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mismo

mees-mohˈmizmo

same

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

📝 In Action

Tenemos el mismo coche.

A1

We have the same car.

Ellas van a la misma escuela.

A1

They go to the same school.

Siempre cometemos los mismos errores.

A2

We always make the same mistakes.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • idéntico (identical)
  • igual (equal, same)

Antonyms

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

-self

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

📝 In Action

Yo mismo preparé la cena.

A2

I prepared the dinner myself.

La directora misma me lo dijo.

B1

The director herself told me.

Puedes hacerlo tú mismo.

A2

You can do it yourself.

Word Connections

Common Collocations

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

right

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

📝 In Action

Necesito el informe ahora mismo.

A2

I need the report right now.

Dejé las llaves aquí mismo, sobre la mesa.

A2

I left the keys right here, on the table.

Mañana mismo te llamo sin falta.

B1

First thing tomorrow I'll call you without fail.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

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

the same thing

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.

📝 In Action

No te preocupes, yo habría hecho lo mismo.

B1

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

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

B1

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

Siempre dices lo mismo.

A2

You always say the same thing.

Word Connections

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)

🔀 Commonly Confused With

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "mismo" in Spanish:

exactly→right→same→the very→

✏️ 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
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Comes from a Vulgar Latin superlative form *metipsimus*, a very emphatic way of saying 'the very same self'. This came from the Latin words 'met' (an emphatic particle) and 'ipse' (self). Over time, it shortened and smoothed out into the Spanish 'mismo'.

First recorded: Around the 10th century.

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: mesmoItalian: medesimoFrench: même

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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.