Spanish · A1 · Everyday language
Screens And Choices in Spanish
This guide helps parents set gentle boundaries regarding screen time while practicing negative sentences in Spanish. You will learn how to say 'no', 'not', and 'none' in a variety of tech-related contexts.
What you'll learn
- Learn to use 'no' to negate verbs in Spanish.
- Practice screen-related vocabulary like tablet, internet, and messages.
- Communicate boundaries and preferences clearly to children.
Spanish phrases for screens and choices
Ahora no.
Not now.
'Ahora' means 'now'. In Spanish, 'no' usually follows the time word in short phrases like this.
La tableta no está cargada.
The tablet is not charged.
'Cargada' matches the feminine gender of 'tableta'.
No tenemos internet hoy.
We have no internet today.
Spanish uses 'no + verb' to express 'we have no...'.
Este juego no es gratis.
This game is not free.
'Gratis' is used for things that cost zero money.
No me gusta este video.
I do not like this video.
Put 'no' right before 'me gusta' to show dislike.
No hay mensajes nuevos.
There are no new messages.
'Hay' means 'there is' or 'there are'. 'No hay' means 'there aren't any'.
Tu teléfono no está aquí.
Your phone is not here.
'Aquí' means 'here'.
No tenemos tiempo para una película.
We have no time for a film.
'Película' is the word for movie or film.
Hear these phrases and practise them
Tildi plays every phrase out loud, tests you in five-minute lessons and builds them into bedtime stories from your own picture books.
Try it free for 7 daysKey words
Gratis
Free of charge
Unlike 'libre' (free as in liberty), 'gratis' refers to price.
Cargada
Charged
Used for batteries. If the device is masculine (teléfono), use 'cargado'.
Mensajes
Messages
Plural of 'mensaje'.
Tableta
Tablet
A common word for an iPad or similar device.
Basic Negation
In Spanish, negating a sentence is simple: just place the word 'no' directly before the conjugated verb.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| General Rule | No + Verb | No tengo (I don't have) |
| With Pronouns | No + Object Pronoun + Verb | No me gusta (I don't like it) |
| There is no... | No hay + Noun | No hay wifi (There is no wifi) |
More examples
¿Tienes el iPad? No, no lo tengo.
Do you have the iPad? No, I don't have it.
Notice 'no' is used twice: once for the answer and once to negate the verb.
No es el momento de jugar.
It is not the time to play.
A useful phrase for transitioning away from screens.