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What is the difference between "jamas" and "nunca?"

What is the difference between "jamas" and "nunca?"

4
votes

When can you use jamas, and when can you use nunca? Is there difference for when you can use these words?

92175 views
updated Sep 9, 2017
posted by sviralam

3 Answers

7
votes

"jamas" is more radical, it's a decision, something that probably will never happen. e.g. "Yo jamas ire a esa casa"/ I will never go to that house. "Ella jamas sera tu esposa"/ She will never be your wife.

"nunca" is equivalent to never, something that has not been happening up to the present time e.g. " Yo nunca como cebollas"/ I never eat onions. "Nunca tomo siestas por la tarde"/ I never take naps in the afternoon.

updated Sep 9, 2017
posted by Doriz
Thank you! There are so many instances where they have different words for the same meaning. This explains that, - Sherry6822, Sep 9, 2017
5
votes

Some of the usage may be regional, but generally speaking, "nunca" is a normal sort of "never" and "jamás" is more emphatic. For a real "never, ever, ever..." sort of feeling, you can say "nunca jamás".

updated Apr 10, 2016
posted by mountaingirl123
1
vote

This question has been asked and answered before.

For the previous discussionClick Here

The consensus is that the words are completely interchangeable.


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updated Oct 28, 2009
edited by Moe
posted by Moe