Understanding how to refuse in Spanish means getting the cultural and situational context right. It’s important in formal settings to be precise and polite, while in casual chats, using short and local phrases can say a lot more than just ‘no’. Knowing how to say ‘no’ correctly is key. Here, we look at 30 different ways to say ‘no’ in Spanish. These range from the straightforward ‘No, gracias’ to the more colorful ‘Ni pensarlo’. Understanding these expressions will help you communicate better and more naturally with Spanish speakers.
Basic Ways of Saying “No” in Spanish
In Spanish, there are many ways to say “no” based on the situation. You can use polite phrases or stronger ones depending on what you need. Each expression has its own tone and meaning. Here are several ways to say “no” in Spanish, so you can choose the right one for every moment.
| Spanish | English Translation |
|---|---|
| No | No |
| No gracias | No, thank you |
| Qué va | No way |
| Nunca | Never |
| Claro que no | Of course not |
| Lo suficiente | It’s enough |
| Ni hablar | Forget it, no way |
| Ni se te ocurra | Don’t even think about it |
| Ni lo sueñes | No way |
| Por supuesto que no | Of course not |
| De eso nada | It’s not happening |
| De ninguna manera | No way |
| Para nada | No way |
| No puede ser | It can’t be |
| Ni de broma | No way |
| ¿En serio? | Are you serious? |
| No me digas | Don’t tell me that |
| Ya basta | Enough already |
Formal Ways to Say No in Spanish
Knowing how to say no politely in Spanish is key to staying professional and courteous. It’s all about keeping good relationships and communicating respectfully. Here are some phrases you can use. Using these phrases helps keep things clear and polite, which is vital in formal situations.
| Spanish | English Translation |
| Me temo que no será posible. | I’m afraid that won’t be possible. |
| Lamentablemente, tengo que negarme. | Unfortunately, I must decline. |
| No puedo comprometerme con eso. | I cannot commit to that. |
| Debo abstenerme en esta ocasión. | I must abstain on this occasion. |
| No es factible en este momento. | It’s not feasible at the moment. |
| Mis disculpas, pero no es viable. | My apologies, but it is not viable. |
| Me resulta imposible aceptar. | It is impossible for me to accept. |
| Debo decir que no, gracias. | I must say no, thank you. |
| Me veo obligado a rechazarlo. | I am compelled to reject it. |
| No puedo darle mi aprobación. | I cannot give my approval. |
| Me es imposible conceder eso. | It is impossible for me to grant that. |
| No, debo considerar otras prioridades. | No, I must consider other priorities. |
Also Read: How To Express Feelings & Emotions In Spanish: A Beginner’s Guide
Informal Ways to Say No in Spanish
Want to say no in Spanish without sounding too formal? Spanish has plenty of casual ways to do just that. Check out the list of informal ways of saying ‘NO’ in Spanish.
| Spanish | English Translation |
| Ahora no es buen momento. | Now’s not a good time. |
| No me cuadra, la verdad. | Honestly, it doesn’t fit for me. |
| Mejor lo dejamos. | Let’s just drop it. |
| Paso de eso. | I’ll pass on that. |
| No va a poder ser. | It’s not going to work out. |
| Mejor otro día. | Better on another day. |
| No, gracias. | No, thanks. |
| Ni pensarlo. | Don’t even think about it. |
| No me apetece, la verdad. | I don’t really feel like it. |
| Así no juego. | I’m not playing it that way. |
| Hoy no me viene bien. | Today doesn’t work for me. |
| Lo voy a dejar pasar. | I’m going to let it pass. |
Slang and Idiomatic Ways to Refuse in Spanish
Diving into the casual side of Spanish, we find some colorful ways to say no that really bring the language to life. Here is the list of Slang and Idioms you can use to say “no” in Spanish. These phrases aren’t just about saying no; they reflect the speaker’s personality and culture. They make conversations more lively and real.
| Type | Spanish | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Slang | Ni de broma. | Not even as a joke. |
| Slang | Pasa de eso. | Forget about it. |
| Slang | Qué va. | No way. |
| Slang | Ni lo sueñes. | Don’t even dream of it. |
| Slang | Anda y cuéntaselo a otro. | Go and tell that to someone else. |
| Slang | Me apunto cero a eso. | I’m zero into that. |
| Idiomatic | Me cae gordo. | That doesn’t sit well with me. |
| Idiomatic | Eso no me viene bien. | That doesn’t work for me. |
| Idiomatic | Ni pensarlo. | Don’t even think about it. |
| Idiomatic | Me retiro de esa idea. | I back out of that idea. |
| Idiomatic | Me suena chino. | That sounds Greek to me. |
| Idiomatic | Corta el rollo. | Cut the crap. |
Also Read: How To Talk About The Weather In Spanish: A Simple Guide
Conclusion
In short, learning how to say no in Spanish means knowing different ways to express it, depending on the situation. Whether you need to be polite in formal settings or use more casual, colorful language with friends, each way of saying no is important. Being good at this not only helps you communicate better but also helps you understand the culture better. It’s really useful for anyone who wants to fit in and feel confident in Spanish-speaking places. Keep visiting the Translation Blog to master any language easily.
