otro
/ˈotɾo/
The English word "other" is translated into Spanish as otro.
otro is the most straightforward and widely used translation for "other" in Spanish, used to refer to a different person or thing from one already mentioned.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. While the default form is otro, you must also use otra, otros or otras depending on the noun. Additionally, when using the phrase uno u otro (one or the other), the conjunction o changes to u for better phonetic flow.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈotɾo/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often forget to change the gender of otro to otra when referring to feminine nouns, such as persona or cosa.
Did you know?
- The English word 'alter' and the Spanish word otro share the same ancient roots, both tracing back to the Proto-Indo-European word for 'the other one'.
- When using otro to refer to people, it can sometimes carry a slightly dismissive or impersonal tone, similar to calling someone 'the other guy' in English.
- While English uses 'another' to mean 'one more', Spanish often uses otro combined with a number or the word 'más', such as otro más, to express the same idea of addition.
Examples in context
- Ni uno ni otro.Neither one nor the other.This example shows how to express the concept of 'neither one nor the other' using otro.Tatoeba #13695480 by Seael, translation #13695466 by Orange
- Va al otro lado.Go to the other side.This sentence is useful for instructing someone to go to the other side using otro.Tatoeba #7860115 by arh, translation #7895047 by helloroto
- Elige uno u otro.Choose either one or the other.This example demonstrates how to say 'either one or the other' using otro.Tatoeba #874171 by Rafp, translation #72931 by CK
- Tengo un libro, ¿tienes otro?I have one book, do you have another?
- ¿Puedes darme otra opción?Can you give me another option?
- Me gustaría probar la otra opción.I would like to try the other option.
- Elige el otro camino.Choose the other path.
- Ya probé una galleta, quiero otra.I already tried one cookie, I want another one.
- ¿Dónde están tus otros amigos?Where are your other friends?
- Vivía en un pueblo pequeño, pero ahora me mudé al otro lado.I used to live in a small town, but now I moved to the other side.
- 585 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are choosing a movie to watch.
- AlejandroNo me gusta esta película.I don't like this movie.
- Sofía¿Prefieres ver otro género?Do you prefer to watch another genre?
- AlejandroSí, busquemos otro video.Yes, let's look for another video.
- SofíaEstá bien, Alejandro.That's fine, Alejandro.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry otro, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries otro, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
