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How to Say "nothing" in Spanish

English → Spanish

nada

NAH-dahˈnaða

pronounA1general
Use 'nada' as the general, all-purpose translation for 'nothing' when it refers to the absence of anything or a lack of response.
An empty open wooden box, representing the concept of 'nothing'.

Examples

¿Qué quieres comer? —Nada, gracias.

What do you want to eat? —Nothing, thank you.

No hay nada en la nevera.

There is nothing in the fridge.

No entiendo nada de lo que dices.

I don't understand anything you're saying.

The Spanish Double Negative

In Spanish, it's correct to use two 'no' words together. If 'nada' comes after the verb, you must also put 'no' before the verb. For example, 'No veo nada' (I don't see anything).

Forgetting the 'no'

Mistake: “Veo nada en el cielo.”

Correction: No veo nada en el cielo. (I don't see anything in the sky.) When 'nada' follows the verb, you almost always need 'no' in front of the verb to make the sentence negative.

mierda

MYER-dahˈmjeɾ.ða

nounB1informal/vulgar
Use 'mierda' with 'no' (no mierda) to express 'not a single thing,' often with a vulgar or emphatic tone, but be aware it also literally means 'shit'.
A small, neatly coiled brown pile of animal droppings on a patch of green grass.

Examples

No hay mierda en la nevera.

There's nothing (not a single thing) in the fridge.

Ten cuidado, hay una mierda de perro en el suelo.

Be careful, there is some dog poop on the floor.

Este coche es una mierda; siempre se rompe.

This car is a piece of junk; it always breaks down.

No entiendo una mierda de lo que dice el profesor.

I don't understand a single damn thing the teacher is saying.

Using 'Una mierda de' as a Describing Phrase

When you put 'una mierda de' before another word, it acts like a very strong negative adjective to say that thing is terrible (e.g., 'una mierda de película' = a crappy movie).

Double Negatives with 'Mierda'

When used to mean 'nothing,' it follows the Spanish double-negative rule. You must say 'No sé una mierda' (I don't know a shit) to mean 'I don't know anything at all.'

Thinking it's 'Gender Neutral'

Mistake: “Using 'el mierda' to talk about a situation.”

Correction: Always use 'la mierda' because it is a feminine noun, regardless of what you are complaining about.

pelotas

peh-LOH-tahspeˈlotas

interjectionC2very informal/colloquial
Use 'pelotas' as an interjection for strong, often humorous, denial, meaning 'absolutely nothing' in the sense of possessing a skill or knowledge.
A simplified cartoon figure standing with both arms raised, palms open and facing forward, shrugging emphatically in a gesture of absolute emptiness and denial.

Examples

¿Que si sabe cocinar? ¡Sabe pelotas!

Does he know how to cook? He knows nothing!

—¿Me vas a ayudar mañana? —¡Pelotas!

—Are you going to help me tomorrow? —No way! (or 'Nonsense!')

Intensifier

When used after 'no' or 'ni,' 'pelotas' acts as a strong intensifier, making the negation much stronger than just saying 'no' or 'nada'.

Choosing between 'nada' and 'mierda'

Learners often confuse 'nada' with 'mierda' when trying to say 'not a single thing.' Remember that 'mierda' is vulgar and typically used with 'no' (no mierda), while 'nada' is the standard, neutral term for 'nothing'.

Related Translations

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