Inklingo

How to Say "i add" in Spanish

English → Spanish

echo

é-choˈeʧo

verbA2
Use 'echo' when you are adding ingredients or a liquid to a recipe or dish.
A close-up illustration of a hand dropping a single coin into a small, open wooden box.

Examples

Echo sal y pimienta a la ensalada.

I add salt and pepper to the salad.

Echo un poco de aceite a la sartén.

I put a little oil in the frying pan.

Echo una moneda en la máquina de café.

I put (drop) a coin in the coffee machine.

Replacing 'Poner'

In many contexts, especially when adding ingredients, 'echo' (from 'echar') is used instead of 'pongo' (from 'poner'). Think of it as 'tossing it in'.

sumo

SOO-mohˈsumo

verbA1
Use 'sumo' when you are performing a mathematical addition or combining things in a more abstract or general sense.
A hand placing a single red apple next to another red apple on a wooden table.

Examples

Sumo dos más dos para obtener cuatro.

I add two plus two to get four.

Yo sumo los ingredientes a la mezcla uno por uno.

I add the ingredients to the mix one by one.

Siempre sumo mis gastos al final del mes.

I always add up my expenses at the end of the month.

Me sumo a la propuesta de mis compañeros.

I join (add myself to) my colleagues' proposal.

Direct Action

When you are adding numbers or items, you don't need a preposition. Just say 'Sumo los números' (I add the numbers).

Joining a Group

If you want to say 'I am joining' an idea or a group, use the reflexive 'me sumo a' followed by the thing you are joining.

Sumo vs. Zumo

Mistake: “Quiero un sumo de naranja.”

Correction: Quiero un zumo de naranja. 'Sumo' with an 'S' is a verb or adjective; 'Zumo' with a 'Z' is 'juice' in Spain.

Cooking vs. Calculating

The most frequent error is using 'sumo' when cooking or adding liquids. Remember, 'echo' is for culinary additions, while 'sumo' is for numerical sums or combining elements conceptually.

Related Translations

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