Common Spanish Phrases with “ni”

When I first started learning Spanish, I noticed native speakers use the word ni in all kinds of fun and expressive ways. It’s a simple word, but it adds a lot of flavor to your conversations. Let’s go over a few common phrases using ni that you’ll hear often in the Spanish-speaking world:

Ni idea

This means “no idea.” You’ll hear it when someone has absolutely no clue about something. Example: ¿Dónde está tu hermano? – Ni idea.

Ni hablar

This is like saying “no way” or “not a chance.” It’s a strong way to say no. Example: ¿Vas a trabajar en tu día libre? – ¡Ni hablar!

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Ni modo

There’s no perfect English translation, but it’s like saying “oh well” or “nothing you can do.” Example: Se canceló el concierto. – Ni modo.

These phrases are part of what makes Spanish so colorful and real. Try using them in your next conversation—it’ll help you sound much more natural!

You can learn even more expressions like these inside the Lingobi app. Download it on iOS or Android and start practicing with native speakers today.