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Phrase · 😏 Irony and understatement

Pues este vino no está nada mal.

Well, this wine isn't bad at all.

C2understatement (praise)informalAudio · coming soon
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Why every word is where it is

Pues3adverbwellestedeterminerthismasc. · sing.vinonounwinemasc. · sing.no1adverbnotestá1verbisestar · present · 3rd sing.nada2adverbat allmal1adverbbad.
  • no → mal: no … nada mal: litotes
  • este → vino: este agrees with vino
  • está → mal: estar + mal (adverb)

Why it's built this way

The notes match the numbers above.

  1. 1
    Understatement (litotes): no está nada mal = it isn't bad at all, i.e. it's really good. Advanced emphatic and exclamative structures →
  2. 2
    nada as an adverb = not at all; with no before the verb the double negative is normal. Indefinites and double negation →
  3. 3
    pues at the start marks a reaction, often mild surprise: well, actually.

Variations

  • Este vino no está nada mal, ¿eh?
  • Pues no está mal este vino.
  • Pues este vino está buenísimo.