Inklingo

How to Say "same" in Spanish

English → Spanish

mismo

/mees-moh//ˈmizmo/

AdjectiveA1General
Use 'mismo' when referring to something identical or not different in a direct, descriptive way, often modifying a noun.
Two identical twin boys standing next to each other, both wearing the exact same red t-shirt and blue jeans, smiling.

Examples

Tenemos el mismo coche.

We have the same car.

Ellas van a la misma escuela.

They go to the same school.

Siempre cometemos los mismos errores.

We always make the same mistakes.

Making it Match

'Mismo' changes to match the person or thing it's describing. Use 'mismo' for masculine singular, 'misma' for feminine singular, 'mismos' for masculine plural, and 'mismas' for feminine plural.

Word Order

When it means 'same', 'mismo' almost always goes before the word it describes, like in 'el mismo día' (the same day).

Forgetting to Make it Match

Mistake: “Tenemos la mismo idea.”

Correction: Tenemos la misma idea. (Because 'idea' is feminine, you need to use 'misma'.)

igual

/ee-GWAL//iˈɣwal/

AdjectiveA1General
Use 'igual' when comparing two or more things that are identical or very similar, often in the context of equality or being alike.
Two identical bright red apples sitting next to each other on a clean white surface.

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.

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.

'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).

Mismo vs. Igual

Learners often confuse 'mismo' and 'igual' because both relate to sameness. Remember that 'mismo' is typically used to describe identical items or situations, while 'igual' often implies a comparison of similarity or equality between distinct entities.

Related Translations

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