The word "ni" in Spanish is a conjunction typically used to express negation, similar to "nor" or "neither...nor" in English. Here is a chart that explains the different uses and forms of "ni" with English translations and example sentences.
Chart: All Forms of the Spanish Word "Ni" with English Translation and Use in a Sentence
| Form |
English Translation |
Example Sentence in Spanish |
English Translation |
| Ni (as a standalone word) |
Nor, Neither |
No me gusta ni el café ni el té. |
I like neither coffee nor tea. |
| Ni... ni |
Neither...nor |
Ni Juan ni Pedro vinieron a la fiesta. |
Neither Juan nor Pedro came to the party. |
| Ni siquiera |
Not even |
Ni siquiera me llamaste. |
You didn't even call me. |
| Ni... tampoco |
Neither...either |
No estudio ni trabajo tampoco. |
I neither study nor work either. |
| Ni que |
As if (expressing sarcasm) |
Ni que fuera tan fácil. |
As if it were that easy. |
Usage Notes:
- Ni (as a standalone word): Used to negate elements in a sentence, often to indicate that not even one of multiple options is true.
- Example: No tengo ni idea de lo que pasó. (I have no idea what happened.)
- Ni... ni: This structure is used to link two or more elements in a sentence, indicating that none of them apply.
- Example: Ni el jefe ni los empleados saben lo que ocurrió. (Neither the boss nor the employees know what happened.)
- Ni siquiera: This phrase intensifies negation, meaning "not even."
- Example: Ni siquiera tuvimos tiempo para desayunar. (We didn't even have time for breakfast.)
- Ni... tampoco: Used to express that something is not true in addition to something else also being untrue, similar to "neither...either" in English.
- Example: No quiero ir a la playa ni tampoco al cine. (I don't want to go to the beach, nor to the movies either.)
- Ni que: This phrase is used to express sarcasm, similar to "as if" in English.
- Example: Ni que fuera tan fácil. (As if it were that easy.)
Examples in Context:
- Standalone "Ni":
- No traigo ni dinero ni tarjetas.
- Translation: I brought neither money nor cards.
- Ni... ni:
- Ni la comida ni la bebida estaban buenas.
- Translation: Neither the food nor the drink was good.
- Ni siquiera:
- Ni siquiera pensé en eso.
- Translation: I didn't even think about that.
- Ni... tampoco:
- No me gusta el frío, ni tampoco la lluvia.
- Translation: I don't like the cold, nor the rain either.
- Ni que:
- Ni que fuera tan difícil hacer el trabajo.
- Translation: As if it were so hard to do the work.
This chart should help you understand how "ni" is used in various contexts in Spanish, showing how it contributes to different types of negation and emphasizing certain statements.