Bienvenidos! Are you eager to learn how to say “subtract” in Spanish? You’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we’ll explore both the formal and informal ways to express this mathematical operation, providing a wealth of tips and examples to help you master the vocabulary. So, let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
The Formal Way to Say “Subtract” in Spanish
When it comes to the formal context, you’ll commonly use the verb “restar” to convey the concept of subtraction. This term is universally understood throughout the Spanish-speaking world and is essential to your Spanish arsenal. So, let’s break it down and examine its usage.
1. Verb “Restar”
The verb “restar” is derived from the Latin word “resistere,” which means “to resist” or “to subtract.” It is a regular -ar verb, meaning it follows the same conjugation patterns as other verbs ending in -ar.
Example: Restar – To subtract
2. Conjugation of “Restar”
Now, let’s explore how to conjugate the verb “restar” in different tenses to match various subjects. Here’s a breakdown of its conjugation in the present indicative:
- Yo resto – I subtract
- Tú restas – You subtract (informal singular)
- Él/Ella/Usted resta – He/She/You subtract (formal singular)
- Nosotros/Nosotras restamos – We subtract
- Vosotros/Vosotras restáis – You subtract (informal plural, Spain only)
- Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes restan – They/You subtract (formal plural)
Note: The usage of “vosotros/vosotras” is mainly restricted to Spain. In most Latin American countries, “ustedes” is used for both formal and informal plural subjects.
3. Examples Using “Restar”
Examples can greatly enhance your understanding, so here are some sentences that showcase the usage of “restar” in different scenarios:
- Necesito restar estas cantidades para obtener el resultado correcto. – I need to subtract these quantities to obtain the correct result.
- ¿Cuánto resta del total después de las deducciones? – How much remains after the deductions from the total?
- La profesora pide a los alumnos que resten los números correctamente. – The teacher asks the students to subtract the numbers correctly.
The Informal Way to Say “Subtract” in Spanish
Moving on to the informal context, you may come across different regional variations or colloquial expressions used to convey the concept of subtraction. While these terms are less formal, they are commonly understood and often used in day-to-day conversations. Let’s explore some of them.
1. “Quitar” as “Subtract”
In some regions, “quitar” is used colloquially to mean “to subtract.” Although its primary definition is “to remove” or “to take away,” it can also be used in mathematical contexts within informal speech.
Example: Quitar – To subtract
2. Examples Using “Quitar”
Here are a few examples that illustrate how “quitar” can be used to express subtraction in informal conversations:
- Si quitas tres manzanas de la cesta, ¿cuántas quedan? – If you subtract three apples from the basket, how many are left?
- Tienes que quitarle 20 minutos de tiempo de estudio a tu horario. – You have to subtract 20 minutes of study time from your schedule.
Wrap-Up
¡Felicitaciones! Congratulations on learning how to say “subtract” in Spanish. By familiarizing yourself with the formal term “restar” and the informal expression “quitar,” you can navigate various situations and converse confidently about math in Spanish. Remember, the formal term is essential for academic or professional settings, while the informal term suits casual conversations. Keep practicing, and soon arithmetic in Spanish will become second nature to you!
We hope this guide has been helpful in expanding your Spanish vocabulary. ¡Buena suerte! Good luck with your language-learning journey!
