Inklingo

How to Say "not any" in Spanish

English → Spanish

ningún

AdjectiveA1General
Use 'ningún' before a singular masculine noun when it directly follows the verb 'to be' or another linking verb and negates the existence of something.

Examples

No tengo ningún coche.

I don't have any car.

ninguno

/neen-GOO-no//ninˈɡuno/

AdjectiveA2General
Use 'ninguno' before a singular masculine noun when it directly follows the verb 'to be' or another linking verb and negates the existence of something.
An illustration of a wide-open, empty toy box sitting on the floor of a colorful room, symbolizing the absence of any item.

Examples

No hay ninguno.

There isn't any.

No tengo ningún problema.

I don't have any problem.

Ninguna persona vino a la fiesta.

No person came to the party.

No hay ninguna razón para estar triste.

There is no reason to be sad.

The "Double Negative" Rule

In Spanish, it's correct and often required to use 'no' before the verb and 'ninguno' after it. Think of it as reinforcing the 'no'. For example: 'No tengo ningún libro' means 'I don't have any book'.

Meet 'Ningún'

When 'ninguno' comes right before a masculine noun (a word like 'chico' or 'libro'), it shortens to 'ningún'. Example: 'ningún amigo' (no friend), not 'ninguno amigo'.

Meet 'Ninguna'

When talking about feminine nouns (words like 'chica' or 'casa'), use 'ninguna'. It never shortens. Example: 'ninguna casa' (no house).

Forgetting the 'no'

Mistake: “Tengo ningún problema.”

Correction: NO tengo ningún problema. In Spanish, if you use a negative word like 'ninguno' after the verb, you almost always need to put 'no' before the verb too.

Using 'ninguno' for 'ningún'

Mistake: “No hay ninguno coche aquí.”

Correction: No hay ningún coche aquí. Before a masculine noun, 'ninguno' always shortens to 'ningún'.

Using the Plural Form

Mistake: “No tengo ningunos amigos.”

Correction: No tengo ningún amigo. 'Ninguno' is almost always used with a singular noun, even when English might use a plural. It's like saying 'not one single friend'.

Singular Masculine Noun Agreement

The most common mistake is forgetting that both 'ningún' and 'ninguno' are used with singular masculine nouns. 'Ningún' is used before the noun, while 'ninguno' typically follows the verb or is used alone. Ensure the noun agrees in gender and number.

Related Translations

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