restos

/RESS-tohs/

leftovers

A white ceramic dinner plate sitting on a table, holding a few small scraps of uneaten food, like crumbs and a few vegetable pieces.

Restos, meaning leftovers, refers to the food remaining after a meal.

restos(noun)

mA2

leftovers

food or meal remnants

Also:

remains

general debris, material scraps

scraps

small pieces of something

📝 In Action

Por favor, guarda los restos de la pizza para mañana.

Please save the pizza leftovers for tomorrow.

Tuvimos que limpiar los restos de la tormenta en el jardín.

We had to clean up the remains of the storm in the garden.

Word Connections

Synonyms

sobras (leftovers (especially food))

Common Collocations

restos de comida – food scraps/leftovers
restos de obra – construction debris

💡 Grammar Points

Always Plural

When talking about physical scraps or food, 'restos' is almost always used in the plural form, even though its base word ('resto') is singular.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing 'Resto' and 'Restos'

Mistake: "Me comí el resto."

Correction: Me comí los restos. ('El resto' means 'the rest of the group/amount,' while 'los restos' means 'the physical pieces/scraps.')

⭐ Usage Tips

Using 'Restos' vs. 'Sobras'

'Restos' is a little more formal and can refer to any kind of material, while 'sobras' is usually only used for food leftovers.

Stylized illustration of a few large, clean white bones partially buried in brown earth, suggesting ancient remains.

Restos can mean remains, often referring to mortal remains or the body of the deceased.

restos(noun)

mB1

remains

mortal remains, body of the deceased

Also:

ashes

cremated remains

human remains

archaeological finds

📝 In Action

Los restos del poeta fueron trasladados a un mausoleo nacional.

The poet's remains were moved to a national mausoleum.

El arqueólogo descubrió restos óseos muy antiguos.

The archaeologist discovered very ancient skeletal remains.

Word Connections

Synonyms

cadáver (corpse)
cenizas (ashes)

Common Collocations

restos mortales – mortal remains

💡 Grammar Points

Solemn Usage

This meaning is almost always used in formal or serious writing, such as news reports or historical documents.

A crumbling, weathered stone column fragment standing upright in a grassy field under a blue sky, symbolizing historical ruins.

When referring to historical fragments, restos translates to remnants or ruins.

restos(noun)

mB2

remnants

historical ruins or fragments

Also:

vestiges

signs of a past event or feeling

traces

small remaining signs

📝 In Action

Solo quedan restos de la civilización perdida en esta zona.

Only remnants of the lost civilization remain in this area.

Aún se veían restos de nieve en las cimas de las montañas.

Traces of snow could still be seen on the mountain tops.

Word Connections

Synonyms

vestigios (vestiges)
ruinas (ruins)

Common Collocations

restos arqueológicos – archaeological remains

💡 Grammar Points

Figurative Use

You can use 'restos' to describe the 'remnants' of abstract things, like feelings, memories, or political structures.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: restos

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence correctly uses 'restos' to mean physical fragments or leftovers?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

resto(the rest (singular amount or group)) - noun

restar(to subtract, to remain) - verb

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'resto' and 'restos'?

'El resto' (singular) means 'the remaining quantity, amount, or group' (e.g., 'the rest of the day,' 'the rest of the people'). 'Los restos' (plural) means 'physical fragments, debris, leftovers, or mortal remains.'

Can I use 'resto' to talk about a single leftover piece of food?

It's much more natural to use the plural 'restos' or 'una sobra' (a leftover piece) even if you are only talking about one thing, because the word implies a collection of pieces left over from the whole.