What is the difference between "cantidades", "libros" in Spanish?

The English word 'volumes' can translate to Spanish in different ways depending on the context. While both translations relate to a quantity or collection, one refers to physical books, and the other to abstract amounts or sizes.

How to Say "volumes" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “volumes” is “cantidades” — use 'cantidades' when referring to the abstract amount, size, or space that something occupies, often uncountable..

cantidades🔊A2

Use 'cantidades' when referring to the abstract amount, size, or space that something occupies, often uncountable.

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libros🔊A1

Use 'libros' specifically when referring to multiple physical books, especially those forming a series.

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English → Spanish

cantidades

/kan-tee-DAH-dehs//kantiˈdaðes/

noun (plural)A2general

Use 'cantidades' when referring to the abstract amount, size, or space that something occupies, often uncountable.

Different sized piles of colorful wooden building blocks.

Examples

Se necesitan grandes cantidades de agua para regar el campo.

Large quantities of water are needed to water the field.

Necesitamos grandes cantidades de papel para la oficina.

We need large amounts of paper for the office.

Hay pequeñas cantidades de azúcar en la leche.

There are small quantities of sugar in the milk.

Compramos la harina en cantidades industriales.

We buy the flour in industrial quantities.

Using the word 'of'

Just like in English, when you use this word, you usually follow it with 'de' (of) to say what you are measuring, such as 'cantidades de dinero' (amounts of money).

The 'Always Feminine' Rule

Mistake: “Using 'los cantidades' when talking about masculine items.”

Correction: Always use 'las' or 'unas' with this word, even if the item itself is masculine. Say 'las cantidades de arroz,' not 'los cantidades de arroz.'

See full entry for “cantidades” →

libros

LEE-brohs/ˈli.βɾos/

noun (plural)A1general

Use 'libros' specifically when referring to multiple physical books, especially those forming a series.

A simple, colorful illustration featuring a neat stack of three closed books with different colored covers.

Examples

He comprado los tres libros de esta colección.

I have bought the three books of this collection.

Necesito devolver los libros a la biblioteca.

I need to return the books to the library.

Ella tiene cientos de libros en su estantería.

She has hundreds of books on her bookshelf.

Los libros de texto suelen ser muy caros al inicio del semestre.

Textbooks are usually very expensive at the start of the semester.

Making it Plural

The singular word is 'libro.' Since it ends in a vowel ('o'), you just add '-s' to make it plural, which is one of the simplest rules in Spanish.

Watch the Gender

Remember that 'libros' is masculine. This means you must always use masculine articles and words that describe it: 'los libros' (the books) or 'libros interesantes' (interesting books).

Using the Feminine Article

Mistake: “Quiero leer las libros nuevos.”

Correction: Quiero leer los libros nuevos. ('Libros' is masculine, so 'las' must be changed to 'los'.)

See full entry for “libros” →

Books vs. Amounts

The most common mistake is using 'cantidades' when you mean physical books. Remember that 'libros' is the direct translation for multiple books, while 'cantidades' refers to abstract amounts or quantities of things.

Related Translations

amounts→books→bulk→ledgers→quantities→

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