“No tengo nada”: two negatives are right
CEFR A1 · part 2
edumaterial's parts within the level. The European framework does not subdivide them.
“Me gusta”: the sentence turns roundBuilding sentences with “gustar”, “encantar”, “doler”, “interesar” and “faltar”: the…“Tengo 20 años”, “hace frío”Using “tener” for age, hunger, thirst, cold, fear and being right, and “hacer” for the…“Hay” or “está”Saying that something exists with “hay”, and saying where a known thing is with “estar”.“Quiero”, “puedo”, “duermo”: verbs that change insideThe three patterns —“e” to “ie”, “o” to “ue”, “e” to “i”— and the shape they make: every…“Veo a María”: the “a” that English cannot seePutting “a” in front of a person who is the direct object —“busco a mi hermano”— and…“Ser” or “estar”: two verbs for one “to be”Choosing between “ser” and “estar” in everyday sentences: who you are and what you are…The rule, in three lines
If the negative word comes AFTER the verb, the no stays: no tengo nada, no veo a nadie, no voy nunca. If it comes BEFORE, the no goes: nadie vino, nunca voy. Two negatives in one sentence are not a mistake in Spanish — they are the rule.
The usual slip. Dropping the no because two negatives feel wrong: tengo nada, veo a nadie.
Why it catches you out. Your school English taught you that “I don't have nothing” is bad grammar, and that lesson fights you here: in Spanish it is the correct sentence. The test is position, not logic — negative word after the verb, keep the “no”.