Inklingo

How to Say "several" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “several” is “algunos” — use 'algunos' (or 'alguna', 'algunos', 'algunas' depending on gender and number) when you mean 'some' or 'a few' in a general, indefinite sense, implying more than two but not a large number.

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algunos

al-GOO-nohsalˈɣunos

adjectiveA1general
Use 'algunos' (or 'alguna', 'algunos', 'algunas' depending on gender and number) when you mean 'some' or 'a few' in a general, indefinite sense, implying more than two but not a large number.
A large woven basket filled with many red apples, with a small cluster of three apples lying clearly separated outside the basket.

Examples

Tengo algunos libros sobre la mesa.

I have some books on the table.

Necesito algunos minutos para terminar.

I need a few minutes to finish.

Algunos días son más difíciles que otros.

Some days are more difficult than others.

Matches the Noun

As an adjective, 'algunos' describes a noun and must match it. Use 'algunos' for masculine, plural things, like 'algunos chicos' (some boys).

The 'Alguno' Family

This word changes for gender and number: 'alguno/s' for masculine and 'alguna/s' for feminine. For example, 'algunas chicas' (some girls).

The 'Algún' Rule

Be careful! Before a singular masculine noun, 'alguno' shortens to 'algún'. For example, 'algún día' (some day), not 'alguno día'.

Gender Mismatch

Mistake: “Compré algunos manzanas.”

Correction: Compré algunas manzanas. 'Manzana' is a feminine word, so you need to use the feminine form 'algunas'.

Mixing up with 'Unos'

Mistake: “Vi algunos pájaros en el cielo.”

Correction: Vi unos pájaros en el cielo. While 'algunos' isn't strictly wrong, 'unos' is more common for simply saying 'some' birds. 'Algunos' often implies 'some of the birds' from a group.

varias

VAH-ree-ahsˈbaɾjas

adjectiveA1general
Use 'varias' (or 'varios', 'varias') when referring to an indefinite quantity that is more than two but not many, often implying a selection or variety.
A high quality illustration showing several distinct, bright red apples scattered lightly on a clean wooden table, illustrating an indefinite quantity.

Examples

Fui al mercado y compré varias frutas.

I went to the market and bought several fruits.

Tuvimos varias reuniones para discutir el plan.

We had various meetings to discuss the plan.

Hay varias formas de llegar a la estación.

There are several ways to get to the station.

Gender and Number Match

Remember, 'varias' is feminine and plural, so it must always describe a feminine plural thing (like 'flores' or 'puertas'). If you are describing masculine things, you must use 'varios'.

Placement

Like many quantifiers, 'varias' almost always goes directly before the thing it describes: 'Varias alumnas' (Several students), not 'alumnas varias'.

Mixing Genders

Mistake: “Compré varias libros.”

Correction: Compré varios libros. (Since 'libros' is masculine, you need 'varios'.)

diferente

dee-feh-REN-tehdifeˈɾente

adjectiveA2general
Use 'diferente' (or 'diferentes') when emphasizing that there are more than two but not many distinct or separate items, people, or instances.
A collection of six distinct and colorful wooden blocks scattered on a floor, including a red cube, a blue pyramid, a green cylinder, a yellow star, an orange sphere, and a purple arch.

Examples

Hablé con diferentes personas sobre el problema.

I spoke with different people about the problem.

Hay diferentes maneras de resolver esto.

There are several ways to solve this.

La tienda vende diferentes tipos de queso.

The store sells different/various types of cheese.

Placement Before the Noun

To get this meaning ('various' or 'several'), diferentes almost always comes before the noun it describes. For example, diferentes libros means 'various books'.

Singular vs. Plural

Mistake: “Tengo diferente opción para ti.”

Correction: Tengo diferentes opciones para ti. This meaning of 'various' or 'several' is nearly always used in the plural form to talk about multiple things.

diverso

dee-BEHR-sohdiˈβeɾso

adjectiveB2general
Use 'diverso' (or 'diversos', 'diversa', 'diversas') to indicate a variety of more than two but not many things, often suggesting a range or assortment.
A small group of four identical red apples sitting on a wooden table.

Examples

He leído diversos libros sobre este tema.

I have read diverse books on this subject.

Diversos testigos presenciaron el accidente.

Various witnesses saw the accident.

Existen diversos factores que afectan la economía.

There are several factors that affect the economy.

The Power of Placement

When 'diversos' (plural) comes BEFORE the noun, it often means 'several' or 'various' (counting things). When it comes AFTER, it emphasizes 'diverse' (describing the quality).

Overusing 'Varios'

Mistake: “Always using 'varios' for 'several'.”

Correction: While 'varios' is correct, using 'diversos' in writing makes your Spanish look more advanced.

Choosing Between 'Algunos/Varias' and 'Diferente/Diverso'

Learners often confuse 'algunos' or 'varias' with 'diferente' or 'diverso'. Remember that 'algunos' and 'varias' focus on quantity, while 'diferente' and 'diverso' emphasize distinctness or variety within that quantity.

Related Translations

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