varios
“varios” means “several” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
several, various
Also: a number of
📝 In Action
Necesito comprar varios libros para la clase de historia.
A1I need to buy several books for the history class.
Varios expertos tienen opiniones distintas sobre el tema.
B1Various experts have different opinions on the topic.
Estuvimos esperando durante varios minutos.
A2We were waiting for a number of minutes.
several (of them)
Also: a few (people)
📝 In Action
¿Cuántos pasteles quedan? Quedan varios, pero no muchos.
A2How many cakes are left? Several are left, but not many.
Llamé a mis amigos, y varios ya estaban de viaje.
B1I called my friends, and several (of them) were already traveling.
🔀 Commonly Confused With
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: varios
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses the feminine form of 'varios'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes directly from the Latin word *varius*, meaning 'different,' 'diverse,' or 'many-sided.' The plural sense of 'several' developed naturally from this root.
First recorded: Medieval Spanish
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'varios' and 'muchos'?
'Varios' means 'several' or 'a number of,' indicating a small to moderate, non-specific quantity (usually 3-10). 'Muchos' means 'many' and suggests a much larger quantity.
Can I use the singular form 'vario'?
The singular form 'vario' exists but is much less common, usually meaning 'various' or 'diverse' when used in specific literary or technical contexts. In daily conversation, always use the plural 'varios' or 'varias' to mean 'several'.