Inklingo

How to Say "to add" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “to add” is “agregar” — use 'agregar' when physically putting things together or increasing a quantity, or when adding a further comment or statement in a slightly more formal context..

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agregar

/ah-greh-GAHR//a.ɣɾeˈɣaɾ/

verbA1/B1general
Use 'agregar' when physically putting things together or increasing a quantity, or when adding a further comment or statement in a slightly more formal context.
A hand placing a single red apple into a wooden bowl already containing three green apples.

Examples

Agregó dos huevos a la mezcla.

He added two eggs to the mixture.

Tienes que agregar un poco de sal a la sopa.

You have to add a little salt to the soup.

Me puedes agregar al grupo de WhatsApp?

Can you add me to the WhatsApp group?

Agregamos dos sillas más a la mesa.

We added two more chairs to the table.

The 'I added' spelling change

When talking about the past ('I added'), the 'g' becomes 'gu' (agregué) so it keeps the same hard 'g' sound as in the original word.

Adding information

When you want to say 'He added that...', use 'Agregó que...' followed by the information.

Adding people on Social Media

Mistake: “Using 'añadir' for friends.”

Correction: While 'añadir' works, 'agregar' is much more common when talking about adding friends on Facebook or Instagram.

añadir

verbA1/B1general
Use 'añadir' to include something extra, whether it's a physical item, an ingredient, or an additional comment or statement.

Examples

Añade un poco de perejil picado al final.

Add a bit of chopped parsley at the end.

echar

/eh-CHAR//eˈt͡ʃaɾ/

verbA2informal
Use 'echar' specifically for adding ingredients, spices, or liquids, often in a more casual or culinary context.
A hand pours bright blue liquid from a clear glass pitcher into a ceramic mug.

Examples

Echa sal al gusto.

Add salt to taste.

Voy a echarle un poco de sal a la sopa.

I'm going to add a little salt to the soup.

¿Puedes echar más gasolina al coche, por favor?

Can you put more gas in the car, please?

Echa el agua caliente en la tetera.

Pour the hot water into the kettle.

Use with Indirect Objects (Le/Les)

When you add something to something else (like salt to soup), you often use the indirect object pronoun 'le' or 'les': 'Le echo sal' (I add salt to it).

echarle

verbA2informal
Use 'echarle' when adding an ingredient or substance to something, with the 'le' emphasizing the recipient or the thing being added to.

Examples

¿Le echaste suficiente leche al café?

Did you add enough milk to the coffee?

General vs. Ingredient Addition

Learners often confuse 'agregar'/'añadir' with 'echar'/'echarle'. Remember that 'echar' and 'echarle' are primarily used for adding ingredients or substances, especially in cooking. 'Agregar' and 'añadir' are more versatile and can be used for both physical items and abstract concepts like comments.

Related Translations

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