Inklingo

How to Say "extra" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “extra” is “extra” — use this word when you mean 'more than usual' or 'additional' in a general sense, like extra food or an extra person..

English → Spanish

extra

ESS-trah/ˈeks.tɾa/

adjectiveA2general
Use this word when you mean 'more than usual' or 'additional' in a general sense, like extra food or an extra person.
A stack of three regular pancakes with a fourth, slightly larger pancake placed clearly on top, depicting an additional item.

Examples

Necesitamos comprar comida extra para la fiesta.

We need to buy extra food for the party.

Trabajé dos horas extra hoy.

I worked two extra hours today.

Tengo una batería extra en mi mochila.

I have a spare battery in my backpack.

Adjective Placement

Unlike many adjectives, 'extra' almost always goes after the noun it describes: 'tiempo extra' (extra time), not 'extra tiempo'.

Changing the Form

Mistake: “Compramos comidas extras.”

Correction: Compramos comida extra. 'Extra' usually stays the same regardless of whether the noun is singular or plural, masculine or feminine.

adicional

/ah-dee-syoh-NAHL//aðiθjoˈnal/

adjectiveA2general
Use this word when referring to something that is added to a basic amount or quantity, emphasizing the addition itself.
A stack of three red apples with one extra green apple being placed on top.

Examples

Necesito una silla adicional para el invitado.

I need an additional chair for the guest.

¿Hay algún cargo adicional por el envío?

Is there any additional charge for shipping?

Si tienes preguntas adicionales, puedes escribirme.

If you have further questions, you can write to me.

El precio base es cien, más el adicional por el servicio.

The base price is one hundred, plus the extra for the service.

One size fits all

This word doesn't change for gender. Whether you are talking about a boy (masculine) or a girl (feminine), or a car (masculine) or a table (feminine), the word is always 'adicional'.

Word Order

In Spanish, 'adicional' almost always comes after the thing you are describing, unlike in English where we say 'additional information'.

Turning Adjectives into Nouns

In Spanish, you can often put 'el' or 'un' in front of an adjective like 'adicional' to turn it into a noun meaning 'the extra thing'.

The 'Adicionala' Error

Mistake: “una página adicionala”

Correction: una página adicional. Words ending in -al in Spanish don't change to -a for feminine things.

agregado

/ah-greh-GAH-doh//aɣɾeˈɣaðo/

adjectiveA2general
Use this word for things that are added as ingredients or supplementary components, especially when talking about food or substances.
A single colorful building block being placed on top of a larger stack of blocks.

Examples

Este yogur no tiene azúcar agregado.

This yogurt has no added sugar.

Es importante el valor agregado del producto.

The added value of the product is important.

Hay un párrafo agregado al final de la página.

There is a paragraph added at the end of the page.

Matching the Noun

Since this acts as a description word, its ending changes to 'agregada' if the thing you are describing is feminine, like 'información agregada' (added information).

The '-ado' ending

This word is the 'past participle' of the verb 'agregar' (to add). Think of it as the Spanish version of the '-ed' ending in English.

Added vs. Attached

Mistake: “Using 'agregado' for email attachments.”

Correction: Use 'adjunto' for email files. Use 'agregado' when something is mixed in or joined to a whole.

repetido

/reh-peh-TEE-doh//re.pe.ˈti.ðo/

adjectiveB1general
Use this word specifically when referring to a duplicate or a spare item that you already possess, often in the context of collecting or trading.
Two identical blue toy cars placed side by side.

Examples

Tengo este cromo repetido, ¿quieres cambiarlo?

I have this sticker repeated (a duplicate), do you want to trade it?

No compres ese libro, ya lo tenemos repetido en casa.

Don't buy that book, we already have a duplicate at home.

Dame tus repetidos y yo te doy los míos.

Give me your duplicates and I'll give you mine.

Using it as a noun

Sometimes people drop the noun and just say 'un repetido' to mean 'a duplicate item', especially when trading cards or stickers.

Using 'double' instead

Mistake: “Tengo un cromo doble.”

Correction: Tengo un cromo repetido.

reforzado

/reh-for-SAH-doh//reforˈsaðo/

adjectiveB2general
Use this word when 'extra' implies increased strength, support, or security, such as reinforced security or a reinforced structure.
A large, thick stone wall protecting a small house from a heavy rainstorm.

Examples

Hay una vigilancia reforzada en el aeropuerto por el evento.

There is increased surveillance at the airport because of the event.

Tras la crisis, su autoridad salió reforzada.

After the crisis, his authority came out strengthened.

Necesitas un apoyo reforzado para terminar este proyecto a tiempo.

You need extra support to finish this project on time.

Abstract Strengthening

Even though it sounds physical, you can use 'reforzado' for invisible things like ideas, security, or positions in a company.

Don't confuse with 'mayor'

Mistake: “La seguridad es más reforzada.”

Correction: La seguridad está reforzada.

adicional

/ah-dee-syoh-NAHL//aðiθjoˈnal/

nounB2general
Use this noun to refer to an extra charge, fee, or a supplementary item that costs more.
A stack of three red apples with one extra green apple being placed on top.

Examples

El precio base es cien, más el adicional por el servicio.

The base price is one hundred, plus the extra for the service.

Necesito una silla adicional para el invitado.

I need an additional chair for the guest.

¿Hay algún cargo adicional por el envío?

Is there any additional charge for shipping?

Si tienes preguntas adicionales, puedes escribirme.

If you have further questions, you can write to me.

One size fits all

This word doesn't change for gender. Whether you are talking about a boy (masculine) or a girl (feminine), or a car (masculine) or a table (feminine), the word is always 'adicional'.

Word Order

In Spanish, 'adicional' almost always comes after the thing you are describing, unlike in English where we say 'additional information'.

Turning Adjectives into Nouns

In Spanish, you can often put 'el' or 'un' in front of an adjective like 'adicional' to turn it into a noun meaning 'the extra thing'.

The 'Adicionala' Error

Mistake: “una página adicionala”

Correction: una página adicional. Words ending in -al in Spanish don't change to -a for feminine things.

General vs. Specific Addition

Learners often use 'extra' or 'adicional' interchangeably for any kind of addition. Remember that 'extra' is for general 'more than usual,' while 'adicional' specifically means 'added to a base amount,' and 'agregado' is for ingredients or supplementary parts.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.