sobre todo
Lemma Details
Translation: above all; especially; particularly; mainly; most of all
Part of Speech: adverbial phrase
Etymology: Composed of 'sobre' (from Latin 'super' meaning 'above' or 'over') and 'todo' (from Latin 'totus' meaning 'all' or 'whole'). The combination literally means 'above all' or 'over everything'. This construction parallels the English 'above all' both in structure and meaning, making it relatively intuitive for English speakers.
Commonality: 90%
Guessability: 80%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Me gustan muchos deportes, sobre todo el fútbol.
I like many sports, especially soccer.
Necesitamos, sobre todo, más tiempo para completar el proyecto.
We need, above all, more time to complete the project.
La comida estaba deliciosa, sobre todo el postre.
The food was delicious, particularly the dessert.
Es importante mantenerse hidratado, sobre todo en verano.
It's important to stay hydrated, especially in summer.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'sobre' as 'over' and 'todo' as 'all' = 'over all' or 'above all'
- Imagine placing something important on top of ('sobre') everything else ('todo')
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
This phrase is widely used in both formal and informal contexts in Spanish-speaking countries. It's a standard way to emphasize the importance of something in relation to other things mentioned.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: 'Sobre' alone is a preposition meaning 'on', 'about', or 'over', while 'sobre todo' is an adverbial phrase meaning 'especially' or 'above all'.
Confused word:
El libro está sobre la mesa.
The book is on the table.
Notes: When you see 'sobre' followed by 'todo', it's almost always this adverbial phrase, not the preposition 'sobre' followed by the adjective 'todo'.
Mnemonic: 'Sobre todo' has 'todo' (all) added, meaning it encompasses everything to emphasize what's most important.
Explanation: While 'sobre todo' means 'especially' or 'above all', 'ante todo' means 'first of all' or 'before anything else', emphasizing priority rather than importance.
This word:
Me preocupa, sobre todo, su salud mental.
I'm concerned, above all, about his mental health.
Notes: Both phrases are used to emphasize something, but with different nuances of meaning.
Mnemonic: 'Sobre' (above) emphasizes importance, while 'ante' (before) emphasizes sequence or priority.