distintos
/dis-TIN-tohs/
different
When used as an adjective, 'distintos' means different or 'not the same'.
distintos(Adjective)
different
?not the same
,separate
?individually distinct
various
?a range of types
📝 In Action
Ellos tienen gustos musicales completamente distintos.
A2They have completely different musical tastes.
Necesitamos dos proyectos distintos para la presentación.
B1We need two separate projects for the presentation.
Los resultados fueron distintos a lo que esperábamos.
B1The results were different from what we were expecting.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective Agreement
Since 'distintos' ends in '-os', it must describe masculine plural nouns, like 'libros' (books) or 'colores' (colors). If you were describing feminine things (like 'casas'), you would use 'distintas'.
Placement
'Distintos' usually goes after the noun it describes, which makes the difference feel more objective or defining: 'problemas distintos' (different problems).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting Plurality
Mistake: "Los zapatos son distinto."
Correction: Los zapatos son distintos. (If you are describing plural things (zapatos), the adjective must also be plural.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Emphasizing Uniqueness
While 'diferentes' is common, 'distintos' often carries a stronger sense of being separate, unique, or clearly recognizable.
As a noun, 'distintos' refers to 'different ones' (masculine plural).
distintos(Noun)
different ones
?replacing a masculine plural noun
,various things
?referring to a range of unknown items
📝 In Action
Ya probé esos, pero quiero ver los distintos.
B2I already tried those, but I want to see the different ones (the other ones).
No sé qué elegir, todos son distintos.
C1I don't know what to choose, they are all different (things).
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective Acting as Noun
Like in English, adjectives in Spanish can sometimes stand alone when the thing they describe is obvious. Here, 'los distintos' means 'the distinct items/things' that were previously mentioned.
⭐ Usage Tips
Context is Key
Using 'distintos' as a noun is only possible if the listener already knows what type of thing (e.g., shirts, cars, ideas) you are referring to.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: distintos
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'distintos' to agree with the noun?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'distintos' and 'diferentes'?
They are often interchangeable. However, 'distintos' often emphasizes a quality of being unique, separate, or clearly set apart, while 'diferentes' is the more general term for 'not the same.'
How do I know when to use 'distintos' versus 'distintas'?
The ending must match the gender of the thing you are describing. If you are describing masculine plural nouns (like 'libros' or 'trabajos'), use 'distintos'. If you are describing feminine plural nouns (like 'mesas' or 'opiniones'), use 'distintas'.