Spanish Phrase
No, no tengo.
Meaning
A short, emphatic way to say 'No, I don’t have (it)'. The first 'No' works as a quick refusal, while the second 'no' together with 'tengo' forms the grammatical negation of the verb.
When to use
Use this phrase when someone asks you if you possess something—like a pen, a ticket, or a piece of information—and you want to answer clearly that you don’t have it. It’s also handy in polite refusals when you need to decline an offer that involves something you don’t own.
✦Grammar Breakdown
No,notengo
Double Negation
In Spanish, using 'no' before the verb already negates the sentence; adding another 'no' before the verb is a common way to emphasize the denial.
Verb Conjugation – Tener
Tener is an irregular verb; 'tengo' is the first‑person singular present indicative form meaning 'I have'.
Comma Usage
A comma after the first 'No' separates the interjection from the clause, mirroring natural speech pauses.
🗨In Conversation
¿Tienes un bolígrafo que me prestes?
Do you have a pen I could borrow?
No, no tengo.
No, I don’t have one.
✕Common Mistakes
No, no tengo es.
The verb 'tener' already carries the negation; you don’t add 'es' after it. Use a noun or pronoun instead, e.g., 'No, no lo tengo.'
No, no tengo yo.
Subject pronouns are usually omitted in Spanish unless you need contrast or emphasis. Simply say 'No, no tengo.'
No, no tengo nada.
While grammatically correct, it changes the meaning to 'I have nothing at all' rather than just denying a specific item.
↔Alternatives
No, no lo tengo.
No, I don’t have it.
No, no dispongo de eso.
No, I don’t have that.
No, no cuento con eso.
No, I don’t have that.
Cultural Tip
Spanish speakers often repeat 'no' for emphasis, especially in informal conversation. While 'No, no tengo' is perfectly natural, adding the direct‑object pronoun (e.g., 'No, no lo tengo') can sound a bit more precise. In many Latin American countries, the tone and pause after the first 'No' convey politeness, so don’t rush the comma when speaking.