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How to Say "too many" in Spanish

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demasiado

/de-ma-sya-do//de.maˈsja.ðo/

adjective/pronounA2
Use 'demasiado' when referring to an excessive amount of something, particularly when it causes a negative consequence or is simply beyond a desirable limit, and it often agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies.
A small bookshelf completely overloaded and obscured by a massive, colorful pile of books that are spilling onto the floor.

Examples

Hay demasiada gente en esta tienda.

There are too many people in this store.

Compraste demasiados zapatos.

You bought too many shoes.

No le pongas demasiado azúcar al café.

Don't put too much sugar in the coffee.

Matching the Noun

When 'demasiado' describes a thing (a noun), it has to match that noun's gender and number. You have to choose from four forms: demasiado, demasiada, demasiados, demasiadas.

The Four Forms

Use 'demasiado' for masculine singular nouns (demasiado ruido), 'demasiada' for feminine singular (demasiada comida), 'demasiados' for masculine plural (demasiados perros), and 'demasiadas' for feminine plural (demasiadas sillas).

Forgetting to Make it Plural

Mistake: “Tengo demasiado problemas.”

Correction: Tengo demasiados problemas. Since 'problemas' is a plural noun, you need the plural form 'demasiados'.

tantos

TAHN-tohs/ˈtan.tos/

adjectiveA1
Use 'tantos' to emphasize a large, often surprising, number of countable items, frequently used in exclamations or to introduce a consequence, and it must agree in gender and number with the noun.
A massive, overflowing quantity of colorful, round balls piled high, suggesting an overwhelmingly large number.

Examples

Hay tantos libros que no puedo elegir uno.

There are so many books that I can't choose one.

No tengo tantos amigos como mi hermano.

I don't have as many friends as my brother.

Hemos recibido tantos correos que la bandeja está llena.

We have received so many emails that the inbox is full.

Agreement is Key

Since 'tantos' is an adjective here, it must agree perfectly in gender (masculine) and number (plural) with the noun it describes: 'tantos perros' (so many dogs), not 'tantas perros'.

The 'So...That' Structure

You often use 'tantos' with the word 'que' (that) to describe a result: 'Comió tantos dulces que se enfermó' (He ate so many sweets that he got sick).

Confusing Gender

Mistake: “Vi tantas hombres en la fiesta.”

Correction: Vi tantos hombres en la fiesta. (Always use 'tantos' for masculine plural nouns like 'hombres'.)

Demasiado vs. Tantos

Learners often confuse 'demasiado' and 'tantos' because both imply a large quantity. Remember that 'demasiado' focuses on excess, often with a negative connotation, while 'tantos' emphasizes a large number, often for descriptive or exclamatory effect.

Related Translations

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