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sobrar

so-BRAR/soˈβɾaɾ/

“sobrar” means “to be left over” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

to be left over, to have extra

Also: to be more than enough
VerbA2regular ar
A single slice of pizza sitting alone in an open cardboard box on a wooden table.
gerundsobrando
past Participlesobrado
infinitivesobrar

📝 In Action

Sobró mucha pizza de la cena de ayer.

A1

There was a lot of pizza left over from dinner yesterday.

Me sobran diez euros después de comprar el libro.

A2

I have ten euros left over after buying the book.

Si te sobra tiempo, ¿puedes ayudarme?

B1

If you have extra time, can you help me?

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • faltar (to be missing / to lack)

Common Collocations

  • sobrar tiempo – to have time to spare
  • sobrar dinero – to have money left over
  • sobrar comida – to have food left over

Idioms & Expressions

  • sobrar ganas – to be very eager or motivated

to be in the way, to be uncalled for

Also: to be one too many
A person trying to walk through a narrow doorway that is blocked by a large, bulky armchair.

📝 In Action

Siento que sobro en esta conversación.

B2

I feel like I'm one too many in this conversation.

Ese comentario ofensivo sobraba.

C1

That offensive comment was uncalled for.

Aquí no sobra nadie; todos son bienvenidos.

B2

Nobody is in the way here; everyone is welcome.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • hacer falta (to be needed)

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedessobraran
yosobrara
túsobraras
vosotrossobrarais
nosotrossobráramos
él/ella/ustedsobrara

present

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

indicative

preterite

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

imperfect

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

present

ellos/ellas/ustedessobran
yosobro
túsobras
vosotrossobráis
nosotrossobramos
él/ella/ustedsobra
View All Tenses & Moods →

🔀 Commonly Confused With

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: sobrar

Question 1 of 3

How would you say 'I have five euros left over'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
sobre(envelope / over) — Noun
sobrante(leftover / surplus) — Noun
sobrado(arrogant / plenty) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'superare,' which means to overcome, rise above, or be in excess.

First recorded: 12th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: superFrench: sombrer

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'sobrar' and 'quedar'?

'Quedar' simply means to remain. 'Sobrar' implies that there is more than enough or that it is an excess.

Can I use 'sobrar' for people?

Yes, but be careful! If you say someone 'sobra,' you are saying they are not needed or are in the way.

Is 'sobrado' related?

Yes, 'sobrado' can mean 'plenty' as an adverb, but it is often used as an adjective for a person who is 'too much' or arrogant.