How it works
Put no before the conjugated verb to make a negative statement. Tampoco adds a second negative statement meaning “not either.” A negative word placed after the verb normally keeps no before it: this is negative concord, not a logical double positive. Compare the three patterns in the table.
No trabajo. Pablo tampoco trabaja. No hay nada.
| Meaning | Spanish pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| not | no + conjugated verb | Marta no trabaja. |
| not either | tampoco + verb | Pablo tampoco trabaja. |
| nothing / anything after no | no + verb + nada | No veo nada. |
See it in a sentence
Marta no trabaja los domingos.
Marta does not work on Sundays.
No stands directly before the conjugated verb trabaja.
Ana no come carne y Pablo tampoco come carne.
Ana does not eat meat, and Pablo does not either.
Tampoco adds Pablo to the negative statement without repeating no.
Put it into practice
Try it yourself
5 questions, with feedback after every answer. No account needed.
