diferente
/difeˈɾente/
The Spanish word for different is diferente.
diferente is used to describe something that is not the same.
Meaning: not the same (adj)
Which one should you use?
While diferente is often interchangeable with distinto/a, the latter is frequently used to emphasize that things are distinct or separate from one another.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, Uruguay and parts of Central America, the word otro is used to convey the idea of different.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective diferente must agree in number with the noun it modifies. It becomes diferentes when referring to plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/difeˈɾente/
Did you know?
- If you call someone una persona diferente, you might be complimenting their unique character, but you could also be hinting that they are 'strange' or 'weird'.
- Because diferente ends in 'e', it is gender-neutral for the singular form, meaning it does not change between masculine and feminine nouns.
- The word diferente shares its entire lineage with the English word 'different', as both descend directly from the Latin verb 'differre'.
Examples in context
- Tom es muy diferente.Tom is quite different.This sentence shows how to use diferente to describe a person.Tatoeba #5002435 by DarkHollow, translation #4494438 by CK
- Te ves tan diferente.You look so different.This sentence shows how to use diferente to describe an appearance.Tatoeba #10061203 by jxff, translation #3345314 by CK
- Esta vez es diferente.This time is different.This sentence shows how to use diferente to describe a situation or time.Tatoeba #4545837 by DarkHollow, translation #4502653 by CK
- El nuevo plan es diferente al anterior.The new plan is different from the previous one.
- La cultura en este país es diferente.The culture in this country is different.
- Tenemos opiniones diferentes sobre este tema.We have different opinions on this matter.
- El resultado fue disímil al esperado.The result was different from what was expected.
- Tus estrategias son disímiles a las mías.Your strategies are different from mine.
- Tu estilo de vestir es diferente.Your dressing style is different.
- Me gustan los sabores diferentes de helado.I like different flavors of ice cream.
- Esa película es distinta a las demás.That movie is different from the rest.
- Tenemos estilos de vida distintos.We have different lifestyles.
- 312 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Elena are looking at two paintings.
- MateoEste cuadro es muy diferente al otro.This painting is very different from the other one.
- ElenaSí, los colores son totalmente diferentes.Yes, the colors are totally different.
- Mateo¿Cuál de los dos prefieres, Elena?Which of the two do you prefer, Elena?
- ElenaMe gusta más el estilo diferente del primero.I like the different style of the first one more.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “different” translations and entries diferente, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries diferente, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
