express disbelief, the natural next step is to ask for more information.
How to express happiness
Learning to express surprise is great, and adding other emotions like happiness ('¡Qué bueno!') will expand your conversational range.
How to express agreement
Once you've heard the whole story, you'll need to know how to agree or share your opinion on it.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: I can't believe it
Question 1 of 3
You're in Mexico City with friends, and one tells you a wild story. What's the most natural, informal way to say 'No way!'?
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the real difference between 'No lo puedo creer' and 'No me lo creo'?
They're very similar and often interchangeable. 'No lo puedo creer' is a neutral statement of fact: 'I am unable to believe it.' 'No me lo creo' is more personal, like 'I'm not buying it for myself.' In practice, 'No me lo creo' feels slightly more informal and common in everyday speech, especially in Spain.
Is it rude to say '¡No manches!' in Mexico?
It's not rude, but it is very informal. Think of it like saying 'No freakin' way!' in English. You'd say it to friends, but not to your grandma, your boss, or a police officer. It's all about context.
Can I just use '¡Increíble!' for everything?
Yes, '¡Increíble!' is a fantastic, versatile word. You can use it for good things (¡Qué vista tan increíble! - What an incredible view!) and bad things (Es increíble que hayan perdido. - It's unbelievable that they lost.). It's a safe and easy way to express surprise in any country.
When is 'No puede ser' a better choice than 'No lo puedo creer'?
Use 'No puede ser' when something seems impossible or when you're reacting to bad news. It carries a sense of 'This can't be happening.' 'No lo puedo creer' is more general and can be used for good news too, like 'I can't believe I won!'
How do I say 'I can't believe YOU' if I think someone is lying?
In that case, you would say 'No te creo' (I don't believe you). This is much more direct and focuses the disbelief on the person, not just the information. Use it with caution, as it can sound like you're calling them a liar.
Are there formal ways to express disbelief?
In a very formal or professional setting, you might opt for more subdued phrases. You could say 'Estoy sorprendido/a' (I am surprised), 'Eso es difícil de creer' (That is hard to believe), or simply ask for confirmation politely: '¿Está seguro/a?' (Are you sure?).
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