Inklingo

How to Say "minus" in Spanish

English → Spanish

menos

/MEH-nohs//ˈme.nos/

adverbA1general
Use 'menos' when performing mathematical subtraction or indicating a quantity that is less than another.
A simple drawing of five apples, with a large X over two of them, representing 'five minus two'.

Examples

Tengo cinco menos dos manzanas.

I have five minus two apples.

Cinco menos dos son tres.

Five minus two is three.

Diez menos siete igual a tres.

Ten minus seven equals three.

La temperatura es de dos grados menos cero.

The temperature is two degrees below zero.

negativo

neh-gah-TEE-voh/ne.ɣaˈti.βo/

adjectiveB1general
Use 'negativo' specifically when describing a number that is below zero, often in a mathematical or scientific context.
A dark blue, perfectly round sphere floating in space, emitting small, simple white electrical arcs that curve inward, symbolizing a negative electrical charge.

Examples

La temperatura es de cuatro grados negativo.

The temperature is four degrees negative.

Necesitas sumar un número negativo para obtener ese resultado.

You need to add a negative number to get that result.

La prueba de COVID dio negativa.

The COVID test came back negative.

sin

/seen//sin/

prepositionA1informal
Use 'sin' when 'minus' means 'without' or 'lacking' something, often in everyday requests or descriptions.
A cup of coffee next to an empty sugar bowl, illustrating the concept of 'without sugar'.

Examples

Quiero un helado sin chispas.

I want an ice cream minus sprinkles.

Quiero un café sin azúcar, por favor.

I want a coffee without sugar, please.

No puedo vivir sin ti.

I can't live without you.

Salió de casa sin paraguas y empezó a llover.

He left home without an umbrella and it started to rain.

Using 'Sin' with Nouns

Just put 'sin' before the thing that's missing. For example, 'café sin leche' (coffee without milk). It's that simple!

'Sin' + Action Word (Infinitive)

To say 'without doing something', use 'sin' followed by the basic '-ar', '-er', or '-ir' form of the action word. For example, 'Se fue sin decir adiós' (He left without saying goodbye).

Using 'No' Instead of 'Sin'

Mistake: “Quiero café no leche.”

Correction: Use 'sin' to mean 'without'. The correct way is 'Quiero café sin leche.' 'No' is usually used to make a whole sentence negative.

Math vs. Lacking

The most common mistake is using 'menos' when you mean 'without.' Remember that 'sin' is the correct word for lacking or omitting something, while 'menos' is for subtraction or a quantity less than zero.

Related Translations

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