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No Hay Pero Que Valga
No excuses, no objections, and no getting out of it.
A child has been asked to put away the tablet and do their homework. The answer starts with a familiar excuse:
—Pero todavía no termina la película.
But the movie isn’t over yet.
—No hay pero que valga. Primero la tarea.
No buts. Homework first.
No hay pero que valga means “no buts” or “no excuses.” The speaker has made a decision and is not accepting reasons to change it. You can keep explaining, but you are probably not getting anywhere.
A “but” you can count
You already know pero as “but.” Spanish also uses un pero as a noun: an objection, a drawback, or a catch.
El departamento me encanta. Solo le veo un pero: el precio.
I love the apartment. I see just one drawback: the price.
In no hay pero que valga, the idea is that no objection will be accepted. Your reason might be understandable. The answer is still the same.
Tienes que entregar el trabajo hoy. No hay pero que valga.
You have to turn in the work today. No excuses.
Poner peros: finding a problem with everything
You suggest tacos, but the place is too far. Pizza? Too bulky. Sushi? Too expensive. Your friend has not suggested anywhere to eat, but somehow every option is wrong.
No le pongas peros a todo. ¿Dónde quieres comer?
Stop finding something wrong with everything. Where do you want to eat?
Poner peros or ponerle peros a algo means to raise objections or find fault. It often suggests that someone is being difficult rather than helping solve the problem.
Siempre le pone peros a mis ideas.
He always finds fault with my ideas.
Not every objection is an excuse, of course. Saying an apartment is too expensive may be sensible. Rejecting every apartment over some tiny detail is more likely to earn you a “Le pones peros a todo.”
Other versions you will hear
| Expression | Meaning and tone |
|---|---|
| No hay peros. | No buts. No excuses. Short and firm. |
| Sin peros. | No ifs, ands, or buts. |
| No me vengas con peros. | Don’t give me excuses. More personal, and often annoyed. |
| Siempre hay un pero. | There’s always a “but.” Said when the objections keep coming. |
| A todo le pone peros. | They find something wrong with everything. |
A friend might say:
Vienes a mi cumpleaños y no hay pero que valga.
You’re coming to my birthday party. No excuses.
With a smile, that can sound like an affectionate way of saying, “I really want you there.” A boss saying the same thing about working Saturday is another matter.
The expression is not vulgar, but it is blunt. It closes the discussion rather than inviting someone to explain their side. Among friends it can be playful; during an argument it may sound impatient or controlling.
And if someone says “No me vengas con peros” before you have even finished your sentence, they are probably not waiting for the rest of your explanation.
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