no va

doesn't work / doesn't go

→ no

phrase Uncommon #9,391

doesn't work / doesn't go Depending on context, it can mean that something is not functioning, is not going well, is not appropriate, or is not about someone. In expressions like “no va así,” it means “that’s not how it works” or “that’s not how it goes.”

SP: Este plan no va a funcionar.

EN: This plan isn't going to work.

He isn't going.

Mi niño no va a la cárcel.

My boy isn't going to jail.

— Mommy (2014)

Espere un momento, esto no va así.

Wait a moment, that's not how it works.

— El médico de Budapest (2020)

La historia no va contigo, sino con tu hermano, ese idiota.

The story isn't about you, it's about your brother, that idiot.

— Ciudad de Dios (2002)

Pero sé que no va conmigo.

But I know it's not for me.

— Fallen angels (Ángeles caídos) (1995)

Iros, pero el oro no va a ningún lado.

Go ahead and leave, but the gold isn't going anywhere.

— El espinazo del diablo (2001)

Su ropa no va con su edad.

Her clothes don't suit her age.

Nuestro plan no va a ninguna parte.

Our plan isn’t going anywhere.

Tom no va al trabajo el domingo.

Tom doesn't go to work on Sunday.

That won't work.

Mi padre no va hoy a Tokio.

My father is not going to Tokyo today.

Aún no se sabe la razón de por qué no va.

The reason why he's not going is still unknown.

Esta alfombra no va con la cortina.

This rug doesn't match the curtain.

Dices que Lightning no va.

You say Lightning doesn’t work.

— Song Sung Blue - Canción para dos (2025)

Tu plan no va en la línea de nuestra política.

Your plan is not in line with our policy.

Ese abrigo oscuro no va con su tez oscura.

That dark coat doesn't suit her dark complexion.

Este bolso no va con esos zapatos.

This handbag doesn't go with those shoes.

A ese lugar no va gente decente.

Decent people don't go to that place.

Aún no se sabe la razón por la que no va.

The reason why he is not going is still unknown.

Tan sólo no va con mis gustos.

It just isn't to my taste.

Escucha, la gente no va a la cárcel a no ser que quiera ir.

Listen, people don't go to jail unless they want to go.

— Uno de los nuestros (1990)

Tom no va a la oficina los sábados.

Tom doesn’t go to the office on Saturdays.

Pero conmigo eso no va.

But that doesn't work with me.

— Pixote, la ley del más débil (1980)

It doesn't work.

Si no cabe, no va.

If it doesn't fit, it doesn't go.

— Greenland: El último refugio (2020)

No va a ninguna parte.

It’s not going anywhere.

Alphonse, ven, no va por ti.

Alphonse, come on, it's not about you.

— La noche americana (1973)

Bert no va al instituto, ¿verdad?

Bert doesn't go to high school, does he?

Pero tu otro hermano en chirona, no va tan bien.

But your other brother in jail isn't doing so well.

— El odio (1995)

Tom no va a un colegio bueno.

Tom doesn't go to a good school.

La cosa no va así.

That's not how it works.

— Juno (2007)

El verde no va con el rojo.

Green doesn’t go with red.

Mi padre no va siempre andando al trabajo.

My father doesn't always walk to work.

No va a la oficina el sábado.

He/She doesn't go to the office on Saturday.

Aún no se sabe la razón del porqué no va.

The reason why he is not going is still unknown.

Sé que no va tan bien.

I know it’s not going that well.

— Intocable (2011)

Tu Vitya no va a ninguna parte.

Your Vitya isn't going anywhere.

— Elena (2011)

Renato no va a clase.

Renato doesn't go to class.

— Malèna (2000)