Unit 8.2
Differences between Sí, También, No and Tampoco
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Introduction
The adverb [adverbio] modifies the verb, adjective, or other adverbs in a sentence.
The adverbs síandtambién [adverbios sí y también] express affirmation.
The adverbs no and tampoco [adverbios no y tampoco] express negation.
Form
Sí, también, no and tampoco are nuclear adverbs and are also called polar identifying adverbs.
These adverbs are invariable in form and are divided into two groups according to their function:
- of affirmation: sí and también;
- of negation: no and tampoco.
In answers, they can stand alone and, in the case of también and tampoco, they usually come at the end of the sentence.
Example
- ¿Tienes casa propia? → Sí, ¿y tú? → Yo también;
- ¿Tu ventana da a la calle? → Sí, ¿y la tuya? → La mía también;
- ¿Arreglaste tú la puerta? → Sí, y la ventana también;
- ¿Has visto el salón de María? → No, ¿y tú? → Yo tampoco;
- ¿Te ha llamado alguien para alquilar el piso? → No, ¿y a ti? → A mí tampoco;
- ¿Le has dado las llaves de la casa al inquilino? → No, y el contrato tampoco.
Use
Adverbs of affirmation (sí and también) and adverbs of negation (no and tampoco) are used for different purposes:
- of affirmation:
- sí is used to give an affirmative answer;
- también is used in affirmative sentences to express equality, agreement, or coincidence with an affirmative sentence said by another person.
- of negation:
- no is used to give a negative answer;
- tampoco is used in negative sentences to express equality agreement, or concurrence with a negative sentence said by another person.
Summary
Adverbs serve to add information to the verb, adjective or noun. In Spanish, también and sí are positive adverbs used to give an affirmative asnwer, while tampoco and no are negative adverbs and are used to provide negative answers.
For example:
— «¿Vas a la fiesta hoy?» – «Sí. ¿Tú?» – «También.» = Both people are going to la fiesta;
— «¿Vas a la fiesta hoy?» – «No. ¿Tú?» – «Tampoco.» = Neither person are going to la fiesta.
Check the contents of the {Form} section. Then move on to the {Example} section, which shows you the usage in context.
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