Expressing a total lack of means with no tener
To say you have absolutely nothing to complete a task with, Spanish uses a structure that translates roughly to "not having with what [to do it]."
Combine no tener + a preposition (like con) + a question word (like qué) + an infinitive.
| I want to leave a message, but I have nothing to write it with. | Quiero dejar un recado, pero no tengo con qué escribirlo. |
| The inkwell is dry and I have nothing to clean this smudge with. | El tintero está seco y no tengo con qué limpiar este borrón. |
Notice that the question word (qué) keeps its written accent mark.
This structure works with other prepositions and question words, too. For example, if you have no one to turn to, use a + quién (who / to whom).
| I have no one to ask for a stamp for the recipient. | No tengo a quién pedirle un sello para el destinatario. |
Expressing a lack of options with no haber
You can use the exact same formula with no hay (there is no / there are no) to express that there is nowhere, no one, or nothing available in your environment to complete an action.
Combine no hay + a preposition + a question word + an infinitive.
| I have a pen, but there is nowhere to put the notepad. | Tengo un bolígrafo, pero no hay en dónde poner el bloc. |
| The pen has no ink, and there is nowhere to get a cartridge from. | La pluma no tiene tinta, y no hay de dónde sacar un cartucho. |
| There is no one to ask for the recipient's address for this message. | No hay a quién preguntarle la dirección del destinatario para este recado. |
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