How to express agreement or disagreement in Spanish conversation

Hello, Spanish lover!

Imagine this scenario: you’re in that Spanish-speaking country you’ve always dreamed of visiting, enjoying a pleasant conversation with a local. Everything is going great until suddenly, they ask if you agree or disagree with something and… you can’t find the right words! Has that ever happened to you? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Knowing how to express agreement or disagreement in Spanish is a key skill for communicating fluently.

Would you like to learn how? Then keep reading, because in this article I’ll share phrases, tips, and practical examples to help you express your agreement—and, of course, your disagreement—when needed. Let’s get started!

Simple Phrases to Show Agreement

Learning to show agreement or disagreement in Spanish doesn’t have to be complicated. Let’s start with some common expressions you can use when you want to show that you completely agree with someone.

• Estoy de acuerdo. This phrase is simple but very effective! It’s the quickest and easiest way to show your conformity.

Example:
Person A: ¡La película estuvo genial!

Person B: Estoy de acuerdo, realmente se esforzaron

• Tienes razón. This is also quick and direct. You’re telling the other person you feel the same way, like saying: Yes, what you’re saying is true.

Example:
Person A: Está lloviendo mucho, es mejor que no salgamos.

Person B: Tienes razón, no me quiero mojar.

• ¿Para qué digo que no, si sí? I know, this phrase might sound a bit confusing, but it’s a classic in colloquial Spanish. In other words, it means: I can’t deny it, what you’re saying is true. Memorize it!

Example:
Person A: Te conozco, estás esperando con ansias el fin de semana.

Person B: ¿Para qué digo que no, si sí? Ya tengo los planes listos.

• Por supuesto. Quick, precise, and effective. What more do you need? With this phrase, you can clearly show your agreement.

Example:
Person A: Creo que necesitamos un pequeño descanso, ¿no te parece?

Person B: Por supuesto, un poco de tiempo libre no nos hará daño.

How to Say ‘I Disagree’ Without Sounding Harsh

Great! Now you have several examples to show agreement in your Spanish conversations. But what if you don’t agree? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered too. Sometimes showing disagreement can come across as sounding upset, so it’s important to be mindful of your tone. Here are some phrases to express disagreement respectfully:

• Puede ser, pero... This expression is great for showing a difference of opinion without completely invalidating the other person’s point of view.

Example:
Person A: Creo que debí haber empezado a cuidar mi alimentación hace mucho tiempo.

Person B: Puede ser, pero nunca es tarde para empezar, aún puedes hacerlo.

• No estoy tan seguro. This phrase is perfect for showing doubt without sounding aggressive.

Example:
Person A: Ya podemos descansar el resto del día.

Person B:  No estoy tan seguro, nos hace falta más práctica.

• No comparto esa opinión del todo. This is a bit more direct but still respectful.

Example:
Person A: Los domingos son para quedarse en casa y no hacer nada.

Person B: No comparto esa opinión del todo, a veces es bueno salir y realizar actividades al aire libre.

• Creo que podemos verlo desde otra perspectiva. This is a very subtle and respectful way to tell the other person you see things differently and invite them to reconsider their viewpoint.

Example:
Person A:  Creo que ya no deberíamos ir al gimnasio, no estoy viendo resultados.

Person B: Creo que podemos verlo desde otra perspectiva, tal vez necesitamos más tiempo o probar nuevas rutinas más intensas.

Expressing Disagreement Without Losing Kindness

When you express agreement or disagreement in Spanish, it’s crucial to pay attention to your tone, especially when disagreeing. Sometimes, unintentionally, we might come across as a bit harsh. Here are some tips to soften your opinions and avoid misunderstandings:

• Use courteous expressions like “Con todo respeto”, to soften what you’re about to say.

Example:
Con todo respeto, Sra. Johnson, pero creo que podemos verlo desde otra perspectiva.

• Phrases like  “Disculpa, pero”, or “En mi opinión” are also a good way to soften disagreement.

Example:
Disculpa, pero yo lo veo de otra manera.

En mi opinión, esa no es la mejor manera de abordar el tema.

Now you know! Maintaining a polite and respectful tone is key. Use these expressions in your Spanish conversations, and you’ll see how expressing disagreement becomes much easier.

Putting It All Into Practice

You’re doing great! Now you know how to express agreement or disagreement in Spanish in different ways. Here are some exercises to reinforce what you’ve learned. I’ll provide some statements, and you can choose a response of agreement or disagreement using what you just learned:

• If something doesn’t work, it’s better to leave it.
  • What would you respond? Perhaps:
  •   Disculpa, pero no lo veo igual.
  •   Tienes razón, no hay que forzar las cosas.
• Learning a new language takes a lot of time.
  • What would you say? Maybe:
  • ¡Totalmente de acuerdo! Pero es una habilidad muy útil.
  •  Disculpa, pero no comparto la misma opinión. With a good method and a lot of discipline, learning a new language wouldn’t take that long.

Congratulations! Now you know how to express agreement or disagreement in Spanish in different ways and with the appropriate tone depending on the context. With these expressions, your Spanish conversations will flow more naturally, and you’ll sound much more fluent. So next time the opportunity arises, put what you’ve learned into practice and impress everyone! See you next time!