I do not understand "ni"

Question

I see ''ni'' in some sentences, but what does it mean? It's confusing for me...

Gracias.

I added a link to an article all about the usage of "ni". Hope it helps! :) - NikkiLR, Jun 5, 2011

Usted es muy simpática, Nikki. Yo agredezco toda su ayuda. - SonrisaDelSol, Jun 5, 2011

:) - NikkiLR, Jun 5, 2011

Made post IE-friendly. - webdunce, Jun 5, 2011

Answer 1

Also -- It can add emphasis:

No puedo ni pensar. -- I cannot even think.

No tengo ni idea. -- I have no idea. I don't even have a clue.

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It can translate to "nor":

No me gusta cantar ni bailar. -- I don't like to sing nor dance.

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Here is a good article about "ni".

Muchas gracias! - SonrisaDelSol, Jun 5, 2011

Answer 2

It has several meanings, I remember these ones:

Cordelia to King Lear: I love my father according to my duty. Neither more nor less

Amo a mi padre acorde a mi deber... Ni más ni menos

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....Ni siquiera limpió su cuarto - He didn't even clean his room (not even)

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No / Ni lo se ni me importa - I don't know and I don't care

Good examples :) - NikkiLR, Jun 5, 2011

Thanks, Nelson! - SonrisaDelSol, Jun 5, 2011

Answer 3

Translations aside, "ni" allows to highlight or contrast something that can't happen or be true, among several other unacceptable options.

Ni duerme, ni deja dormir = He not only doesn't sleep; he doesn't let others sleep either. [both negatives are highlighted]

No lo entiende ni tu padre ni tu padre [both negatives are highlighted]

No me gusta esto...¡ni eso! [with the second there are now at least options, so the second discarded one is highlighted within this group]

Eso no lo hago ni yo = Not even I do that [no one does, but I highlight myself as being a special one within all the options]

Answer 4

HI sonrisa, I think you can find that in the dictionary

Ni...ni...neither...nor

That makes sense. Gracias! - SonrisaDelSol, Jun 5, 2011

Answer 5

Ni que=as if