igual pero diferente
/iɡwal peɾo difeɾente/from spelling rules
The English phrase "same but different" is translated into Spanish as igual pero diferente.
Used to describe two things that are similar in some ways but have noticeable differences.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are describing multiple things, you must change both adjectives to their plural forms, resulting in iguales pero diferentes. If the things being described are feminine nouns, the second adjective must be the feminine form distinta or diferente (though diferente is gender-neutral), as seen in igual pero distinta.
How do you pronounce it?
/iɡwal peɾo difeɾente/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, saying igual alone can be a common, shorthand way to say 'me too' or 'same here' in a conversation.
- The word pero has a surprising evolutionary history, having grown from the Late Latin phrase per hoc, which literally meant 'through this'.
- In formal literature or poetry, a writer might replace the common pero with mas to evoke an archaic tone.
Examples in context
- Las gemelas son iguales pero diferentes.The twins are the same but different.
- Ambos cuadros son similares pero con distintas características artísticas.Both paintings are similar but with different artistic characteristics.
- Las historias de los dos hermanos son parecidas pero con matices que las distinguen.The stories of the two brothers are similar but with nuances that distinguish them.
- Las dos canciones son parecidísimas, pero tienen ritmos diferentes.The two songs are extremely similar, but they have different rhythms.
- Ambas ciudades son iguales pero diferentes en su esencia cultural.Both cities are the same but different in their cultural essence.
- Estos dos platos son similares pero con ingredientes ligeramente distintos.These two dishes are similar but with slightly different ingredients.
- Son iguales pero diferentes.They are the same but different.
Example conversation
María and Alejandro are comparing two similar paintings.
- MaríaMira estas dos pinturas.Look at these two paintings.
- AlejandroParecen iguales, ¿verdad?They look the same, right?
- MaríaSí, pero son igual pero diferente.Yes, but they are same but different.
- AlejandroTienes razón, los colores varían.You are right, the colors vary.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries diferente, igual, pero, CC BY-SA 4.0.
