Redundant "No"

Question

I have come across some examples of the word "no" used in a redundant way. For example:

"No cobrarás hasta que no encuentre trabajo" "You won't get the money until he finds work"

"No salgas de la cocina hasta que no termines la comida" "Don't leave the kitchen until you finish the meal"

I have noticed that this is prevalent after "hasta que" and "a menos que" when the main clause is negative, but I have had no luck in finding out why this "no" appears in such constructions. Does anyone know the "secret of the temple" here?

Answer 1

"Hasta que no" in negative sentences is equivalent to "hasta que".

Well noticed by yourself, and well pointed by cae, the no is "redundant" or emphatic, but very common in Spanish, and perfectly correct.

No salgas de la cocina hasta que (no) termines la comida.

You know, the secret of the temple is that we Spanish love to deny twice Well, actually, the second "no" is not perceived as a negation of "terminar la comida", it's just emphasising the negative command "no salgas".

"No salgas hasta que termines" sounds like a soft recommendation: once you've finished, you are free to leave.

In contrast, "no salgas hasta que no termines" is a strong command, almost a clear prohibition. You'll be here until you've finished your job.

very interesting, thanks for the insight :) - Kiwi-Girl, Jan 17, 2013

Hola, Cogu, y muchas gracias. If I understand correctly, the second no is really an intensifier of the negation in the main clause, and it is not a double negative. - padrin, Jan 17, 2013

Thanks Cogu, I didn't know that. - annierats, Jan 17, 2013

Answer 2

I wouldn't add the second "no" when talking, however I usually try to keep some logic in what I say. So, either you say it or not, by the context or by the implicit message, with or without that second "no", such message is the same, which is a kind of mistake, but understood eventually..

thanks, Cae. I still don't know why this redundant "no" is included. - padrin, Jan 14, 2013