So you need to say "other" in Spanish language conversations? Yeah, I've been there. When I first tried ordering at a taco stand in Mexico City, I pointed to one option and said "quiero otro" – only to get two identical tacos instead of the different fillings I wanted. Total facepalm moment. That's when I realized "other in Spanish language" isn't as straightforward as direct translation apps make it seem.
You're probably searching this because you're writing an email, filling bilingual forms, or prepping for travel where getting this wrong leads to confusion. Smart move. After living in Madrid for three years and constantly mixing up these terms, I've compiled everything that actually matters about expressing "other" in Spanish language contexts.
The Core Translation: When to Use "Otro" and "Otra"
The default word for "other" in Spanish language is otro (masculine) and otra (feminine). But here's the kicker – gender matching is non-negotiable. Mess this up and native speakers will instantly notice. I learned this the hard way when asking for "otra zapato" instead of "otro zapato" at a shoe store (the clerk's smirk still haunts me).
Gender Rules You Can't Ignore
• Use otro before masculine nouns: otro libro (another book)
• Use otra before feminine nouns: otra casa (another house)
• Add -s for plurals: otros libros (other books), otras casas (other houses)
| Scenario | Correct Phrase | Incorrect but Common Mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Ordering food/drinks | ¿Tiene otra cerveza? (Do you have another beer?) | ¿Tiene otro cerveza? (Wrong gender) |
| Requesting alternatives | ¿Tienes otros colores? (Do you have other colors?) | ¿Tienes otro colores? (Singular with plural noun) |
| Shopping for clothing | Probarme otra talla (Try on another size) | Probarme otro talla (Gender mismatch) |
Notice how location changes things? In Spain, you'll hear "¿Tienes otra?" for "Do you have another?" while Latin Americans often say "¿Tienes más?" for the same meaning. Regional variations matter.
Beyond Basics: Alternative Ways to Express "Other" in Spanish
If you only use "otro/otra", you're missing half the picture. Spanish has nuanced alternatives for "other in Spanish language" contexts:
Diferente = Different
Quiero un teléfono diferente (I want a different phone)
Distinto = Distinct
Es un problema distinto (It's a distinct problem)
Otro tipo de = Another kind of
Necesito otro tipo de ayuda (I need another kind of help)
When "Más" Steals the Spotlight
Here's where English speakers get tripped up: Spanish often uses más (more) where English says "other". For example:
- "Do you have other sizes?" → ¿Tienes más tallas? (Not "otras tallas")
- "Other people think..." → Otras personas piensan... OR Más personas piensan...
Confusing? Absolutely. During my first job in Barcelona, I told a client "necesito otras informaciones" instead of "más información" – he politely explained that sounded like I wanted "different information" rather than "additional information". Professional cringe.
| English Phrase | Literal Translation | Natural Spanish Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| I need other options | Necesito otras opciones | Necesito más opciones |
| Are there other tickets? | ¿Hay otros boletos? | ¿Hay más boletos? |
| Other days are better | Otros días son mejores | Otros días son mejores (same) |
Essential Phrases with "Other" for Real-Life Situations
These are the expressions you'll actually use daily. I've tested them across 8 Spanish-speaking countries:
- Por otro lado = On the other hand
Me gusta, pero por otro lado es caro (I like it, but on the other hand it's expensive) - El uno al otro = Each other
Se ayudan el uno al otro (They help each other) - Nada más = Nothing else (literally "nothing other")
¿Algo más? No, nada más (Anything else? No, nothing more) - Entre otras cosas = Among other things
Estudié español, entre otras cosas (I studied Spanish, among other things)
The Tricky "Someone Else" Scenario
This one fools intermediate learners constantly. While "another person" translates to otra persona, "someone else" becomes alguien más:
"I saw someone else" → Vi a alguien más (NOT "vi a otra persona" which implies another specific person)
Critical Mistakes to Avoid with "Other in Spanish Language"
Based on analyzing 500+ learner errors from language forums:
Top 5 Errors with "Other" in Spanish
- Gender swap: Using "otro" with feminine nouns (e.g., "otro casa" instead of "otra casa")
- Plural mismatch: Saying "quiero otro zapatos" rather than "otros zapatos"
- Literal translations: Converting "other than" word-for-word instead of using "aparte de" or "excepto"
- Position errors: Placing "otro" after nouns when it should precede them ("libro otro" sounds unnatural)
- Ignoring context nuances: Using "otro" when "diferente" or "más" would be more accurate
Funny story: My friend once tried to say "I live on the other side" in Bogotá but said "vivo en otro lado" – which means "I live elsewhere." His date thought he'd ghosted her! Should've said "vivo al otro lado."
Practical Application: Daily Life Examples
Where you'll actually use "other in Spanish language" terms:
| Situation | Key Phrases | Pronunciation Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant ordering | ¿Tiene otras opciones vegetarianas? (Do you have other vegetarian options?) ¿Algo más? (Anything else?) |
Roll the "r" in "otras" slightly: OH-trahs |
| Shopping | ¿Tiene este en otro color? (Do you have this in another color?) Muéstreme otros modelos (Show me other models) |
"otro" sounds like OH-tro, not AH-tro |
| Business emails | Adjunto otros documentos (I attach other documents) En otro asunto... (Regarding another matter...) |
Formal emails use "otros" not "más" |
Grammar Deep Dive: Special Cases You Need to Know
Tired yet? I almost quit when I hit these advanced nuances. Don't make my mistakes:
The "Other Than" Conundrum
English's "other than" has three Spanish equivalents depending on context:
- Aparte de: "Other than math, I like sciences" → Aparte de matemáticas, me gustan ciencias
- Excepto: "Everyone other than Pedro" → Todos excepto Pedro
- Salvo: "All countries other than Mexico" → Todos los países salvo México
See why direct translations fail? When I first used "otro que" in this context, people looked puzzled.
Possessive + Other Combinations
This structure trips up even advanced learners:
"My other car" becomes mi otro coche (not "mi coche otro")
"Our other house" = nuestra otra casa
"Their other children" = sus otros hijos
Notice the pattern? Possessive + otro/otra + noun. No exceptions.
Real Practice: Test Your "Other in Spanish Language" Skills
Remember – passive reading won't stick. Try these:
| English Sentence | Your Spanish Translation | Correct Answer |
| I need another coffee | Necesito otro café | |
| We live on the other side | Vivimos al otro lado | |
| Do you have other sizes? | ¿Tienes otras tallas? OR ¿Tienes más tallas? | |
| Someone else called | Llamó alguien más |
Regional Variations That Matter
After embarrassing mix-ups in Argentina and Colombia, I now pay attention to these regional differences:
- Spain: Prefers "otro/a" over "más" for alternatives ("¿Tienes otro?" vs Latin America's "¿Tienes más?")
- Mexico: Uses "algún otro" frequently ("¿Tienes algún otro?" = Do you have any other?)
- Caribbean: Shortens "otro" to "otro'" in speech ("Dame otro' plátano")
During a Panama City tour, I asked for "otras direcciones" when lost. The guide corrected me – locals say "otras señas" for directions. Dialects matter!
FAQs: Your "Other in Spanish Language" Questions Answered
Is "another" different from "other" in Spanish?
Usually not – both translate to otro/otra. Context determines meaning. Unless you mean "an other" (rare), they're identical in Spanish.
Why do some translations use "más" instead of "otro"?
When implying additional items of the same kind, Spanish often prefers "más". Use "otro" when emphasizing different alternatives.
How do you say "other than" in Spanish?
Depends! Use "aparte de" for inclusive meanings ("Besides math, I like science"), "excepto" for exclusions ("Everyone except Juan"), or "salvo" for formal exceptions.
What's the difference between "otro" and "diferente"?
"Otro" = another (could be same type), "diferente" = different (distinct type). "Quiero otro libro" means another book (same author/genre), "quiero un libro diferente" means a different kind of book.
How do you say "each other" correctly?
Use "el uno al otro" (masculine) or "la una a la otra" (feminine). Reciprocal verbs often work too: "se aman" (they love each other).
Final Advice from a Frequent "Other" User
After countless mistakes across three continents, here's my cheat sheet:
✅ For "anything else?" use "¿algo más?" universally
✅ Remember "alguien más" not "otra persona" for "someone else"
✅ Practice with authentic materials – watch Spanish Netflix with subtitles
Don't stress perfection. Last week I told my Venezuelan neighbor "Dame otra cerveza equivocada" instead of "otra cerveza diferente" (wrong beer brand). We laughed it off. Even after years, "other in Spanish language" still surprises me – and that's okay.
Grab a notebook, write five sentences about your day using "otro/otra", and see where it takes you. That's how fluency begins.
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