Inklingo

How to Say "separate" in Spanish

English → Spanish

separados

/seh-pah-RAH-dohs//se.paˈɾa.ðos/

adjectiveA2General
Use 'separados' when you are talking about keeping things physically apart or distinct from each other, often for organizational or safety reasons.
A red cube and a blue sphere sitting far apart on a simple white ground, illustrating physical distance.

Examples

Los documentos importantes deben estar separados de la basura.

The important documents must be kept separate from the trash.

Hay dos edificios separados para las oficinas y el almacén.

There are two separate buildings for the offices and the warehouse.

Agreement is Key

Since 'separados' is an adjective, it must match the thing it describes in number (plural) and gender (masculine). If you were talking about feminine things (e.g., 'las casas'), you would use 'separadas'.

Use with 'Estar'

This word is most often used with the verb 'estar' (to be, for temporary states) to describe location or current condition: 'Estamos separados' (We are apart).

Forgetting the Plural 'S'

Mistake: “Los libros están separado.”

Correction: Los libros están separados. (The adjective must be plural to match the plural subject 'libros'.)

distinto

dees-TEEN-toh/disˈtinto/

adjectiveA2General
Choose 'distinto' when you want to emphasize that something is individual, unique, or different from something else.
A simple illustration of four small birds sitting on a tree branch. Three of the birds are identical bluebirds, while the fourth bird is a bright yellow canary, emphasizing that it is different from the rest.

Examples

Mi coche es distinto al tuyo; el mío es rojo.

My car is different from yours; mine is red.

Tenemos gustos muy distintos en música.

We have very different tastes in music.

Hizo la misma pregunta, pero con palabras distintas.

He asked the same question, but with different words.

Gender and Number Agreement

As an adjective, 'distinto' must match the noun it describes. Use 'distinto' (masculine singular), 'distinta' (feminine singular), 'distintos' (masculine plural), or 'distintas' (feminine plural).

Comparing with 'A' or 'DE'

When comparing one item to another, 'distinto' is often followed by the preposition 'a' (distinct to/from) or sometimes 'de' (distinct of/from). Both are common ways to show the difference.

Forgetting Agreement

Mistake: “Compré dos camisas distinto.”

Correction: Compré dos camisas distintas. (Because 'camisas' is feminine plural, 'distinto' must also be feminine plural.)

aparte

ah-PAR-teh/aˈpaɾte/

adjectiveB2General
Use 'aparte' when referring to a topic, issue, or concept that is distinct, separate, or a class of its own, often needing separate consideration.
A bright blue square object and a bright yellow circular object are placed far away from each other on a white surface, emphasizing their separation and difference.

Examples

Ese es un tema totalmente aparte que debemos discutir en otra reunión.

That is a completely separate topic that we should discuss in another meeting.

Sus opiniones eran aparte de las nuestras.

Their opinions were distinct from ours.

Adjective Use

When used as an adjective, aparte usually follows the noun it describes and often means 'distinct' or 'separate,' rather than physical distance.

Choosing between 'distinto' and 'separados'

Learners often confuse 'distinto' and 'separados'. Remember that 'separados' is primarily about physical distance or division, like keeping items apart. 'Distinto' is about inherent difference or individuality between two or more things.

Related Translations

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