Double Negation in Portuguese

In Portuguese, like in other Romance languages, double negation is a very common feature.

But wait! What is double negation?

Double negation occurs when two negative elements are used in the same sentence, but instead of canceling each other out (as in English), they reinforce the negative meaning. 

In Portuguese, double negation is not only grammatically correct but is often required to convey a proper negative statement.

Most commonly, double negation combines the negative adverb “não” with any of these indefinite pronouns:

• nada (nothing)
• nenhum (none)
• ninguém (nobody)

Usually, “não” is followed by a verb and then the indefinite pronoun – [não → verb → indefinite pronoun]

Read on.

Nada

“Nada” is Portuguese for “nothing” and is used to talk about things or objects, not people. Here’s a simple example of a double negation:

Eu não sei nada.
I know nothing.

See, while the Portuguese sentence has two negative elements – “não” and “nada” – the English version has only one – “nothing.” 

Now, that wouldn’t work for Portuguese. The sentence “Eu sei nada” (with only one negative element) sounds off. The same applies to “ninguém” and “nenhum” in analogous structures as you will see in a moment.  

Here’s another example of a negative sentence with “nada”:

Ele estuda Japonês há mais de um ano mas ainda não fala nada.
He’s been studying Japanese for over a year but still doesn’t speak anything at all.

Ninguém

“Ninguém” means “nobody” and is used only to talk about people. Here’s an example of a double negation: