mismo

/mees-moh/

Two identical twin boys standing next to each other, both wearing the exact same red t-shirt and blue jeans, smiling.

Just like these twins are wearing the 'same' shirt, 'mismo' is used to say that two or more things are identical.

mismo (Adjective)

mA1

same?identical, not different

📝 In Action

Tenemos el mismo coche.

We have the same car.

Ellas van a la misma escuela.

They go to the same school.

Siempre cometemos los mismos errores.

We always make the same mistakes.

Related Words

Synonyms

idéntico (identical)
igual (equal, same)

Antonyms

diferente (different)
distinto (distinct, different)

Common Collocations

al mismo tiempo – at the same time
del mismo modo – in the same way
la misma historia de siempre – the same old story

💡 Grammar Points

Making it Match

'Mismo' changes to match the person or thing it's describing. Use 'mismo' for masculine singular, 'misma' for feminine singular, 'mismos' for masculine plural, and 'mismas' for feminine plural.

Word Order

When it means 'same', 'mismo' almost always goes before the word it describes, like in 'el mismo día' (the same day).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Forgetting to Make it Match

Mistake: "Tenemos la mismo idea."

Correction: Tenemos la misma idea. (Because 'idea' is feminine, you need to use 'misma'.)

⭐ Usage Tips

Show Agreement

You can use 'pienso lo mismo' (I think the same) or 'digo lo mismo' (I say the same) to quickly agree with someone.

A proud woman pointing to her own chest with both thumbs, with a subtle glow around her to indicate she did something herself.

When you do something 'tú mismo' (yourself), you're the one doing it! 'Mismo' can add emphasis, like saying '-self' in English.

mismo (Adjective)

mA2

-self?for emphasis (myself, yourself, himself, etc.)

Also:the very?e.g., 'the very person'

📝 In Action

Yo mismo preparé la cena.

I prepared the dinner myself.

La directora misma me lo dijo.

The director herself told me.

Puedes hacerlo tú mismo.

You can do it yourself.

Related Words

Common Collocations

yo mismo/a – I myself
él mismo – he himself
ella misma – she herself

💡 Grammar Points

Word Order for Emphasis

To add emphasis, 'mismo' comes right after the person or thing you're highlighting. For example, 'el rey mismo' means 'the king himself'.

Still Needs to Match

Just like the other adjectival use, this 'mismo' must change to match the gender and number of the person it's emphasizing (e.g., 'nosotras mismas' - we ourselves).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Mixing up '-self'

Mistake: "Don't confuse 'yo mismo' (for emphasis) with 'me lavo' (I wash myself). The first adds importance, the second shows an action you do to yourself."

Correction: Use 'mismo' for emphasis ('I did it myself!'), not for daily routine actions ('I showered myself').

A large, bright red arrow pointing directly down at a specific spot on a simple path, indicating 'right here'.

'Aquí mismo' means 'right here,' at this exact spot. Here, 'mismo' pinpoints a time or place, like the word 'right' in 'right now'.

mismo (Adverb)

right?for time or place, e.g., 'right now', 'right here'

Also:exactly?e.g., 'exactly there'

📝 In Action

Necesito el informe ahora mismo.

I need the report right now.

Dejé las llaves aquí mismo, sobre la mesa.

I left the keys right here, on the table.

Mañana mismo te llamo sin falta.

First thing tomorrow I'll call you without fail.

Related Words

Synonyms

justo (just, right)

Common Collocations

ahora mismo – right now
aquí mismo – right here
allí mismo – right there
hoy mismo – this very day

💡 Grammar Points

The Unchanging 'Mismo'

When used like this to emphasize a time or place (e.g., 'ahora', 'aquí'), 'mismo' is an adverb and it never changes. It's always 'mismo', never 'misma' or 'mismos'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Trying to Change It

Mistake: "Vuelvo ahora misma."

Correction: Vuelvo ahora mismo. (When it means 'right now', it doesn't change for gender.)

⭐ Usage Tips

Add Urgency

Adding 'mismo' to words like 'ahora' (now) or 'hoy' (today) makes them stronger and more immediate. 'Ahora' is 'now', but 'ahora mismo' is 'RIGHT now!'

A person in a cafe shrugging their shoulders, with a speech bubble showing 'café o té' and their thought bubble showing 'lo mismo', meaning it's the same to them.

When someone says 'da lo mismo,' it means 'it's all the same to me.' Here, 'lo mismo' acts as a single idea meaning 'the same thing'.

mismo (Pronoun)

the same thing?referring to an action or idea

📝 In Action

No te preocupes, yo habría hecho lo mismo.

Don't worry, I would have done the same thing.

Me da lo mismo si vamos al cine o al parque.

It's all the same to me if we go to the movies or the park.

Siempre dices lo mismo.

You always say the same thing.

Related Words

Common Collocations

dar lo mismo – to be all the same, to not matter
pensar lo mismo – to think the same thing
hacer lo mismo – to do the same thing

Idioms & Expressions

ser más de lo mismo – to be more of the same (usually in a negative, boring way)

💡 Grammar Points

The 'lo' + 'mismo' Combo

This form is almost always used with 'lo' in front of it. 'Lo mismo' acts like a single chunk that means 'the same thing' or 'the same idea'.

⭐ Usage Tips

Expressing Indifference

The phrase 'me da lo mismo' is a perfect, natural way to say 'I don't care' or 'It doesn't matter to me' when choosing between options.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: mismo

Question 1 of 3

Which sentence correctly uses 'mismo' to mean 'right now'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

asimismo(likewise, also) - adverb

mismísimo(the very same, the one and only) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between 'mismo' and 'igual'?

It's tricky! Use 'mismo' when talking about the exact same, single item ('el mismo coche' - we both share one car). Use 'igual' to say two different things are alike or identical ('nuestros coches son iguales' - we each have a car and they are the same model). 'Mismo' often comes before the noun, while 'igual' comes after.

Why is it 'lo mismo' and not 'el mismo' when it means 'the same thing'?

We use 'lo' here because we're not talking about a specific masculine object. 'Lo' is used to talk about abstract ideas or concepts. So, 'lo mismo' refers to 'the same idea' or 'the same action', not a physical thing.

Can I say 'mismamente'?

Yes, you can! 'Mismamente' is a real word and it means 'exactly' or 'precisely'. It's a bit more emphatic and less common in some regions than just using 'mismo' as an adverb ('aquí mismo'), but you will hear it.