qué va

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no way, not at all
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/ke ˈba/
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Strongly dismisses a suggestion, often reassuring the other person.
Practice using qué va in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • —¿Estás enfadado? —¡Qué va!
    “Are you angry?” “Not at all!”
  • ¡Qué va! No soy ningún experto.
    No way! I am no expert.
  • —Dicen que va a nevar. —¡Qué va!
    “They say it will snow.” “No way!”
  • —¿Tienes miedo? —¡Qué va!
    “Are you afraid?” “Not at all!”
  • —¿Te resultó difícil? —¡Qué va!
    “Was it difficult?” “Not at all!”

Similar words

de ninguna manera
para nada

Meanings

No way

denial
informal
An informal response that rejects what someone has just suggested.

Examples

  • —¿Estás enfadado? —¡Qué va!
    “Are you angry?” “Not at all!”
  • —¿Te resultó difícil? —¡Qué va!
    “Was it difficult?” “Not at all!”
  • —Dicen que va a nevar. —¡Qué va!
    “They say it will snow.” “No way!”
  • ¡Qué va! No soy ningún experto.
    No way! I am no expert.
  • —¿Tienes miedo? —¡Qué va!
    “Are you afraid?” “Not at all!”

Similar words

para nada
de ninguna manera

Etymology

Fixed conversational exclamation from qué and va, a form of ir.

FAQ

What does qué va mean?

“No way” or “not at all”.

When is it used?

To reject a suggestion or assumption.

Is it informal?

Yes, it belongs to everyday conversation.

Does qué take an accent?

Yes, it is exclamatory.

Is it the literal question qué va?

No, this fixed response has a negative meaning.

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