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How to Say "another" in Spanish

English → Spanish

otro

/OH-troh//ˈo.tɾo/

AdjectiveA1General
Use 'otro' when you mean 'an additional one' or 'a different one' of the same kind, like asking for a second cup of coffee or referring to another person in a group.
A person at a cafe table is shown two identical cups of tea; they are pointing to a third, different-looking cup on a tray, indicating a preference for that one.

Examples

¿Quieres otro café?

Do you want another coffee?

Prefiero el otro coche, el azul.

I prefer the other car, the blue one.

Necesito otras llaves para la puerta.

I need other keys for the door.

Matches the Noun's Gender and Number

'Otro' changes to match the thing it describes. Use 'otra' for feminine things (otra casa), 'otros' for masculine plural things (otros libros), and 'otras' for feminine plural things (otras chicas).

Goes Before the Noun

Unlike many Spanish adjectives, 'otro' almost always comes right before the noun it's describing. Think 'otro libro' (another book), not 'libro otro'.

The #1 Mistake: Using 'un' or 'una'

Mistake: “Quiero un otro vaso.”

Correction: Say 'Quiero otro vaso'. In Spanish, 'otro' already includes the idea of 'an' or 'one'. You never need to add 'un' or 'una' before it. Think of 'otro' as meaning 'an-other' all in one word.

nuevo

/nweh-boh//ˈnwebo/

AdjectiveA2General
Use 'nuevo' when 'another' specifically means 'a new' or 'a different' thing that has just been acquired or introduced, often implying it's not just an additional item but a replacement or a fresh addition.
A person smiling while holding a set of keys in front of a pleasant, lived-in house, clearly their new home.

Examples

Tengo un nuevo profesor de español.

I have a new Spanish teacher.

Esta es mi nueva chaqueta. La compré de segunda mano.

This is my new jacket. I bought it second-hand.

Vamos a empezar un nuevo capítulo en nuestras vidas.

We're going to start a new chapter in our lives.

Placement is Key: Before the Noun

When 'nuevo' comes before the thing it describes (like 'mi nuevo coche'), it means it's new to you or different from the one you had before. It could be brand-new, but it could also be used.

Brand-New vs. New-To-Me

Mistake: “Saying 'Tengo un nuevo coche' when you want to emphasize you just bought it from the factory.”

Correction: For a factory-fresh car, say 'Tengo un coche nuevo'. The position after the noun makes it clear it's brand-new. 'Un nuevo coche' just means it's a different car than you had before.

Nuevo vs. Otro

The most common mistake is using 'nuevo' when you simply mean 'an additional' item. Remember, 'otro' is for 'one more' or 'a different one' of the same type, while 'nuevo' implies 'newly acquired' or 'brand new'.

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