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How to Say "or" in Spanish

English → Spanish

o

oho

conjunctionA1general
Use 'o' when presenting a choice between two or more options in a positive statement or question.
A person standing at a fork in the road, choosing between a path leading to a sun icon and another leading to a moon icon, representing a choice.

Examples

¿Quieres té o café?

Do you want tea or coffee?

Podemos ir al cine o al parque.

We can go to the movies or to the park.

No sé si es martes o miércoles.

I don't know if it's Tuesday or Wednesday.

The 'o' to 'u' Switch Rule

To make speaking smoother, 'o' changes to 'u' when the very next word starts with an 'o' or 'ho' sound. This avoids having two 'o' sounds in a row. For example, 'siete u ocho' (seven or eight).

Forgetting to Use 'u'

Mistake: “Necesito siete o ocho.”

Correction: Necesito siete u ocho. (I need seven or eight.) Because 'ocho' starts with an 'o' sound, we switch 'o' to 'u' to avoid the awkward 'o-o' sound clash.

ni

neeni

conjunctionA2general
Use 'ni' in negative sentences to mean 'neither...nor' or 'or' when listing two or more things that are not wanted or true.
A plate holding a piece of broccoli and a piece of cauliflower, with a large red X drawn over both, indicating they are not wanted.

Examples

No me gusta el café ni el té.

I don't like coffee or tea.

Mi hermano no come carne ni pescado.

My brother eats neither meat nor fish.

No tengo ni idea de qué estás hablando.

I don't have even a clue what you're talking about.

The 'Double No' Rule

In Spanish, it's correct to use 'no' before the verb and 'ni' to connect negative things. Think of it as reinforcing the 'no': No quiero ni pizza ni pasta. (I don't want pizza or pasta).

Connecting Two 'No's

Use 'ni... ni...' the same way you use 'neither... nor...' in English. It's for rejecting two or more options. No es ni alto ni bajo. (He is neither tall nor short).

Emphasis with 'Not Even'

You can use 'ni' by itself to add emphasis, meaning 'not even'. No tengo ni un euro. (I don't have even one euro).

Using 'o' Instead of 'ni'

Mistake: “When listing things you don't like or want, it's easy to use 'o' (or) like in English: `No me gusta el café o el té.`”

Correction: In Spanish, you must use 'ni' in negative lists: `No me gusta el café ni el té.` Use 'o' for choices between things you *do* want.

quirófano

nounB1medical
This word is not a translation of 'or'; it is a noun meaning 'operating room' and is sometimes mistakenly thought to be related.

Examples

El cirujano entró al quirófano a las diez de la mañana.

The surgeon entered the operating room at ten in the morning.

Confusing 'o' with 'ni'

The most common mistake is using 'ni' in positive choices or 'o' in negative constructions. Remember: 'o' is for choices, while 'ni' connects negative items, functioning like 'neither...nor'.

Related Translations

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