Inklingo

How to Say "to include" in Spanish

English → Spanish

agregar

/ah-greh-GAHR//a.ɣɾeˈɣaɾ/

verbA1general
Use 'agregar' when you are joining a person or item to an existing group or adding an ingredient to a dish.
A hand placing a single red apple into a wooden bowl already containing three green apples.

Examples

Voy a agregar mi hermano a la lista de invitados.

I'm going to add my brother to the guest list.

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 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

verbA1general
Use 'añadir' when making sure something is part of a list or group, often implying a slight addition or enhancement.

Examples

Puedes añadir más leche al cereal si quieres.

You can add more milk to the cereal if you want.

contener

/kon-te-ner//konteˈneɾ/

verbA2general
Use 'contener' to describe what something physically holds or includes as its components or ingredients.
A wooden crate filled with various colorful fruits.

Examples

La botella contiene agua mineral.

The bottle contains mineral water.

Esta caja contiene libros viejos.

This box contains old books.

El refresco contiene mucho azúcar.

The soda contains a lot of sugar.

El documento contiene información importante.

The document contains important information.

The 'Tener' Connection

This word is just the word 'tener' (to have) with 'con-' at the beginning. It follows all the same weird spelling changes as 'tener'.

Present Tense Spelling

Mistake: “yo contengo (correct), yo conteno (incorrect)”

Correction: Just like you say 'yo tengo', you must say 'yo contengo' with a 'g' sound.

contar

cohn-TAR/konˈtaɾ/

verbB1general
Use 'contar' in the sense of 'to count on' or 'to rely on' someone, meaning to include them as a source of support.
A simple depiction of a small human figure leaning securely and trustingly against the back of a taller, stable human figure, symbolizing reliance and dependence.

Examples

No te preocupes, puedes contar con mi ayuda.

Don't worry, you can count on my help.

Sabes que puedes contar conmigo para lo que necesites.

You know you can rely on me for whatever you need.

En este negocio, la experiencia cuenta mucho.

In this business, experience matters a lot.

Si invitamos a Pedro, ¿contamos con que traiga su coche?

If we invite Pedro, are we counting on him to bring his car?

Using the Preposition CON

When 'contar' means 'to rely on' or 'to have available,' it is almost always followed immediately by the preposition 'con' (with).

Missing CON

Mistake: “Cuento tu ayuda (incorrect).”

Correction: Cuento con tu ayuda (correct - I rely on your help). The preposition 'con' is essential here.

Adding vs. Containing vs. Counting On

The most common mistake is using 'contener' (to contain) when you mean 'agregar' or 'añadir' (to add). Remember, 'contener' is about what something *holds* inherently, not about adding something to it. Also, be careful not to confuse 'contar' (to count on) with the act of adding items.

Related Translations

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