igual
/iˈɡwal/
The English word 'equal' is translated into Spanish as igual.
The adjective igual is used to describe things that are the same in all respects. When you want to express that one thing is equal to another, use the construction igual a. If you need to describe an action done in an equal manner, the adverbial form is igualmente. To describe an equal understanding or agreement in an informal way, you might use the expression en la misma onda.
Meaning: the same in all respects (adj)
Which one should you use?
While igual is the standard adjective, if you are specifically discussing something being equal in value or significance, the more formal term equivalente is used. To express the verb 'to be equal to', you can use equivaler a or igualar a / con. If you are using 'equal' as a noun to refer to a person or thing of equal status, you can use igual, congénere or par.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, igual must agree in number with the noun it modifies. It becomes iguales in the plural form.
How do you pronounce it?
/iˈɡwal/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the adverb igualmente is the standard, polite response when someone says Mucho gusto ('Nice to meet you') or Buen provecho ('Enjoy your meal').
- In casual Spanish, igual is often used as a filler word meaning 'maybe' or 'perhaps'. For example, igual voy mañana means 'maybe I will go tomorrow'.
- The phrase da lo mismo uses the verb 'to give' to express that two options are 'equal' in importance or result, effectively meaning 'it doesn't matter'.
Examples in context
- Aquí todos somos iguales.We're all equal here.This sentence shows how to use igual to express that everyone is equal.Tatoeba #6874961 by arh, translation #6874262 by CK
- Uno más dos es igual a tres.One plus two is equal to three.This sentence demonstrates using igual a for mathematical equality.Tatoeba #1208992 by marcelostockle, translation #475829 by biglion
- Todos los hombres son iguales.All men are equal.This sentence shows the use of igual in a general statement about equality.Tatoeba #576207 by Leono, translation #270304 by CK
- La respuesta a la pregunta es igual en ambos casos.The answer to the question is equal in both cases.
- El valor de A es equivalente al valor de B.The value of A is equal to the value of B.
- Él y ella tienen opiniones análogas sobre el tema.He and she have analogous opinions about the topic.
- 62 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Lucía are comparing two similar shirts.
- JavierEsta camisa es igual a la otra.This shirt is the same as the other one.
- LucíaSí, son exactamente igual.Yes, they are exactly the same.
- Javier¿Crees que el color es igual?Do you think the color is the same?
- LucíaSí, Javier, el color es igual.Yes, Javier, the color is the same.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “equal” translations and entries igual, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
