aparte
/ah-PAR-teh/
aside
Use "aparte" when you are setting something aside.
aparte(adverb)
aside
?setting something to the side
,separately
?doing something individually
apart
?indicating distance or separation
,besides
?as part of the phrase 'aparte de'
📝 In Action
Por favor, deja tu mochila aparte para que no estorbe.
A2Please leave your backpack aside so it doesn't get in the way.
Necesito hablar contigo aparte sobre el proyecto.
B1I need to talk to you separately about the project.
Aparte de la lluvia, el viaje fue perfecto.
A2Apart from the rain, the trip was perfect.
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'Aparte de'
'Aparte de' is a crucial linking phrase that means 'besides' or 'in addition to' when adding things, or 'apart from' when excluding something. It always requires the 'de'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'Aparte' and 'Separado'
Mistake: "Using *'Los libros están muy aparte'* instead of *'Los libros están muy separados'*."
Correction: While *aparte* means 'aside' (adverb), *separado* (adjective) is better for describing the state of things being physically distant from each other.
⭐ Usage Tips
Quick command
Use '¡Aparte!' as a quick way to tell someone to step out of the way or move something aside.
In theater, an aparte is a comment made by a character directly to the audience, which the other characters pretend not to hear.
📝 In Action
Durante la obra, el protagonista hizo un aparte directamente al público.
B1During the play, the protagonist made an aside directly to the audience.
El director tomó nota en un aparte del documento.
B2The director took notes in a separate section of the document.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Check
When used as a noun, aparte is always masculine: 'el aparte' (the aside).
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Context
This meaning is often used in formal or literary critique, referring to a moment when the speaker breaks from the main topic for a brief, private comment.
The adjective aparte means separate or distinct.
📝 In Action
Ese es un tema totalmente aparte que debemos discutir en otra reunión.
B2That is a completely separate topic that we should discuss in another meeting.
Sus opiniones eran aparte de las nuestras.
C1Their opinions were distinct from ours.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective Use
When used as an adjective, aparte usually follows the noun it describes and often means 'distinct' or 'separate,' rather than physical distance.
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Tone
Using aparte this way lends a formal tone. In casual speech, you are more likely to hear separado or diferente.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: aparte
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'aparte' as a noun (meaning a theatrical comment)?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I use 'aparte' or 'separado' when talking about physical distance?
Use 'separado' (separated) when describing things that are physically far from each other (e.g., *Las mesas están separadas*). Use 'aparte' (aside) as an action command (e.g., *Pon esto aparte*) or when listing things ('besides').
How does 'aparte de' work?
'Aparte de' is a fixed phrase used to introduce an exception or an addition. It works like the English phrases 'apart from' or 'in addition to' ('Aparte de Juan, todos vinieron' - Besides Juan, everyone came).