Things: "Algo" and "Nada"
When investigating a room for clues, you will need words for unspecified things. Use algo to say "something" and nada to say "nothing" (or "anything").
| Are you looking for something in the drawer? | ¿Buscas algo en el cajón? |
| There is something strange here. | Hay algo extraño aquí. |
Double Negatives: In Spanish, double negatives are perfectly normal—and often required! If a negative word like nada comes after the verb, you must put no before the verb. You are literally saying "I do not see nothing."
| I do not see anything in the box. | No veo nada en la caja. |
| There is nothing behind the mirror. | No hay nada detrás del espejo. |
People: "Alguien" and "Nadie"
To talk about unspecified people, use alguien for "someone" and nadie for "no one" or "nobody".
| Someone is checking the bag. | Alguien está revisando la bolsa. |
The double negative rule applies to nadie as well. If it comes after the verb, you still need to put no before the verb.
| There is no one in the office. | No hay nadie en la oficina. |
However, if the negative word comes before the verb, it does the job all on its own. You drop the extra no.
| No one understands this letter. | Nadie comprende esta carta. |
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