How to Say "equal" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “equal” is “igual” — use 'igual' as an adjective when comparing quantities, values, or rights between two or more things or people, or when stating that things are the same..
igual
/ee-GWAL//iˈɣwal/
Examples
Tú y yo tenemos la misma edad, somos iguales.
You and I are the same age, we are equals.
Estos dos vestidos son casi iguales.
These two dresses are almost the same.
Todos los ciudadanos tienen iguales derechos.
All citizens have equal rights.
Como su jefe, no puede tratarlo como a un igual.
As his boss, he cannot treat him as an equal.
Making it Plural
Like many adjectives, 'igual' changes for plural things. Add '-es' to talk about more than one item: el problema igual (the same problem), los problemas iguales (the same problems).
Comparing with 'a' or 'que'
When you say something is 'the same as' something else, you can use either 'igual a' or 'igual que'. Both are very common. Mi coche es igual al tuyo. or Mi coche es igual que el tuyo.
Gender Flexibility
Although the dictionary form is masculine (el igual), you can use it for anyone. You might see una igual for a female peer, but it's common to use un igual for everyone when speaking generally.
'igual' vs. 'mismo'
Mistake: “Usar 'igual' cuando quieres decir 'the very same one'.”
Correction: Use `mismo/a` before a noun to mean 'the very same object' (`Vivimos en la misma casa` - We live in the same house). Use `igual` to say two different things are alike (`Nuestras casas son iguales` - Our houses are the same).
igual
Examples
Como su jefe, no puede tratarlo como a un igual.
As his boss, he cannot treat him as an equal.
iguales
ee-GWAH-les/iˈɣwales/
Examples
Todos los estudiantes tienen oportunidades iguales.
All the students have equal opportunities.
Mis zapatos nuevos son exactamente iguales a los viejos.
My new shoes are exactly the same as the old ones.
Si los resultados son iguales, ¿qué hacemos?
If the results are the same, what do we do?
Gender Doesn't Change
Unlike most Spanish adjectives, 'igual' (and 'iguales') is used for both masculine and feminine nouns. You only need to worry about making it plural.
Use with 'Ser'
You almost always use 'iguales' with the verb 'ser' (to be) to state that two things share the same quality or identity: 'Ellas son iguales.'
Confusing Ser and Estar
Mistake: “Mis padres están iguales.”
Correction: Mis padres son iguales. (Use 'ser' because equality is a fixed characteristic, not a temporary state.)
mismos
/mís-mos//ˈmismos/
Examples
Queremos los mismos resultados que el mes pasado.
We want the same results as last month.
Ellos viven en los mismos apartamentos.
They live in the same apartments.
Son los mismos errores de siempre.
They are the same mistakes as always.
Always Agrees
As an adjective, 'mismos' must match the noun it describes in number (plural) and gender (masculine). You use 'mismos' for masculine plural nouns.
Requires 'The'
When meaning 'the same,' 'mismos' almost always follows the definite article 'los' (los mismos problemas, los mismos días).
Using 'iguales' incorrectly
Mistake: “Tenemos problemas iguales.”
Correction: Tenemos los mismos problemas. ('Iguales' means similar, 'mismos' means identical/one and the same.)
par
/pahr//paɾ/
Examples
El director lo trataba como a un par, no como a un empleado.
The director treated him as a peer, not as an employee.
Su talento no tiene par en el mundo de la música.
Her talent has no equal in the world of music.
Confusing 'igual' with 'mismo'
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