total
/toh-TAHL/
total
The word 'total' used as an adjective means complete or absolute, like a fully colored circle.
📝 In Action
Hubo una destrucción total de la casa por el fuego.
A2There was a total destruction of the house due to the fire.
Necesitas tener fe total en tu equipo.
B1You need to have complete faith in your team.
El costo total de la reparación fue de 500 euros.
A1The total cost of the repair was 500 euros.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective Form
Unlike many Spanish adjectives, 'total' always stays the same regardless of whether the noun it describes is masculine or feminine (e.g., 'el gasto total' and 'la suma total').
⭐ Usage Tips
Placement
When used in the sense of 'complete' or 'absolute,' 'total' usually comes after the noun it describes: 'un desastre total' (a complete disaster).
As a noun, 'total' refers to the final sum or amount, visualized by many small parts forming one large stack.
total(noun)
total
?the final sum or amount
,sum
?the result of addition
whole
?the entire quantity
📝 In Action
¿Cuál es el total de la cuenta, por favor?
A2What is the total amount of the bill, please?
Necesitamos alcanzar un total de 100 puntos para ganar.
B1We need to reach a total of 100 points to win.
Hemos reunido el total requerido.
B2We have gathered the required total.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Masculine
When 'total' is used as a noun meaning 'the sum' or 'the whole amount,' it is always masculine: 'el total'.
Used as an adverb, 'total' can mean 'anyway' or 'in any case', often used to resume or conclude a topic, like a path that returns to its main direction.
total(adverb)
anyway
?to resume or conclude a topic
,after all
?to introduce a decisive reason
so
?introducing a summary or consequence
📝 In Action
No puedo ir a la fiesta. Total, ya es muy tarde.
B2I can't go to the party. Anyway, it's already very late.
No me importa si llueve, total, vamos en coche.
C1I don't care if it rains; after all, we are going by car.
Total, si no funciona, lo intentamos otra vez.
C1So, if it doesn't work, we'll try again.
💡 Grammar Points
Conversational Function
Used as a conversational connector, 'Total' often signals that the speaker is summarizing their opinion or moving past an argument because the outcome is fixed or obvious.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Register Use
Mistake: "Using 'total' this way in formal writing or a business meeting."
Correction: Reserve this usage for talking with friends or in relaxed settings. Use 'de todas formas' or 'en resumen' for formal situations.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: total
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'total' in its informal, conversational sense of 'anyway' or 'after all'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'total' ever change its ending to agree with feminine nouns?
No. When 'total' is used as an adjective (meaning complete or absolute), it is one of the few words that remains the same regardless of whether the noun is masculine or feminine. You always use 'total'.
Can I use 'total' instead of 'todo' (all)?
They are related but used differently. 'Todo' usually means 'all of' or 'every,' while 'total' emphasizes completeness or the final sum. For example, 'todos los días' (all the days/every day) is used instead of 'días totales'.