ni modo
- Dictionary
Spanish Slang
Phrasebook
PREMIUM
ni modo(
nee
moh
-
doh
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
1. (colloquial) (not at all) (Latin America)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. there's no way (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Ni modo que vamos a aceptar un trato así.There's no way we're going to accept a deal like that.
b. not a chance (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
¿Quieres salir con tus amiguitas este fin? Pues, ¡ni modo! Como reprobaste el examen de física, no saldrás.You want to go out with your little friends this weekend? Well not a chance! Since you failed your physics exam, you're staying in.
c. it was not to be
Yo quería visitar los museos y ver la ciudad, pero ni modo. Estuve toda la semana en cama con gripe.I meant to visit the museums and see the city, but it was not to be. I spent the whole week in bed with the flu.
2. (colloquial) (used to express resignation) (Latin America)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. that's too bad (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Y si a alguno de ustedes no le parece bien lo que digo, ¡ni modo!And if any of you disagree with what I said, that's too bad!
b. oh well
¡El Cruz Azul volvió a perder! - Ni modo, chavo. Ganaremos el próximo año.Cruz Azul lost again! - Oh well, dude. We'll win next year.
c. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
En ese aspecto somos nomás tercermundistas, ni modo.In that we're just like a Third World country. That's the way it is.
Como ya nada se hace aquí y todo viene de China, ni modo.Nothing's made here anymore, it's all made in China, but what can you do?
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