más que nada
/mas ke nada/from spelling rules
The phrase 'more than nothing' in Spanish is translated as más que nada.
While it literally translates to 'more than nothing', it is often used to mean 'mostly' or 'primarily' when you are describing the main reason or purpose for something.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of más (more), que (than) and nada (nothing).
Which one should you use?
Depending on the region and the specific nuance you want to convey, other phrases may be more appropriate. In Latin American countries, you can use sobre todo to mean 'above all' or principalmente to mean 'mainly' as alternatives to más que nada. In Spain, especialmente is often used to mean 'especially'.
How do you pronounce it?
/mas ke nada/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word for 'nothing' comes from a Latin phrase meaning 'no born thing'.
Examples in context
- El éxito se logra, más que nada, con perseverancia y dedicación.Success is achieved, more than anything, with perseverance and dedication.
- He venido a agradecerle, más que nada, por todo su apoyo.I came to thank you, more than anything, for all your support.
- Me gusta salir a correr, más que nada para mantenerme en forma.I like to go running, more than anything, to stay in shape.
- Quiero que vengas a mi fiesta, más que nada para pasar un buen rato.I want you to come to my party, more than anything, to have a good time.
- Necesitamos cuidar nuestro medio ambiente, más que nada para asegurar un futuro sostenible.We need to take care of our environment, mainly to ensure a sustainable future.
- Deberías estudiar, más que nada para asegurarte un buen trabajo.You should study, above all to secure a good job.
- Lo hice más que nada por curiosidad.I did it mostly out of curiosity.
- Lo hice más que nada por diversión.I did it more than anything else for fun.
- Vine aquí más que nada para saludarte.I came here more than anything else to say hello to you.
- Estudio más que nada para mejorar mi español.I study more than anything else to improve my Spanish.
Example conversation
María and Mateo are talking about why Mateo joined a local cooking class.
- María¿Por qué te inscribiste en la clase de cocina?Why did you sign up for the cooking class?
- MateoLo hice más que nada por la experiencia.I did it more than anything else for the experience.
- María¡Qué bueno! Yo también quiero aprender.That's great! I want to learn too.
- MateoDeberías venir conmigo la próxima semana.You should come with me next week.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries más, nada, que, CC BY-SA 4.0.
