Inklingo

How to Say "to subtract" in Spanish

English → Spanish

restar

/rreh-stahr//resˈtaɾ/

verbA1general mathematics
Use 'restar' for straightforward mathematical subtraction, like in arithmetic problems.
A wooden table with five red apples, where two apples are being pulled away by a hand.

Examples

Si a diez le restas tres, te quedan siete.

If you subtract three from ten, you have seven left.

La tienda va a restar el descuento al pagar en la caja.

The store is going to deduct the discount when paying at the register.

No olvides restar los gastos del presupuesto total.

Don't forget to subtract the expenses from the total budget.

Using 'a' with Restar

When you subtract one thing FROM another in Spanish, you use the word 'a' before the item you are taking away from. For example: 'Restar cinco a diez' (Subtract five from ten).

The 'Le' Helper

Spanish speakers often add a little word 'le' or 'les' (what teachers call an indirect object) to show what is being affected by the subtraction. 'Le restaron puntos al equipo' means 'They deducted points from the team.'

Restar vs. Descansar

Mistake: “Using 'restar' to mean 'to take a rest'.”

Correction: Use 'descansar'. Even though they look similar to the English word 'rest', 'restar' only means to subtract or take away.

descontar

/des-kohn-TAHR//deskonˈtaɾ/

verbA2general mathematics
Use 'descontar' when money or points are being taken away, such as from a salary, a price, or a score.
A hand removing a single gold coin from a tall stack of gold coins on a plain background.

Examples

Me van a descontar el día de mi sueldo porque no fui a trabajar.

They are going to deduct the day from my salary because I didn't go to work.

Si pagas en efectivo, te podemos descontar cinco euros.

If you pay in cash, we can give you a five-euro discount.

Al precio total hay que descontar el valor de la entrada.

The price of the ticket must be subtracted from the total price.

The 'O' to 'UE' Change

In the present tense, the 'o' changes to 'ue' in all forms except for 'we' (nosotros) and 'you all' (vosotros). It's just like the verb 'contar' (to count).

Using 'de' with Amounts

When you want to say what you are deducting money from, use the word 'de'. For example: 'Lo descontaron de mi cuenta' (They deducted it from my account).

Don't say 'Discontar'

Mistake: “Voy a discontar el precio.”

Correction: Voy a descontar el precio. Even though English says 'discount', Spanish always uses an 'e' at the start.

deducir

/deh-doo-theer//deðuˈθiɾ/

verbB2general subtraction
Use 'deducir' for more formal or complex subtractions, especially when claiming deductions on taxes or inferring something logically.
A hand removing one red apple from a pile of green apples.

Examples

Puedes deducir los gastos de transporte de tus impuestos.

You can deduct transportation expenses from your taxes.

Me dedujeron el seguro médico del sueldo.

They deducted health insurance from my salary.

Es posible deducir el IVA en esta factura.

It is possible to deduct VAT on this invoice.

Deducir vs. Descontar

While both mean to take away money, 'deducir' is usually used for formal things like taxes or salaries, while 'descontar' is used for store discounts.

Restar vs. Descontar for Amounts

Learners often confuse 'restar' and 'descontar' when talking about taking away money. Remember that 'restar' is for pure math, while 'descontar' implies a specific reduction from a total amount, like a salary or price.

Related Translations

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