Formal and Informal Disagreeing in Spanish

As you learn the Spanish language and start mastering new vocabulary and grammar structures you gain more confidence in the language and may get involved in a real life conversation. As in any conversation, giving your opinion on a topic is an important part of it.

You don’t have to agree on everything that is discussed, that’s why you need to learn some phrases to disagree in the Spanish language according to the situation. 

Discrepar, discentir

 are formal ways to say you don’t agree on something.

There are many informal ways to disagree using the word “no” without being rude. If you don’t like a particular food that is being offered in a party you simply say No, gracias or any other variant. You don’t need to be disrespectful by saying you don’t agree on that kind of food. 

No estoy de acuerdo or I don’t agree is the most common and formal way to say you have a completely different opinion on something. There are many variants in case you are talking to any colleges or professors. You simply say Me temo que… or I’m afraid that…, No puedo estar de acuerdo… or I can’t agree. 

Disagreeing with someone or on a topic doesn’t mean you have to be rude. You can say No lo veo muy claro or I can’t see it clearly if you don’t want to disagree straight away. 

If you want to make your point clearly, you need to learn some phrases to strongly disagree on someone else’s opinion. Using the following phrases will help you make your position more effective without offending anyone. 

If you are talking to a Spanish speaking friend or family living in a Spanish speaking country, you can use colloquial phrases to disagree with someone. If you consider him a loco you simply say ¡Tú estás loco! or you are crazy. 

These expressions are not appropriate in your university or workplace since they are too casual. If you are an intermediate level Spanish learner these colloquial phrases are useful to get immersed in the Spanish culture and disagree as Spanish speakers would do.