Difference between sobretodo and sobre todo in Spanish

You've probably wondered how many homophones in Spanish there are and how to learn to differentiate between them. One of the most common among native speakers and students of the language is sobre todo and sobretodo. Both words sound the same, but their meaning and usage are very different.

If you want to know the difference between sobre todo and sobretodo in Spanish, you've come to the right place. It's important to know how to write correctly in Spanish to avoid common mistakes and continue on your path to learning Spanish in Spain.

What does sobre todo mean?

Of these two words, the most common is sobre todo. Sobre todo is an adverbial phrase that means mainly, especially, or above all. It is used to highlight something within a group or to express priority. Here are some examples:

• Me gusta ir al cine, sobre todo a ver películas de acción (I like going to the movies, especially to see action movies)
• Debes cuidar tu salud, sobre todo en invierno (You should take care of your health, especially in winter)
• Lo que más valoro, sobre todo, es la sinceridad (What I value most, above all, is sincerity)

What does sobretodo mean in Spanish?

Sobretodo is a masculine noun, not as common as the phrase, which refers to a long, thick garment worn over clothing to protect against the cold or rain. Therefore, sobretodo is synonymous with coat, raincoat, or overcoat. Examples:

• Me puse el sobretodo porque hacía mucho frío (I put on my overcoat because it was very cold)
• En invierno siempre llevo un sobretodo de lana (In winter I always wear a woolen overcoat)
• Colgó su sobretodo en el perchero al entrar (He hung his overcoat on the coat rack when he came in)

Differences between sobretodo and sobre todo

Although sobre todo and sobretodo are homophones, meaning they sound the same, they have different grammatical functions and meanings, as you can see from their definitions. Below are some key differences to help you learn when to use each one in your writing.

Sobretodo is a noun that refers to garment worn over other clothes. For example: Se puso el sobretodo antes de salir (He put on his coat before leaving).

Meanwhile, sobre todo is an adverbial phrase, meaning ‘mainly’ or ‘especially’. For example: Me gustan los colores claros, sobre todo el blanco (I like light colors, especially white).

Remember that if you can replace sobre todo with ‘principalmente’ (mainly) or ‘especialmente’ (especially), then it is written separately. But if the text refers to ‘abrigo’ (coat) or ‘gabardina’ (raincoat), then it should be written together.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

One of the most frequent mistakes among Spanish learners is to always write the word sobretodo together when they want to use the phrase sobre todo.

Why does this happen? Because both words sound the same, but only one (the adverbial phrase) is used very frequently in everyday speech and written texts.

How can you avoid this mistake? Very simple: think about the meaning of the phrase.

• If you are talking about clothing, write sobretodo
• Try substituting the words: if you can say principalmente, then it is sobre todo. If you can say abrigo, then it is sobretodo.
• Sobretodo (written together) is a physical object; sobre todo (written separately) is an expression used to give emphasis or priority

Examples and exercises with sobre todo and sobretodo

Below are some sentences showing how each of these words is used:

• El detective llevaba un sobretodo gris y un sombrero (The detective was wearing a gray overcoat and a hat)
• Coloca tu sobretodo en el armario, que está lloviendo (Put your overcoat in the closet, it's raining)
• Compré un sobretodo nuevo para el invierno (I bought a new overcoat for the winter)
• Me encanta la comida italiana, sobre todo la pasta (I love Italian food, especially pasta)
• Es una persona amable, sobre todo con los niños (He is a kind person, especially with children)
• Quiero descansar este fin de semana, sobre todo el domingo (I want to rest this weekend, especially on Sunday)

Once you understand how to use sobre todo and sobretodo, it's time to put it into practice! In the following sentences, you must fill in the blanks with sobre todo or sobretodo, depending on the context. Don't worry if you're unsure; you'll find the correct answers at the end of the article. Good luck!

1. Me puse el __________ antes de salir porque hacía frío.
2. Me gusta viajar, __________ a lugares con playa.
3. El profesor valoró, __________, el esfuerzo de sus alumnos.
4. Colgó su __________ en el perchero al entrar a la casa.
5. Lo más importante, __________, es ser honesto.
6. Compró un __________ nuevo para el invierno.
7. Disfruto de la lectura, __________ las novelas históricas.
8. Deberías abrigarte bien, __________ si vas a salir de noche.
9. El actor apareció en escena con un elegante __________ negro.
10. Me gustan los deportes, __________ el baloncesto y el tenis.

Do you already know how to use sobre todo and sobretodo? If you have any further questions, don't hesitate to ask us or sign up for one of our intensive Spanish courses. Continuing to learn and develop your Spanish skills every day will help you become fluent in no time, and don Quijote is here to help you achieve that goal.

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