Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
EITHER in Spanish: TAMPOCO
Tampoco · adverb · tahm-POH-koh
Translating either into Spanish requires understanding which of its several English functions you need. When either means also not or neither, as in I don't like it either, the translation is tampoco. For the either...or choice structure, Spanish uses o...o, as in o esto o aquello. When either means either one (of two options), the phrase cualquiera de los dos fits perfectly. Mastering these three patterns unlocks the full range of either in Spanish.
tahm-POH-koh
Yo tampoco quiero ir a esa reunión.
I don't want to go to that meeting either.
Either in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for either, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| tampoco | either | tahm-POH-koh | Default, widely understood |
| cualquiera de los dos | either | either one of the two | |
| o...o | either | either...or construction | |
| también | either | in affirmative 'me too/either' contexts |
How Native Speakers Use Tampoco
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Agreeing negatively
—No entendí la lección. —Yo tampoco.
—I didn't understand the lesson. —Me either.
Uses tampoco for agreeing with a negative statement.
Either...or choice
Podemos ir o al cine o al parque, tú decides.
We can go to either the movies or the park, you decide.
Uses the o...o structure for presenting two options.
Either one
Cualquiera de los dos restaurantes me parece bien.
Either of the two restaurants is fine with me.
Uses cualquiera de los dos to express that either option works.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Tampoco
Double negative confusion
Incorrect: Yo no tampoco quiero ir.
Correct: Yo tampoco quiero ir.
When tampoco comes before the verb, adding no creates a grammatically incorrect double negative; tampoco already contains the negative meaning.
Using también in negative contexts
Incorrect: No me gusta el pescado también.
Correct: No me gusta el pescado tampoco.
También means also in affirmative sentences, but in negative contexts either must be translated as tampoco, not también.
Lock in Either Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Tampoco used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using tampoco in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Yo tampoco quiero ir a esa reunión. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About Either in Spanish
- When do I use tampoco versus también?
- Use también (also/too) for affirmative agreement, as in Yo también quiero ir (I want to go too), and tampoco (either/neither) for negative agreement, as in Yo tampoco quiero ir (I don't want to go either).
- How do I say 'either...or' in Spanish?
- The structure is o...o, as in O vienes conmigo o te quedas meaning Either you come with me or you stay, with each option preceded by o.
- What does 'cualquiera de los dos' mean?
- It translates to either one of the two and is used when presenting two options where the speaker is indifferent or both choices are acceptable, as in Cualquiera de los dos colores está bien meaning Either color is fine.