mismos
/mís-mos/
the same
When describing two or more masculine things that are identical, mismos means 'the same'.
📝 In Action
Queremos los mismos resultados que el mes pasado.
A1We want the same results as last month.
Ellos viven en los mismos apartamentos.
A1They live in the same apartments.
Son los mismos errores de siempre.
A2They are the same mistakes as always.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Agrees
As an adjective, 'mismos' must match the noun it describes in number (plural) and gender (masculine). You use 'mismos' for masculine plural nouns.
Requires 'The'
When meaning 'the same,' 'mismos' almost always follows the definite article 'los' (los mismos problemas, los mismos días).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'iguales' incorrectly
Mistake: "Tenemos problemas iguales."
Correction: Tenemos los mismos problemas. ('Iguales' means similar, 'mismos' means identical/one and the same.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Quick Substitution
If you can replace 'the same' with 'the identical' in English, use 'mismos' (or its correct form: mismo, misma, mismas).
Used as a pronoun, mismos can emphasize that a group of masculine subjects are the agents of the action, meaning 'themselves'.
mismos(Pronoun)
themselves
?emphasis/reflexive
the very
?to emphasize location or time
,right
?when emphasizing location, e.g., 'right here'
📝 In Action
Ellos mismos hicieron todo el trabajo.
B1They themselves did all the work.
Los documentos estaban allí mismos, sobre la mesa.
B2The documents were right there, on the table.
Hablamos con los autores mismos.
B2We spoke with the authors themselves.
💡 Grammar Points
Intensive Use
When used for emphasis, 'mismos' always comes immediately after the noun or pronoun it is intensifying (e.g., nosotros mismos, los estudiantes mismos).
The 'Very' Location
If you want to say 'right here' or 'right there,' you often combine 'mismo' with adverbs of place like 'aquí,' 'allí,' or 'ahí,' but in this plural form, it usually emphasizes 'right there/those places' (allí mismos).
⭐ Usage Tips
Using the Reflexive Pronoun
To be very formal or clear, you can pair the intensive pronoun with a reflexive phrase: 'Lo hicieron por sí mismos' (They did it for themselves).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: mismos
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'mismos' to emphasize the subject ('they themselves')?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I use 'los mismos' or 'iguales'?
Use 'los mismos' when referring to something that is one and the same (identical or belonging to the same single set): 'We read the same books' (Los mismos libros). Use 'iguales' when two separate things are simply similar: 'The books are similar' (Los libros son iguales).
What is the difference between 'mismo' and 'mismos'?
'Mismo' is the single form (e.g., 'el mismo coche' - the same car), while 'mismos' is the plural form (e.g., 'los mismos coches' - the same cars). They must always match the noun they refer to.