otra cosa
/otɾa kosa/from spelling rules
In Spanish, something else is said as otra cosa.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of otra (other/another) and cosa (thing).
Which one should you use?
While otra cosa means 'a different thing', the phrase algo más is often used when you mean 'something additional' or 'something else' in the sense of 'more'.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are referring to multiple other things, the phrase becomes the feminine plural otras cosas.
Did you know?
- The word cosa evolved from the Latin causa, which originally meant 'cause' or 'lawsuit'. Over time, the meaning shifted from a legal case to any general 'thing'.
- In Spanish, the word cosa can be used in the expression ¡Qué cosa!, which is a way to react to something strange, silly, or unexpected.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, particularly in parts of the Caribbean, people use the word cosa as a universal filler, similar to how English speakers use 'thingamajig' or 'whatsit'.
Examples in context
- Pienso en otra cosa.I'm thinking about something else.This sentence is useful for expressing what you are thinking about using otra cosa.Tatoeba #1508603 by marcelostockle, translation #1508604 by CK
- Hablaba de otra cosa.I was talking about something else.This sentence is useful for describing the topic of a conversation using otra cosa.Tatoeba #8623845 by cueyayotl, translation #2540225 by CK
- Hablemos sobre otra cosa.Let's talk about something else.This sentence is useful for suggesting a change of topic using otra cosa.Tatoeba #1945369 by marcelostockle, translation #1934814 by Spamster
- ¿Tiene algo más?Do you have something else?
- Necesito ver algo másI need to see something else
- Hablemos de otra cosaLet's talk about something else
- Necesito una idea para otra cosaI need an idea for something else
- Quiero algo másI want something else
- ¿Tienes algo más que contar?Do you have something else to tell?
- Pásame otra cosaPass me something else
- Cámbiame por otra cosaExchange me for something else
- Buscamos algo másWe are looking for something else
- Busco algo másI am looking for something else
- Necesito algo más para completar el proyectoI need something else to complete the project
- ¿Estás seguro de que no quieres algo más?Are you sure you don't want something else?
- Si no te gusta esto, puedo buscar algo másIf you don't like this, I can look for something else
- Olvídalo, discutir esto es como hablar de otra cosaForget it, discussing this is like talking about something else
- Quisiera intentar otra cosaI would like to try something else
- Hay que hablar de otra cosa, esto nos deprimeWe need to talk about something else, this is depressing
- 27 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are at a cafe deciding what to order.
- Lucía¿Quieres comer otra cosa?Do you want to eat something else?
- MateoNo, esto está muy bien.No, this is very good.
- LucíaEntonces, ¿pedimos otra cosa para beber?Then, should we order something else to drink?
- MateoSí, un café sería perfecto.Yes, a coffee would be perfect.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cosa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
