Formal and Informal Disagreeing in Spanish
As you learn the Spanish language and start mastering new vocabulary and grammar structures you gain more confidence in the language and may get involved in a real life conversation. As in any conversation, giving your opinion on a topic is an important part of it.
You don’t have to agree on everything that is discussed, that’s why you need to learn some phrases to disagree in the Spanish language according to the situation.
Discrepar, discentir
are formal ways to say you don’t agree on something.
There are many informal ways to disagree using the word “no” without being rude. If you don’t like a particular food that is being offered in a party you simply say No, gracias or any other variant. You don’t need to be disrespectful by saying you don’t agree on that kind of food.
No, gracias | No, thank you |
No, gracias. Estoy bien | No, thank you. I’m fine |
No, gracias. Está bien así | No, thank you. It’s fine like that |
Nop | Nope |
No hombre | No, man |
Eso no es del todo cierto | That’s not entirely true |
No estoy de acuerdo or I don’t agree is the most common and formal way to say you have a completely different opinion on something. There are many variants in case you are talking to any colleges or professors. You simply say Me temo que… or I’m afraid that…, No puedo estar de acuerdo… or I can’t agree.
No estoy de acuerdo al cien por ciento | I don’t agree a hundred percent |
Yo en eso discrepo | I disagree on that |
No estoy completamente de acuerdo | I don’t completely agree |
Me temo que no estoy de acuerdo | I’m afraid I have to disagree |
No puedo estar de acuerdo con eso | I can't agree with that |
Me temo que no lo veo de esa manera | I’m afraid I don’t see it that way |
Disagreeing with someone or on a topic doesn’t mean you have to be rude. You can say No lo veo muy claro or I can’t see it clearly if you don’t want to disagree straight away.
No estoy muy seguro de eso | I’m not very sure about that |
Puede ser, pero... | It could be, but... |
Eso no tiene sentido | That doesn’t make any sense |
No lo veo muy claro | I can’t see it clearly |
No lo veo de esa manera | I don’t see it that way |
Yo no creo que sea verdad | I don’t think that’s true |
If you want to make your point clearly, you need to learn some phrases to strongly disagree on someone else’s opinion. Using the following phrases will help you make your position more effective without offending anyone.
No estoy de acuerdo | I don’t agree |
Creo que te equivocas | I think you are wrong |
Estoy en contra de eso | I’m against that |
Por nada del mundo | No way in the world |
No, en lo absoluto | Not at all |
No podría estar más en desacuerdo | I couldn’t disagree more |
If you are talking to a Spanish speaking friend or family living in a Spanish speaking country, you can use colloquial phrases to disagree with someone. If you consider him a loco you simply say ¡Tú estás loco! or you are crazy.
These expressions are not appropriate in your university or workplace since they are too casual. If you are an intermediate level Spanish learner these colloquial phrases are useful to get immersed in the Spanish culture and disagree as Spanish speakers would do.
¡Estás mal de la cabeza! | You are bad from the head! |
¡Deja de decir tonterías! | Stop saying nonsense! |
¡Tú estás loco/loca! | You are crazy! |
Pero ¿Qué dices? | But, what do you say? |
¡Jamás de los jamases! | Never of nevers! |
¡Nunca en la vida! | Never in my life! |
¡Anda ya! | Come on! |
¡Ni de broma! | Not even joking! |
¡Ni lo sueñes! | Don’t even dream about it! |
You can use the Spanish iPhone app together with the Babbel website. Your learning progress will be