Inklingo
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A simple illustration of four small birds sitting on a tree branch. Three of the birds are identical bluebirds, while the fourth bird is a bright yellow canary, emphasizing that it is different from the rest.

distinto

dees-TEEN-toh

adjectivemA2
different?Not the same
Also:distinct?Clearly separate or unique,separate?Individual or detached

📝 In Action

Mi coche es distinto al tuyo; el mío es rojo.

A2

My car is different from yours; mine is red.

Tenemos gustos muy distintos en música.

B1

We have very different tastes in music.

Hizo la misma pregunta, pero con palabras distintas.

B2

He asked the same question, but with different words.

Hay cuatro tipos distintos de queso en la mesa.

B1

There are four distinct types of cheese on the table.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • muy distinto – very different
  • algo distinto – something different
  • distinto a – different from (used for comparison)

💡 Grammar Points

Gender and Number Agreement

As an adjective, 'distinto' must match the noun it describes. Use 'distinto' (masculine singular), 'distinta' (feminine singular), 'distintos' (masculine plural), or 'distintas' (feminine plural).

Comparing with 'A' or 'DE'

When comparing one item to another, 'distinto' is often followed by the preposition 'a' (distinct to/from) or sometimes 'de' (distinct of/from). Both are common ways to show the difference.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Forgetting Agreement

Mistake: "Compré dos camisas distinto."

Correction: Compré dos camisas distintas. (Because 'camisas' is feminine plural, 'distinto' must also be feminine plural.)

⭐ Usage Tips

Emphasizing Difference

To really highlight a difference, pair it with adverbs like 'completamente' (completely) or 'radicalmente' (radically): 'Es completamente distinto.'

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: distinto

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses the feminine plural form of 'distinto'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

distinguir(to distinguish) - verb
distinción(distinction) - noun
distintivo(distinctive) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'distinto' the same as 'diferente'?

Yes, for most everyday uses, they mean the exact same thing ('different'). 'Distinto' can sometimes imply a clearer, more noticeable separation or uniqueness than 'diferente,' but you can usually use them interchangeably.

How do I use 'distinto' in a sentence where I'm comparing two things?

You can use 'distinto a' or 'distinto de'. For instance: 'Este sabor es distinto al anterior' (This flavor is different from the previous one). Remember to make sure 'distinto' matches the thing you are describing!