Spanish Phrase
No, no lo hago.
Meaning
Literally, "No, I don't do it." The speaker is refusing or stating that they will not perform the action that has just been mentioned.
When to use
Use this phrase when someone asks you to do something, offers you a task, or suggests an activity and you want to decline firmly. The first "No" emphasizes the refusal, while the second part repeats the negation with the object pronoun.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Nonolohago
Standalone negation
The first "No," is a direct response meaning "No" to a question or suggestion.
Negation before the verb
"no" placed before the verb (hago) negates the action.
Direct object pronoun "lo"
"lo" replaces a masculine singular object (e.g., "el trabajo", "eso").
Verb conjugation
"hago" is the first‑person singular present of "hacer" (to do/make).
Double negative is normal
Spanish routinely uses two negatives ("no" + "lo") – it is grammatically correct, not a mistake.
🗨In Conversation
¿Quieres ayudar a montar la mesa?
Do you want to help set the table?
No, no lo hago.
No, I don't do it.
✕Common Mistakes
No lo hago no.
The second "no" must come before the verb, not after it.
No lo hago él.
"él" changes the subject; the sentence is about "I" (yo).
No, no lo hago la.
Use "la" only when the object is feminine; "lo" is correct for masculine objects.
↔Alternatives
No lo hago.
I don't do it.
No, no lo haré.
No, I won't do it.
No, no quiero hacerlo.
No, I don't want to do it.
No, no lo hago ahora.
No, I'm not doing it now.
Cultural Tip
In Spanish, using two negatives in the same clause is required; "no lo hago" is perfectly natural. Dropping the first "No," when answering a direct question can sound less emphatic. Also, remember that "lo" only replaces masculine singular objects—if the object were feminine, you would say "la" (e.g., "No, no la hago").