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How to Say "surcharge" in Spanish

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adicional

/ah-dee-syoh-NAHL//aðiθjoˈnal/

nounB2general
Use 'adicional' when referring to a general extra fee that is added onto a base price, often for services not included in the initial cost.
A simple wooden chair with a colorful cushion placed on top as an extra item.

Examples

El precio base es cien, más el adicional por el servicio.

The base price is one hundred, plus the extra for the service.

Pagamos un adicional por las maletas pesadas.

We paid a surcharge for the heavy suitcases.

Turning Adjectives into Nouns

In Spanish, you can often put 'el' or 'un' in front of an adjective like 'adicional' to turn it into a noun meaning 'the extra thing'.

suplemento

/soo-pleh-MEHN-toh//supleˈmento/

nounA2general
Choose 'suplemento' when there's a specific, often standardized, additional charge for a particular item or service, like baggage or a special request.
A colorful storybook illustration showing a single, bright puzzle piece being placed into a nearly finished puzzle to complete a picture of a sun.

Examples

Hay un suplemento de diez euros por la maleta extra.

There is a ten-euro surcharge for the extra suitcase.

Me gusta leer el suplemento dominical del periódico.

I like reading the Sunday supplement of the newspaper.

Este libro tiene un suplemento con mapas detallados.

This book has a supplement with detailed maps.

Always Masculine

Even though it refers to things that might seem feminine (like a 'dieta' or 'revista'), the word 'suplemento' always uses 'el' or 'un' because it ends in 'o'.

Using 'de' for detail

To specify what the extra is for, simply use 'de' right after the word, like 'suplemento de equipaje' (luggage supplement).

Don't confuse with 'complemento'

Mistake: “Tengo un complemento de diez euros.”

Correction: Tengo un suplemento de diez euros.

Adicional vs. Suplemento

Learners often confuse 'adicional' and 'suplemento' because both mean 'extra charge.' The key is that 'suplemento' usually applies to a specific, often itemized, extra (like a suitcase), while 'adicional' is more for a general added cost on top of a main price.

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