How to Say "to include" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to include” is “incluir” — use 'incluir' when something is a part of a larger whole or is counted as part of a total, like a fee in a bill or a person in a group.
incluir
een-cloo-EERin.klu'ir
Examples
La entrada incluye el acceso a todas las atracciones.
The ticket includes access to all attractions.
La cuenta del restaurante ya incluye la propina.
The restaurant bill already includes the tip.
El viaje incluye el hotel y las comidas.
The trip includes the hotel and meals.
Asegúrate de incluir todos tus datos en el formulario.
Make sure to include all your details in the form.
The 'Y' Rule
For this verb, when the letter 'i' ends up between two vowels, it turns into a 'y'. That's why we say 'incluyo' instead of 'incluio'.
Personal 'A' with People
When you are including a person or a pet, you must use the word 'a' after the verb, like 'Incluyo a mi hermano' (I include my brother).
The Gerund Spelling
Mistake: “incluiendo”
Correction: incluyendo. Remember that the 'i' changes to 'y' when it is between the 'u' and the 'e'.
Confusing it with 'meter'
Mistake: “Incluí la llave en el bolsillo.”
Correction: Metí la llave en el bolsillo. Use 'incluir' for lists or concepts, and 'meter' for physically putting things inside.
agregar
ah-greh-GAHRa.ɣɾeˈɣaɾ
Examples
Voy a agregar más leche a mi café.
I'm going to add more milk to my coffee.
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
Examples
Añade sal al gusto.
Add salt to taste.
contener
kon-te-nerkonteˈneɾ
Examples
Este documento contiene información importante.
This document contains important information.
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.
abarcar
ah-bar-KARabaɾˈkaɾ
Examples
El estudio abarca diferentes aspectos de la economía.
The study covers different aspects of the economy.
El curso abarca desde la historia antigua hasta la moderna.
The course covers everything from ancient to modern history.
Nuestra investigación abarca varios países de Europa.
Our research covers several European countries.
Es un proyecto ambicioso que abarca todas las áreas de la empresa.
It is an ambitious project that encompasses all areas of the company.
Spelling Change Rule
For verbs ending in '-car', the 'c' changes to 'qu' when followed by an 'e'. This happens in the 'yo' form of the past tense (abarqué) and all 'special forms' used for wishes or commands (abarque).
The Spelling Trap
Mistake: “yo abarcé”
Correction: yo abarqué (Spanish uses 'qu' to keep the hard 'k' sound before the letter 'e').
incorporar
een-kor-por-ahrinkorpoˈɾaɾ
Examples
Debemos incorporar nuevas ideas al proyecto.
We must incorporate new ideas into the project.
Debes incorporar los ingredientes secos a la mezcla.
You should add the dry ingredients to the mixture.
El equipo decidió incorporar nuevas tecnologías este año.
The team decided to incorporate new technologies this year.
Me voy a incorporar a la empresa el próximo lunes.
I am going to join the company next Monday.
Using 'a' for joining
When you are joining a group, office, or team, use the word 'a' after the verb. For example: 'Se incorporó a la reunión' (He joined the meeting).
Professional Tone
While 'añadir' is great for cooking, 'incorporar' is the go-to word in business and formal writing to sound more professional.
Joining a company
Mistake: “Me incorporé la empresa.”
Correction: Me incorporé a la empresa. (You need the 'a' to show what you are joining.)
integrar
een-teh-GRARinteˈɡɾaɾ
Examples
El objetivo es integrar a todos los empleados en la nueva estructura.
The goal is to integrate all employees into the new structure.
Queremos integrar nuevas tecnologías en el aula.
We want to integrate new technologies into the classroom.
El equipo necesita integrar a los nuevos empleados.
The team needs to include/integrate the new employees.
Es difícil integrar todas las ideas en un solo proyecto.
It is difficult to incorporate all the ideas into a single project.
Using 'en' vs 'a'
Use 'en' when you are putting something inside a system or group (integrar en el equipo). Use 'a' when you are introducing a person to a group (integrar a alguien).
Don't forget the 'a' for people
Mistake: “Necesitamos integrar los nuevos estudiantes.”
Correction: Necesitamos integrar a los nuevos estudiantes. Remember to use 'a' when the object is a specific person or people.
sumar
soo-MAHRsuˈmaɾ
Examples
El club quiere sumar más miembros este año.
The club wants to add more members this year.
Queremos sumar nuevos talentos al equipo.
We want to add new talents to the team.
Toda crítica constructiva suma al proyecto.
Every constructive criticism adds value to the project.
Su experiencia suma mucho en esta negociación.
His experience brings a lot to the table in this negotiation.
The abstract use of 'Sumar'
When you say something 'suma,' you mean it is helpful or positive for the situation.
Confusing with 'Join'
Mistake: “Quiero sumar el club.”
Correction: Quiero sumarme al club. If you are the one joining, you usually need the reflexive form 'sumarse'.
contar
cohn-TARkonˈtaɾ
Examples
Puedes contar con mi ayuda para la mudanza.
You can count on my help for the move.
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.
involucrar
een-boh-loo-krahrinboluˈkɾaɾ
Examples
Es importante involucrar a los padres en la educación de sus hijos.
It is important to involve parents in their children's education.
El director decidió involucrar a todo el equipo en la decisión.
The director decided to involve the whole team in the decision.
No quiero involucrar a mi hermana en este problema.
I don't want to involve my sister in this problem.
Es importante involucrar a los jóvenes en la política local.
It is important to involve young people in local politics.
Using the Personal 'a'
When you are involving a specific person or pet, you must use the word 'a' before them, like in 'Involucrar a María'.
The preposition 'en'
To say what someone is being involved in, use the word 'en' (in), not 'con' (with).
The 'Involved With' Error
Mistake: “Estoy involucrado con el proyecto.”
Correction: Estoy involucrado en el proyecto. In Spanish, we involve ourselves 'in' things rather than 'with' them.
insertar
een-sehr-tahrinseɾˈtaɾ
Examples
Inserté una nota al pie en el documento.
I inserted a footnote into the document.
Haz clic en el menú para insertar una imagen.
Click on the menu to insert an image.
Necesito insertar un enlace en este párrafo.
I need to insert a link in this paragraph.
El programador logró insertar el código en la base de datos.
The programmer managed to insert the code into the database.
Digital Objects
When talking about software, 'insertar' is the standard way to describe adding elements like photos, links, or rows to a file.
Embed vs Insertar
Mistake: “Thinking you need a different word for 'embedding' a video.”
Correction: While 'incrustar' is specifically for embedding, 'insertar' is used just as frequently by Spanish speakers for the same action.
Adding vs. Encompassing
Related Translations
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