más
/ˈmas/
The English phrase 'else' is translated into Spanish as más.
más is used to refer to additional people or things of the same kind. For example, you can use the phrase alguien más to say 'someone else' or nada más to say 'nothing else'. It is also very common to use the phrase ¿Qué más? to ask 'What else?' or 'What else is there?'
Which one should you use?
The word más can mean both 'else' and 'more'. The context of your sentence determines the meaning. In the phrase alguien más, it translates to 'someone else', whereas in a phrase like quiero más, it translates to 'I want more'.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to use más to mean 'else', place it after indefinite pronouns such as alguien (someone), algo (something) or nadie (no one).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈmas/
Did you know?
- While más means 'else' or 'more', the word mas without the accent mark is an archaic or literary way to say 'but'.
- In Colombia and Caribbean countries, ¿Qué más? is often used as a friendly greeting like 'What's up?' or 'How is it going?' It functions as a social opening rather than a question asking for additional information.
- The word más is a linguistic relative of the English word 'master'. Both descend from the Latin 'magis' or 'magister', which relate to the concept of having 'more' authority or being 'more' than others.
Examples in context
- No hay nadie más.There isn't anybody else.This sentence uses más to express that there is no one else.Tatoeba #1334295 by Shishir, translation #319503 by CK
- ¿No hay algo más?Isn't there something else?This sentence uses más to ask if there is something else.Tatoeba #4463394 by cueyayotl, translation #2064720 by CK
- ¿Qué más hay ahí?What else is there?This sentence uses más to ask what else is there.Tatoeba #6618194 by UsuarioX, translation #3408801 by CK
- Además de estudiar medicina, Mariana también practica diversos deportes.Besides studying medicine, Mariana also practices various sports.
- No encuentro mis llaves, y además, me olvidé el teléfono en casa.I can't find my keys, and what's more, I left my phone at home.
- Hablamos de la fiesta, del nuevo restaurante y, otra cosa más, ¿has visto la última película de ese director?We talked about the party, the new restaurant, and one more thing, have you seen the latest movie by that director?
- Ayer llegué tarde al trabajo, y además de eso, mi computadora se bloqueó.Yesterday, I arrived late to work, and on top of that, my computer crashed.
- ¿Quieres algo más?Do you want anything else?
- Por favor, trae también algo más.Please bring something else as well.
- No quiero hablar de eso, mejor hablemos de otra cosa.I don't want to talk about that, let's discuss something else.
- Además de estudiar, también practico deportes.Besides studying, I also play sports.
- 345 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are at a coffee shop.
- Alejandro¿Quieres algo más para beber, Sofía?Do you want anything else to drink, Sofía?
- SofíaNo, gracias, esto es suficiente.No, thanks, this is enough.
- Alejandro¿Necesitas algo más de la tienda?Do you need anything else from the store?
- SofíaNo, Alejandro, solo quiero terminar mi café.No, Alejandro, I just want to finish my coffee.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry más, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries más, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
