How to Say "remainder" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “remainder” is “resto” — use 'resto' when referring to what is left over from a whole, either in a general sense or in a mathematical context after division where it's the leftover part.
resto
RREHS-toh'resto
Examples
Quedan solo dos galletas, ese es el resto del paquete.
Only two cookies are left, that's the remainder of the package.
El resto del grupo llegará más tarde.
The rest of the group will arrive later.
Puedes comerte el resto de la pizza si quieres.
You can eat the rest of the pizza if you want.
Guardamos los restos de la cena para el almuerzo de mañana.
We saved the leftovers from dinner for tomorrow's lunch.
Always Use 'el resto de'
When you want to say 'the rest of something', you always need to add 'de' after 'el resto'. For example, 'el resto del día' (the rest of the day) or 'el resto de la gente' (the rest of the people).
'el resto' vs. 'los restos'
Mistake: “Usé el resto para hablar de la comida que sobró.”
Correction: Generally, for 'leftovers' (food), it's better to use the plural form: 'Guardé los restos de la cena'. 'El resto' refers to the remaining part of a single thing, like 'el resto de la película' (the rest of the movie).
saldo
SAHL-dohˈsal.do
Examples
Para hacer otra llamada, necesito agregar más saldo a mi cuenta.
To make another call, I need to add more credit (remainder) to my account.
No tengo saldo en mi teléfono para hacer una llamada.
I don't have any credit on my phone to make a call.
Puedes consultar tu saldo en cualquier cajero automático.
You can check your balance at any ATM.
El saldo de mi cuenta de ahorros es positivo.
My savings account balance is positive.
Gender and Articles
The word 'saldo' is masculine. Always use 'el' or 'un' (e.g., 'el saldo', 'un saldo').
The 'Salary' Trap
Mistake: “Using 'saldo' when you mean your monthly paycheck.”
Correction: Use 'sueldo' for salary. 'Saldo' is for bank balances or phone credit.
residuo
rre-SEE-dwohreˈsiðwo
Examples
Al dividir 17 entre 5, el residuo es 2.
When dividing 17 by 5, the remainder is 2.
Si divides diez entre tres, el residuo es uno.
If you divide ten by three, the remainder is one.
No queda ni un residuo de duda sobre su inocencia.
Not even a trace of doubt remains about his innocence.
Abstract Use
When used for feelings or doubts, it describes the very last tiny bit of something that is almost gone.
diferencia
dee-feh-REHN-syahdifeˈɾensja
Examples
No entiendo la diferencia entre lo que dijiste y lo que hiciste.
I don't understand the difference (remainder) between what you said and what you did.
¿Cuál es la diferencia entre 'ser' y 'estar'?
What is the difference between 'ser' and 'estar'?
Hay una gran diferencia de precio entre los dos coches.
There's a big price difference between the two cars.
Tuvieron una pequeña diferencia y ahora no se hablan.
They had a small disagreement and now they aren't speaking to each other.
Using 'entre' for Comparisons
When you talk about a difference 'between' two or more things, always use the word 'entre'. For example, 'la diferencia entre el día y la noche' (the difference between day and night).
Forgetting the Gender
Mistake: “El diferencia es pequeño.”
Correction: La diferencia es pequeña. The word 'diferencia' ends in '-a' and is feminine, so you need to use 'la' and make sure any describing words match it, like 'pequeña'.
General vs. Specific Remainder
Related Translations
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