Adverb · A1 · Spanish glossary

Nunca: never

nunca

Pronunciation: NOON-kah (stress the capital letters)

Nunca means “never” in English.

Quick answer

  • Meaning: never
  • How to say it: NOON-kah
  • Level: Beginner (A1)

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What “nunca” means and how to use it

Nunca means “never.” Spanish allows a double negative, so “no” is added when nunca follows the verb.

Examples with audio

  • Nunca como carne.I never eat meat.
  • No fumo nunca.I never smoke.
  • Nunca he estado en Chile.I have never been to Chile.

Usage tip

Both are correct: “nunca como carne” and “no como carne nunca.” Spanish does not treat a double negative as incorrect.

Frequently asked questions

How do you say “never” in Spanish?

“never” in Spanish is “nunca.” It is pronounced NOON-kah, with the stress on the syllable in capital letters.

How do you pronounce “nunca”?

Say NOON-kah. The syllable in capital letters gets the stress. Press the speaker button at the top of this page to hear it.

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