Spanish Conversation · Level 56
72 words
Spanish word
sobrar
Pronunciation
IPA/soˈβɾaɾ/
Meaning
- verbbe left over
Example
Me sobran dos manzanas.
I have two apples left.
More examples
Nos sobran cinco minutos antes de que empiece la reunión.
We have five minutes to spare before the meeting starts.
Core concept
Extra amount beyond what is needed.
Common phrases
sobrar tiempo
have time to spare
nos sobran minutos
have minutes to spare
Similar words
quedar: Remain in a place or state, indicating something is still present.
alcanzar: Be sufficient to satisfy a need or reach the required quantity.
faltar: Be lacking or insufficient to satisfy a need or requirement.
Definition in Spanish
Haber más de lo necesario; quedar sin usar por exceso.
Word origin
Sobrar comes from Spanish sobre 'over' (from Latin super) plus the verb-forming suffix -ar and originally meant 'be above', later developing into 'remain because it exceeds a need'.
Usage tips
- The person with the surplus is marked by an indirect object pronoun and the verb agrees with the leftover thing, so the verb becomes plural when the leftover is plural.