Log inSign up

El código no es válido.

El código no es válido.
The code is not valid.
FromLesson 37inHardcore Spanish (Latin America)

Breakdown of El código no es válido.

ser
to be
no
not
válido
valid
el código
the code

Questions & Answers about El código no es válido.

Why is it es and not está?
Spanish uses ser for classifications or inherent properties, so validity defaults to ser: El código no es válido. Use estar for states or availability. To highlight time-limited validity, you’d usually say no está vigente or ya no es válido, rather than no está válido (which is uncommon).
Why is válido masculine singular? How would it change with other nouns?

Adjectives agree with the noun in gender and number. Código is masculine singular, so válido is too.

  • Feminine: La tarjeta no es válida.
  • Plural masculine: Los códigos no son válidos.
  • Plural feminine: Las claves no son válidas.
Can I say El código es inválido? Is there any difference from no válido?
Yes. Inválido and no válido both work. In interfaces and help texts, no válido is very common; inválido can sound a bit more formal/technical. Note the accent: inválido means “invalid”; without the accent (invalido) it’s the verb “I invalidate.”
Can I drop the article El? What about using este?
  • In full sentences, keep it: El código no es válido.
  • In UI labels/messages, you can drop it: Código no válido or Código inválido.
  • To specify “this,” say: Este código no es válido.
How do I pronounce it?
  • código: KOH-dee-go. The stressed syllable is the first; the d between vowels is a soft sound (like the “th” in “this”).
  • válido: BAH-lee-do. Spanish v sounds like a soft b; d between vowels is soft.
What do the accent marks in código and válido do? What happens if I omit them?
They mark the stressed syllable. Without them, the stress would fall elsewhere and meanings can change. For example, válido = “valid,” but valido = “I validate.” Also, the article el has no accent; él (with accent) means “he.”
Where does no go in Spanish negation?
Directly before the conjugated verb: no es. Spanish allows “double negatives” with words like nunca/nadie: El código no es válido nunca (grammatical, though El código nunca es válido sounds more natural).
How do I make it plural?
Change both the verb and the adjective: Los códigos no son válidos.
How do I say “not valid anymore” or “expired”?
  • Este código ya no es válido.
  • Este código ya no está vigente.
  • Este código ya venció. (common for time-bound codes/coupons)
What’s the difference between válido, correcto, and vigente?
  • válido: meets the rules/requirements.
  • correcto: is “right” or free of errors.
  • vigente: is currently in force (hasn’t expired). Example: El cupón no está vigente.
Is código always “code”? When should I use clave or contraseña?
  • código: general “code” (promo code, verification code, programming code).
  • clave: often a PIN or key code (e.g., clave bancaria).
  • contraseña: a password. So El código no es válido fits promo/verification codes; for a password you’d say La contraseña no es válida.
Is El código no vale acceptable?
Colloquially, yes—no vale can mean “it doesn’t count/isn’t valid.” For formal or UI text, prefer no es válido. Note no vale can also mean “that’s not fair” in conversation.
Can I change the word order, like ¿Es válido el código? or No es válido el código?
Yes. For statements, the neutral order is subject–verb–complement: El código no es válido. For questions, both ¿El código es válido? and ¿Es válido el código? are fine. Postposing the subject in statements (No es válido el código) is possible for emphasis or flow.
Can I replace the noun with a pronoun, like “No, it isn’t”?
Yes: No, no lo es. Here lo stands for the whole idea “valid.” Don’t say El código no lo es válido; with the noun present, use es válido.
Why El and not Lo or Él?
Do I keep accents in ALL CAPS or in UI text?
Yes, Spanish keeps accents in capitals: EL CÓDIGO NO ES VÁLIDO. In UI labels you’ll see Código no válido with accents.
How would I say it in past or future?
  • Past (completed): El código no fue válido.
  • Past (ongoing/background): El código no era válido.
  • Future: El código no será válido.
Can I use válido attributively, like “a valid code”?

Yes: un código válido. Predicate vs. attributive:

  • Predicate: El código es válido.
  • Attributive: Necesitas un código válido.
AI Language TutorTry it ↗
“How does verb conjugation work in Spanish?”
Spanish verbs change form based on the subject, tense, and mood. Regular verbs follow predictable patterns depending on whether they end in ‑ar, ‑er, or ‑ir. For example, "hablar" (to speak) becomes "hablo" (I speak), "hablas" (you speak), and "habla" (he/she speaks) in the present tense.

Sign up free — start using our AI language tutor

Start learning Spanish

Master Spanish — from El código no es válido to fluency

All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods.

  • ✓ Infinitely deep — unlimited vocabulary and grammar
  • ✓ Fast-paced — build complex sentences from the start
  • ✓ Unforgettable — efficient spaced repetition system
  • ✓ AI tutor to answer your grammar questions
Start learning Spanish freeBrowse the full course