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"Both" is a pronoun which is often translated as "ambos", and "neither" is a conjunction which is often translated as "ni". Learn more about the difference between "both" and "neither" below.
both(
both
)A pronoun is a word that stands in for a noun (e.g., she).
a. ambos (masculine)
My best friends are from Chile. Both live in Santiago.Mis mejores amigos son de Chile. Ambos viven en Santiago.
b. ambas (feminine)
How did your daughters do on the test? - Both got good grades.¿Cómo le fue a tus hijas en el examen? - Ambas sacaron buenas notas.
c. los dos (masculine)
Which dress should I buy? Both fit me really well.¿Cuál vestido debería comprar? Los dos me quedan muy bien.
d. las dos (feminine)
Which house are you going to buy? Both are in very good neighborhoods.¿Cuál de las casas vas a comprar? Las dos están en vecindarios muy buenos.
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
A conjunction is a word that connects words, phrases, clauses, or sentences (e.g., The cat and the dog slept.).
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Both my sister and my friend live abroad.Tanto mi hermana como mi amiga viven en el extranjero.
I love both my mother and father.Quiero a mi madre y a mi padre por igual.
neither(
nay
-
thuhr
)A conjunction is a word that connects words, phrases, clauses, or sentences (e.g., The cat and the dog slept.).
a. ni
It's too hot tonight. I can't sleep. - Me neither.Hace demasiado calor esta noche. No puedo dormir. - Ni yo.
b. tampoco
If Chris doesn't quit the team, neither will I.Si Chris no deja el equipo, yo tampoco lo dejaré.
c. ni tampoco
She doesn't want to see you again, neither does her sister.No te quiere volver a ver, ni tampoco su hermana.
A pronoun is a word that stands in for a noun (e.g., she).
a. ninguno
Do you like Solange's two records? - No, neither is any good.¿Te gustan los dos discos de Solange? - No, ninguno vale la pena.
An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
a. ni
Daniel is neither working nor studying today. He's going to play soccer.Daniel ni está trabajando ni estudiando hoy. Va a jugar fútbol.
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
a. ninguno de los dos
Which of the two candidates do you like for president? - Neither candidate is any good.¿Cuál de los dos candidatos te gusta para presidente? - Ninguno de los dos vale la pena.
b. ninguno
Neither singer that I hoped would win won.No ganó ninguno de los dos cantantes que esperaba que ganaran.
