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How to Say "besides" in Spanish

English → Spanish

además

adverbA1general
Use 'además' when you want to add a new, separate piece of information or item to a list, similar to 'in addition' or 'furthermore'.

Examples

Quiero un café y, además, una galleta.

I want a coffee and, in addition, a cookie.

aparte

ah-PAR-teh/aˈpaɾte/

adverbA2general
Use 'aparte' primarily within the phrase 'aparte de' to mean 'apart from' or 'besides' when setting something or someone aside, or excluding it from a group.
A cartoon hand gently pushes a red apple out of a basket full of apples, setting it on the table beside the basket.

Examples

Por favor, deja tu mochila aparte para que no estorbe.

Please leave your backpack aside so it doesn't get in the way.

Necesito hablar contigo aparte sobre el proyecto.

I need to talk to you separately about the project.

Aparte de la lluvia, el viaje fue perfecto.

Apart from the rain, the trip was perfect.

Using 'Aparte de'

'Aparte de' is a crucial linking phrase that means 'besides' or 'in addition to' when adding things, or 'apart from' when excluding something. It always requires the 'de'.

Confusing 'Aparte' and 'Separado'

Mistake: “Using *'Los libros están muy aparte'* instead of *'Los libros están muy separados'*.”

Correction: While *aparte* means 'aside' (adverb), *separado* (adjective) is better for describing the state of things being physically distant from each other.

encima

/en-THEE-mah/ (Spain) or /en-SEE-mah/ (Latin America)/enˈθi.ma/ (Spain) or /enˈsi.ma/ (Latin America)

adverbB1informal
Use 'encima' to add a negative or problematic piece of information that makes an already bad situation worse, translating to 'on top of that' or 'what's more'.
A simple cartoon bear struggling to carry a tall, unstable stack of colorful blocks. A single, large raindrop is falling from a small gray cloud directly onto the topmost block, symbolizing an additional problem.

Examples

El coche no arranca y, encima, está lloviendo.

The car won't start and, on top of that, it's raining.

Me ayudó con la mudanza y encima me invitó a cenar.

He helped me with the move and, in addition, he bought me dinner.

Trabajo mucho, gano poco y encima mi jefe me grita.

I work a lot, I earn little, and to make matters worse, my boss yells at me.

Connecting Ideas

This 'encima' connects two ideas, where the second one adds something extra or unexpected. It usually appears at the beginning of the second idea, often followed by a comma.

Using it without a first part

Mistake: “Encima, hace frío.”

Correction: Llegué tarde y, encima, hace frío. This meaning of 'encima' needs a previous statement to add on to. You can't just start a conversation with it.

Confusing 'además' with 'encima'

Learners often use 'además' when the situation calls for 'encima'. Remember that 'además' is for adding neutral or positive information, while 'encima' specifically adds to a negative situation, implying 'on top of it all'.

Related Translations

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