Reacting to questions in Spanish in the colloquial register has a large diversity of choices. Depending on the feeling we want to show, native speakers reply automatically using curious and strange expressions that are often confusing for our students on Spanishviaskype.com.

Today, we’ll learn some of these constructions in order to sound more natural speaking Spanish.

Reacting to questions in Spanish: rejection and disagreement

When a person make a question to us in order to propose a plan or to get some information, we can show a negative reaction. We might be offended by the suggestion or disagree absolutely with their opinions. Let’s see some examples reacting to questions in Spanish:

  • ¡Ni de coña! (no fucking way!): sorry for the swear word, but this is a vulgar way to reject. A variation of the previous one and less vulgar is ¡ni de broma!
  • ¡Y una mierda! (the hell I am): Again, we are faced with a vulgar word, mierda (shit). Obviously, it’s only used in situations when we are angry. If you want to sound less rude, you can try ¡y un jamón / pimiento!, which are less vulgar.
  • ¡Ni hablar! (forget it!): This expression is less vulgar than the previous ones but it’s also used in colloquial situations.
  • ¡Ni mucho menos! (by no means): It’s maybe a little more formal than the others but also used in familiar conversations.

—¿Vas a preparar el examen DELE tú solo?

—¡Ni de broma! Es mejor prepararlo con un profesor de Spanishviaskype.

How to show agreement

Perhaps, we agree with the person we are speaking to. In that case we can use different nuances in order to show our feelings:

  • ¡Pues claro! (Of course!): it’s quite more colloquial than por supuesto.
  • ¡Desde luego!: it has the same meaning; however, it’s a little more formal.
  • ¡Y que lo digas! (absolutely, indeed): another good option to accept someone’s opinion.
  • ¡Anda que no!: It means the same but more informal.

—¿No crees que la conversación es lo que hace que domines el español?

—¡Y que lo digas! Yo hago clases de conversación en Spanishviaskype.

Reacting to questions in Spanish: disbelief

Besides agreement and disagreement, we can show disbelief or incredulity for reacting to questions in Spanish. These expressions can change dialectally, but here you have some of the most popular:

  • ¡Venga ya! (You don’t say!): the imperative form venga is very used in Spanish for multiple purposes. This is one of the most funny!
  • ¿Qué me dices?: of course, it’s a rethorical question. We don’t require an answer. We just show surprise.
  • ¡Anda, no digas tonterías! (don’t say bullshit!): similar to venga, anda; it is another imperative with many usages. In this case, it shows surprise and disbelief.
  • ¿En serio? (are you serious? / seriously?): This one is very used in both registers, formal and colloquial.

—En el blog de Spanishviaskype han publicado un artículo con expresiones de colores en relación con el Día del Orgullo Gay. ¿Lo sabías?

—¿En serio? Voy a leerlo ahora mismo.

These are only some examples of how rich is our language for reacting to questions in Spanish. If you want to learn more and put them in practice, reserve now a free trial lesson and let us help you.