Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| todos | /ˈtodos/ | masculine |
| todas | /ˈtodas/ | feminine |
When used as a determiner to mean 'every individual of a given class', the word refers to a group of people or things. You can use the plural forms to mean 'everyone' or 'all the people'.
Which one should you use?
The plural forms todos and todas are used to mean 'all the people' or 'everyone'. In contrast, the singular form todo is used to mean 'everything' or 'the whole thing'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine plural form todos is used to refer to a group of all men or a mixed-gender group of people. Use the singular form todo when referring to 'all of' a singular mass or a single entity. In Spanish you must use the plural todos to refer to all individuals in a group.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈtodos/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the singular todo when they mean 'everyone'.
Did you know?
- In inclusive language movements in some countries, you may see tod@s or todxs written to avoid the masculine default of todos.
- The expression a todo gas is a colloquial way in Spain to say 'at full speed' or 'with maximum energy'.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, the phrase todos y todas is increasingly used in formal speeches to explicitly include all genders, rather than just using the masculine todos.
Examples in context
- Se han ido todos.They've all left.This sentence shows how to use todos to indicate that everyone has left.Tatoeba #1352039 by Shishir, translation #2243715 by CK
- O todos o ninguno.Either all or none.This sentence demonstrates the use of todos in the phrase 'all or none'.Tatoeba #5779948 by albrusgher, translation #2122118 by freddy1
- Todos amamos a Tom.We all love Tom.This sentence uses todos to mean 'we all' or 'everyone'.Tatoeba #3366984 by cueyayotl, translation #2549440 by CK
- Todos los estudiantes deben asistir a la reunión.All the students must attend the meeting.
- El profesor explicó todo el contenido del curso.The professor explained all the course content.
- Cada uno tiene su propia opinión.Everyone has their own opinion.
- Cada habitante debe respetar las leyes.Every inhabitant must respect the laws.
- Todos en la fiesta se divirtieron mucho.Everyone at the party had a great time.
- Todo el mundo sabe que María es una buena persona.Everyone knows that Maria is a good person.
- 2390 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are talking about their friends arriving at a party.
- Lucía¿Ya llegaron todos los invitados?Did all the guests arrive already?
- AlejandroCreo que sí, Lucía.I think so, Lucía.
- LucíaEntonces, ¡que empiecen todos a comer!Then, let everyone start eating!
- AlejandroTienes razón, Alejandro lo hará.You're right, Alejandro will do it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “all” translations and entries todos, todas, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
