sobretodovssobre todo
/soh-breh-TOH-doh/
/soh-breh TOH-doh/
💡 Quick Rule
Sobretodo (one word) is a thing (an overcoat). Sobre todo (two words) is an idea (above all).
If you can WEAR it, it's ONE word. If you're STRESSING a point, it's TWO.
📊 Comparison Table
| Context | sobretodo | sobre todo | Why? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Giving Advice | Necesitas un sobretodo para la lluvia. | Necesitas abrigo y, sobre todo, un paraguas. | One is a specific item (the coat). The other emphasizes the most important item (the umbrella). |
| Expressing Preference | Mi sobretodo favorito es el negro. | Me gusta la ropa negra, sobre todo los abrigos. | One refers to a specific object you own. The other highlights a preference within a category. |
| Shopping | ¿Cuánto cuesta ese sobretodo? | Busco algo abrigado, sobre todo de lana. | One is asking about a specific noun (the coat). The other is specifying a characteristic ('especially' wool). |
✅ When to Use "sobretodo" / sobre todo
sobretodo
A noun meaning 'overcoat' or 'raincoat'. It's a piece of clothing.
/soh-breh-TOH-doh/
Referring to an overcoat
Ponte el sobretodo, que hace frío.
Put on your overcoat, it's cold.
Describing a type of coat
Compré un sobretodo de lana muy elegante.
I bought a very elegant wool overcoat.
As the subject/object in a sentence
Mi sobretodo está en el armario.
My overcoat is in the closet.
sobre todo
An adverbial phrase meaning 'above all', 'especially', or 'most importantly'.
/soh-breh TOH-doh/
To emphasize one thing in a group
Me gustan las verduras, sobre todo el brócoli.
I like vegetables, especially broccoli.
To highlight the most important piece of advice
Estudia mucho y, sobre todo, duerme bien antes del examen.
Study a lot and, above all, sleep well before the exam.
To specify a main reason or feeling
Disfruto el invierno, sobre todo por la nieve.
I enjoy winter, especially because of the snow.
🔄 Contrast Examples
With "sobretodo":
Hablamos del sobretodo.
We talked about the overcoat.
With "sobre todo":
Hablamos de sobre todo.
We talked about everything.
The Difference: This is a fantastic example of the difference. As one word, it's a specific object. As two words ('de sobre todo'), it means 'about everything'. The meaning is completely different.
With "sobretodo":
Quiero escribir un artículo sobre el sobretodo.
I want to write an article about the overcoat.
With "sobre todo":
Quiero escribir un artículo sobre todo.
I want to write an article about everything.
The Difference: Again, the space dramatically changes the topic of the article from a specific piece of fashion to a philosophical piece about all of existence.
🎨 Visual Comparison
A split-screen showing a person wearing an overcoat versus a person emphasizing a point in a list.
'Sobretodo' is a thing you wear. 'Sobre todo' is a way you emphasize.
⚠️ Common Mistakes
Me encanta el chocolate, sobretodo el negro.
Me encanta el chocolate, sobre todo el negro.
When you mean 'especially', you must use two separate words. 'Sobretodo' is an overcoat, which doesn't make sense here.
No olvides tu sobre todo, parece que va a llover.
No olvides tu sobretodo, parece que va a llover.
The piece of clothing is always one word. Using two words here would sound like 'don't forget your above all'.
📚 Related Grammar
Want to understand the grammar behind this pair? Explore these lessons for a deep dive:
🏷️ Key Words
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: Sobretodo vs Sobre todo
Question 1 of 2
Complete the sentence: Me gustan los deportes, ___ el fútbol.
🏷️ Tags
Frequently Asked Questions
Do they sound exactly the same when spoken?
Yes, they are pronounced identically. The only way to know the difference when listening is from the context of the sentence. This is why it's so important to get them right in writing!
Is 'sobretodo' a common word for a coat?
It's a correct and understood word, but in many regions, people are more likely to use 'abrigo' (coat), 'impermeable' (raincoat), or 'gabardina' (trench coat) in everyday speech. However, 'sobretodo' is still widely used in literature and more formal contexts.