How to Say "approximately" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “approximately” is “aproximadamente” — use 'aproximadamente' for general estimates, particularly when referring to duration, quantity, or time in a straightforward manner..
aproximadamente
/ah-prok-see-mah-dah-MEN-teh//apɾoksiˌmaðamente/
Examples
La reunión durará aproximadamente una hora.
The meeting will last approximately one hour.
Hay aproximadamente cincuenta personas en el auditorio.
There are roughly fifty people in the auditorium.
El costo total será de doscientos euros, aproximadamente.
The total cost will be two hundred euros, approximately.
The '-mente' Adverb Ending
This word ends in '-mente,' which almost always turns an adjective (like 'aproximado') into an adverb, similar to adding '-ly' in English. It tells you how something is done or how much.
Using the Adjective instead of the Adverb
Mistake: “El precio es aproximado 50 dólares.”
Correction: El precio es aproximadamente 50 dólares.
unas
/oo-nahs//ˈunas/
Examples
La reunión empieza en unas dos horas.
The meeting starts in about two hours.
Había unas cincuenta personas en la fila.
There were about fifty people in the line.
El libro cuesta unas veinte libras.
The book costs around twenty pounds.
Making Numbers Less Exact
Place unas right before a number to show that it's just an estimate, not a precise count. It's a super useful way to sound more natural when you're not sure of the exact amount.
Forgetting to Match Gender
Mistake: “Hay un treinta chicas esperando.”
Correction: Hay unas treinta chicas esperando. Even when used with a number, `unas` still has to match the feminine word it's describing (`chicas`).
unos
/oo-nohs//ˈunos/
Examples
El viaje dura unos veinte minutos.
The trip takes about twenty minutes.
La sala tiene espacio para unas cien personas.
The room has space for approximately one hundred people.
Creo que pesa unos cinco kilos.
I think it weighs around five kilos.
Making a Guess
When you put 'unos' (or 'unas') right before a number, it changes its meaning to 'about' or 'approximately'. It's a super easy way to show that you're estimating, not giving an exact figure.
Forgetting to Match the Noun
Mistake: “Hay unos cien sillas en la sala.”
Correction: Hay unas cien sillas en la sala. Even when used for approximation, 'unos/unas' still has to agree with the noun it's connected to. Since 'sillas' (chairs) is feminine, you need to use 'unas'.
digamos
/dee-GAH-mos//diˈɣamos/
Examples
Necesitas, digamos, cinco horas para terminar este proyecto.
You need, let's say, five hours to finish this project.
Fui a la tienda y compré, digamos, pan, leche y huevos.
I went to the store and bought, for example, bread, milk, and eggs.
El vestido es demasiado caro, digamos unos trescientos euros.
The dress is too expensive, approximately three hundred euros.
Using 'Digamos' as a Filler
'Digamos' is used as a pause filler or a hedge word, similar to saying 'like' or 'I guess' in English when you are making a rough estimate or softening a statement.
Overuse in Formal Settings
Mistake: “Using 'digamos' too often in formal writing or presentations.”
Correction: Reserve 'digamos' mainly for spoken Spanish or informal settings. In formal writing, use clearer phrases like 'por ejemplo' or 'aproximadamente'.
sobre
/SO-bray//ˈso.βɾe/
Examples
El precio es sobre cien euros.
The price is about one hundred euros.
El libro está sobre la mesa.
The book is on the table.
Es una película sobre la historia de México.
It's a movie about the history of Mexico.
El avión vuela sobre las nubes.
The plane flies over the clouds.
Using 'sobre' for Location
'Sobre' means 'on top of' something. It's similar to 'en' (on/in), but 'sobre' makes it extra clear that the object is resting on the surface. 'El gato está sobre el coche' means the cat is on top of the car.
Using 'sobre' for Topics
When you want to say 'about' a topic, like in a book or conversation, 'sobre' is a great choice. You can often use 'de' in the same way, but 'sobre' sounds a little more specific. For example, 'un libro sobre piratas' (a book about pirates).
'Sobre' vs. 'En'
Mistake: “Using 'en' when you specifically mean 'on top of'.”
Correction: While 'en la mesa' (on the table) is correct, 'sobre la mesa' emphasizes that it's on the surface, not inside a drawer in the table. Use 'sobre' for clarity.
Formality and Context Confusion
Related Translations
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