Learn Spanish (Spain): No tengo tiempo ni dinero. - I have neither time nor money.

No tengo tiempo ni dinero.

I have neither time nor money.

Breakdown of No tengo tiempo ni dinero.

Questions & Answers about No tengo tiempo ni dinero.

Why is the word ni used here instead of o?

In Spanish, when you list things in a negative sentence, you use ni instead of o. Because the sentence starts with the negative word No, you use ni to mean 'nor' or 'or'. Saying No tengo tiempo o dinero sounds incorrect to a Spanish speaker.

Why doesn't the sentence start with the pronoun yo (I)?

The verb form tengo already means 'I have'. In Spanish, it is very common to drop subject pronouns like yo unless you want to add special emphasis or clear up confusion.

Why are there no words for 'the' or 'any' before tiempo and dinero?

When you talk about an unspecified amount of uncountable things like time or money, especially after the verb tener (to have), Spanish usually drops the article. Just like in English you say 'I do not have time', in Spanish you simply say No tengo tiempo.

Is it okay to translate this as 'I do not have time or money'?

Yes! While the provided translation 'I have neither time nor money' helps show how the Spanish double negative works, 'I do not have time or money' is perfectly accurate and is the most common way to say this in everyday English.