total
/toˈtal/
The English word "total" is translated into Spanish as total.
As a noun, total refers to the sum of different elements. It can also function as an adjective meaning "complete" or "entire".
Meaning: sum (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When using total as a masculine noun meaning "the sum", it is preceded by the article el (e.g., el total). As an adjective meaning "complete" or "entire", total remains the same regardless of whether the noun it modifies is masculine or feminine. To say the idiomatic expression "in total", use the phrase en total.
How do you pronounce it?
/toˈtal/
Did you know?
- In conversational Spanish, total is often used as a filler word meaning 'anyway' or 'regardless' to justify a decision. For example, someone might say total, no importa to mean 'anyway, it doesn't matter'.
- The adjective total can be used to describe a 'total stranger' as un completo desconocido, rather than using the word total itself.
- Even though total looks identical to the English word, its pronunciation in Spanish places the stress on the second syllable, 'to-TAL', unlike the English 'TO-tal'.
Examples in context
- Fue un total desastre.It was a total disaster.This example shows how to use total as an adjective.Tatoeba #5971223 by albrusgher, translation #2207464 by Hybrid
- Mary es una total fulana.Mary is a total bitch.This example uses total as an adjective to describe a person.Tatoeba #5854768 by albrusgher, translation #5790424 by Eccles17
- En total son unos diez mil dólares.The total is approximately ten thousand dollars.This example shows the use of total to describe a sum.Tatoeba #2857548 by Besatnias, translation #241307 by CK
- El total de los gastos es de 1000 euros.The total expenses amount to 1000 euros.
- El total de los votos obtenidos por el candidato fue muy alto.The total votes obtained by the candidate were very high.
- La suma total de las ventas del mes es impresionante.The total sum of the month's sales is impressive.
- La suma total de las medidas de seguridad implementadas es crucial.The total sum of the implemented security measures is crucial.
- Mi hermana es todo para mí.My sister is everything to me.
- Estoy completamente agotado después de trabajar todo el día.I'm totally exhausted after working all day.
- Comprenderé tus motivaciones completamente.I'll understand your motivations entirely.
- Esa película estuvo chévere en su totalidad.That movie was totally cool throughout.
- 18 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Javier are checking a restaurant bill.
- María¿Cuál es el total de la cuenta?What is the total of the bill?
- JavierEl total son cincuenta euros.The total is fifty euros.
- MaríaPerfecto, el total está bien.Perfect, the total is fine.
- JavierVoy a pagar ahora mismo.I am going to pay right now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry total, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
