Inklingo
← Dictionary

sobre

SO-brayˈso.βɾe

on

Also: about, over, approximately
A pair of glasses resting on top of an open book on a wooden table.

📝 In Action

El libro está sobre la mesa.

A1

The book is on the table.

Es una película sobre la historia de México.

A2

It's a movie about the history of Mexico.

El avión vuela sobre las nubes.

B1

The plane flies over the clouds.

Llegaré sobre las cinco de la tarde.

B1

I will arrive around five in the afternoon.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • encima de (on top of)
  • acerca de (about)

Antonyms

  • debajo de (under)

Common Collocations

  • hablar sobre algo – to talk about something
  • escribir sobre un tema – to write about a topic

envelope

Also: packet, sachet
NounmA1
Spain
A single white mailing envelope, sealed and ready to be sent.

📝 In Action

Puse la carta en el sobre y le pegué un sello.

A1

I put the letter in the envelope and stuck a stamp on it.

¿Me pasas un sobre de azúcar, por favor?

A2

Can you pass me a packet of sugar, please?

Este champú viene en pequeños sobres para viajar.

B1

This shampoo comes in small sachets for traveling.

Word Connections

Common Collocations

  • echar un sobre al buzón – to put an envelope in the mailbox
  • un sobre manila – a manila envelope

Idioms & Expressions

  • recibir un sobre – To receive a bribe or an under-the-table payment.

(that something) is left over

VerbC1regular ar
A single slice of cake is left on a large, otherwise empty serving plate.
infinitivesobrar
gerundsobrando
past Participlesobrado

📝 In Action

Espero que sobre pastel para mañana.

B2

I hope there is cake left over for tomorrow.

No creo que yo sobre en este proyecto; mis ideas son importantes.

C1

I don't think I am redundant in this project; my ideas are important.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • faltar (to be missing, to lack)

🔄 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 →

🔀 Commonly Confused With

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "sobre" in Spanish:

approximately→envelope→on→over→packet→sachet→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: sobre

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'sobre' to mean 'envelope'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
sobrar(to be left over) — Verb
sobresaliente(outstanding) — Adjective
sobretodo(overcoat) — Noun
sobresalto(shock, fright) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

The word 'sobre' has two different origins. The preposition ('on', 'about') comes from the Latin word 'super', which meant 'over' or 'above'. The noun ('envelope') comes from the Latin phrase 'superscriptus', which meant 'written upon', perfectly describing what an envelope is for.

First recorded: 10th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: sobreFrench: surItalian: sopra

💡 Master Spanish

Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between 'sobre', 'en', and 'encima de'?

They can all mean 'on', but with small differences. 'En' is the most general and can mean 'in' or 'on'. 'Sobre' specifically means 'on top of' the surface. 'Encima de' is very similar to 'sobre' and strongly emphasizes 'on top of', often used to contrast with 'debajo de' (underneath).

How do I know if 'sobre' means 'on' or 'about'?

Context is your best friend! If it describes a physical location ('sobre la mesa' - on the table), it means 'on'. If it describes the topic of a book, movie, or conversation ('un libro sobre historia' - a book about history), it means 'about'.