Inklingo

How to Say "adds" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “adds” is “echa” — use 'echa' when referring to the physical act of adding an ingredient or substance to something else, like in cooking or mixing..

English → Spanish

echa

EH-chah/ˈe.tʃa/

verbA1informal
Use 'echa' when referring to the physical act of adding an ingredient or substance to something else, like in cooking or mixing.
A cartoon hand gently placing a colorful wooden block onto a flat surface.

Examples

Ella siempre echa azúcar al café.

She always adds sugar to her coffee.

El camarero echa agua en mi vaso.

The waiter pours water into my glass.

Usted echa la llave en la mesa antes de salir.

You (formal) put the key on the table before leaving.

Form and Use

This form, 'echa,' is what 'he, she, or it' does right now (present tense). It is also the informal command for 'you' (tú): 'Echa la sal' (Add the salt!).

suma

/SOO-mah//ˈsu.ma/

verbA1
Use 'suma' when referring to the result of a calculation or when a device performs a mathematical addition.
A storybook illustration of a stylized cartoon bear adding a single red block to an already existing stack of blue and yellow blocks.

Examples

Mi calculadora suma muy rápido.

My calculator adds very quickly.

El profesor nos dice: 'Suma estos puntos para ver tu nota'.

The professor tells us: 'Add these points to see your grade.' (command)

El esfuerzo de todos suma al resultado final.

Everyone's effort adds to the final result.

Two Uses of 'Suma'

'Suma' is used for 'he/she/it adds' (Present Tense) and also for the informal command 'Add!' (when talking to 'tú').

Confusing the Verb and Noun

Mistake: “Using 'el suma' when referring to the total.”

Correction: Remember the noun is feminine: 'la suma' (the total). The verb form 'suma' is masculine/feminine neutral: 'él suma' (he adds).

Physical vs. Mathematical Addition

The most common mistake is using 'suma' for physical actions like adding ingredients. Remember: 'echa' is for physically putting something into a mixture, while 'suma' is strictly for math.

Related Translations

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