Spanish Positive and Negative Words

Overview

Mastering the use of positive (affirmative) and negative words in Spanish is an integral step to becoming a more coherent, fluent-like speaker. This unit reviews many of the common words you will need.

July 13, 2023

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We use affirmative words to talk about indefinite situations or items and negative words to talk about negative situations. For example:

Affirmative word: I need something to clean up this spill. (indefinite item needed)

Negative word: There is no one here to help me clean this spill. (negative situation)

Take a look at the Spanish affirmative and negative words below:

Affirmative Words	Negative Words
algo – something	nada – nothing
alguien – someone	nadie – nobody
alguno/a/as/os, algún – a, one, any, some	ningún, ninguno/a – none
siempre – always	nunca, jamás – never
alguna vez – ever	nunca, jamás – never
también – also	tampoco – neither
o … o, either … or	ni … ni – neither … nor

*Note: When we use the words alguno and ninguno they must agree in gender with the noun they modify.

When choosing between a negative and affirmative word, a helpful hint is to remember that if the word “no” has been used before the verb, a negative word must follow. In Spanish, this use of a double negative is not only permitted but required.

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Common European Framework of Reference for Languages

The CEFR is an international standard used to describe language ability. Here are specific details of the CEFR for this topic.

General Explanation:

Can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. Can introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where he/she lives, people he/she knows and things he/she has. Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.

Specific Capabilities at this Level

Writing:

I can write a short, simple postcard, for example sending holiday greetings. I can fill in forms with personal details, for example entering my name, nationality and address on a hotel registration form.

Spoken Production:

I can use simple phrases and sentences to describe where I live and people I know.

Spoken Interaction:

I can interact in a simple way provided the other person is prepared to repeat or rephrase things at a slower rate of speech and help me formulate what I’m trying to say. I can ask and answer simple questions in areas of immediate need or on very familiar topics.

Reading:

I can understand familiar names, words and very simple sentences, for example on notices and posters or in catalogues.

Listening:

I can recognize familiar words and very basic phrases concerning myself, my family and immediate concrete surroundings when people speak slowly and clearly.

Spanish Positive and Negative Words

Overview

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Common European Framework of Reference for Languages

General Explanation:

Specific Capabilities at this Level

Writing:

Spoken Production:

Spoken Interaction:

Reading:

Listening: