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sobra

SOH-brahˈso.βɾa

“sobra” means “is left over” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

is left over, is in excess

Also: is unnecessary
VerbA2regular ar
A single, full bowl of fruit, like apples and oranges, sitting on a counter, implying it is the remaining supply.
infinitivesobrar
gerundsobrando
past Participlesobrado

📝 In Action

Si sobra pastel, lo guardamos para mañana.

A2

If there is cake left over, we'll save it for tomorrow.

No te preocupes, el tiempo nos sobra.

B1

Don't worry, we have plenty of time (time is in excess for us).

Creo que esa silla ya sobra en esta oficina.

B2

I think that chair is unnecessary/extra in this office now.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • sobrar el dinero – to have money to spare
  • sobrar comida – to have leftover food

Idioms & Expressions

  • estar de sobra – to be unnecessary or redundant

leftovers

Also: excess
NounfB1
A clear, rectangular plastic container filled with saved dinner food, such as rice and chicken, sitting inside an open refrigerator.

📝 In Action

¿Puedes empacar las sobras de la cena?

B1

Can you pack up the leftovers from dinner?

No me gusta comer las sobras al día siguiente.

B1

I don't like eating leftovers the next day.

La sobra de tela se puede usar para un parche.

B2

The excess fabric can be used for a patch.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • excedente (surplus)
  • restos (remains, remnants)

Common Collocations

  • comer las sobras – to eat the leftovers
  • la sobra de dinero – the surplus of money

Idioms & Expressions

  • vivir de las sobras – to live off scraps or charity; to live poorly

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/ustedsobra
yosobro
túsobras
ellos/ellas/ustedessobran
nosotrossobramos
vosotrossobráis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedsobraba
yosobraba
túsobrabas
ellos/ellas/ustedessobraban
nosotrossobrábamos
vosotrossobrabais

preterite

él/ella/ustedsobró
yosobré
túsobraste
ellos/ellas/ustedessobraron
nosotrossobramos
vosotrossobrasteis

subjunctive

present

él/ella/ustedsobre
yosobre
túsobres
ellos/ellas/ustedessobren
nosotrossobremos
vosotrossobréis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedsobrara
yosobrara
túsobraras
ellos/ellas/ustedessobraran
nosotrossobráramos
vosotrossobrarais
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "sobra" in Spanish:

excess→is unnecessary→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: sobra

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'sobra' as a noun (leftovers)?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
sobrar(to be left over) — Verb
sobrante(remaining, surplus) — Adjective
sobrado(plentiful, excessive) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Comes from the Latin verb *superare*, meaning 'to be over' or 'to overcome.' In Spanish, it evolved to refer to anything that remains or is in excess after a need has been met.

First recorded: Medieval Latin period

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: sobrarItalian: sopravvanzare

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Frequently Asked Questions

How is 'sobra' different from 'falta'?

'Sobra' means there is too much of something (excess), while 'falta' means there is not enough of something (a lack). They are direct opposites! Example: 'Me sobra comida' (I have too much food) vs. 'Me falta comida' (I need food).

Can I use 'sobra' to mean 'I have plenty'?

Yes, absolutely! The construction 'Me sobra...' is a very natural and common way to express that you have an abundance of something, like time, money, or patience.