Nunca vs. jamás
The Spanish words, 'nunca' and 'jamás', both translate to 'never' in English. However, their usage varies based on tone, formality, and context, and thus subtly differ from each other.
Nunca
'Nunca' generally means 'never', and is often used in everyday informal contexts.
Nunca he visitado España.
(I've never visited Spain.)
Ella nunca come carne.
(She never eats meat.)
Nunca voy a olvidar este día.
(I will never forget this day.)
Jamás
'Jamás' also means 'never', but it carries a more forceful or emphatic tone. It is commonly utilized in formal or poetic contexts, or to emphasize the concept of 'never' strongly.
Jamás volveré a hacerlo.
(I will never do it again.)
Jamás me rendiré.
(I will never give up.)
Él jamás rompería una promesa.
(He would never break a promise.)
Summary
'Nunca' and 'jamás' are Spanish words that both mean 'never', but are used slightly differently. 'Nunca' is commonly used in informal, everyday speech while 'jamás' is used for a greater emphasis on the negation or in more formal or poetic situations.