What does sobre in Spanish mean?

What is the meaning of the word sobre in Spanish? The article explains the full meaning, pronunciation along with bilingual examples and instructions on how to use sobre in Spanish.

The word sobre in Spanish means over, above, on, on top of, about, about, envelope, over-, over-, over-, over-, be left over, be extra, not be needed, be on the safe side, apply daily to, bet on, bet your house on it, bet your bottom dollar, play it safe, learn about, shed light on, shed light on an issue, walk on solid ground, hang over, loom over, hang over, placed on the table, with your feet firmly on the ground, with both feet on the ground, with your feet firmly on the ground, built over, upon request, upon request, upon ordering, on demand, on application, give a talk about, leave a note, leave a note, shower with blessings, exercise control over, be on the table, Value Added Tax, income tax, tax on, sales tax, capital gains tax, value-added tax, value added tax, income tax, income tax, tax on the increase in value of urban land, corporate tax, corporate income tax, inheritance tax, fall upon, fall on, fall to, inform of, go well, hit the hay, hit the sack, it never rains but it pours, be twiddling your thumbs, sunshine and flowers, oil on canvas, oil painting, oil on wood, give your opinion on, lay on the table, ask about, prevail over, go to, fall to, fall on, reflect on, wage withholding, on notice, above sea level, there's no accounting for taste, everyone has different tastes, based on, on the basis of, on the march, on the fly, on the go, play it safe, be on the safe side, especially, have your feet on the ground, everything is running smoothly, be about, deal with, go over an issue again, cover a topic again, return to a topic. To learn more, please see the details below.

Listen to pronunciation

Meaning of the word sobre

over, above

preposición (por encima de)

(preposition: Relates noun or pronoun to another element of sentence--for example, "a picture of John," "She walked from my house to yours.")
El avión volaba sobre Mónaco.
The airplane flew over Monaco.

on, on top of

preposición (encima)

(preposition: Relates noun or pronoun to another element of sentence--for example, "a picture of John," "She walked from my house to yours.")
El jarrón está sobre la mesa.
The pitcher is on the table.

about

preposición (aproximadamente)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
El autobús llegó sobre las diez de la noche.
The bus arrived at about ten at night.

about

preposición (acerca de)

(preposition: Relates noun or pronoun to another element of sentence--for example, "a picture of John," "She walked from my house to yours.")
El periódico no decía nada sobre el accidente.
The newspaper didn't say anything about the accident.

envelope

nombre masculino (envoltorio)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Metió la carta en el sobre y le puso el sello.
She put the letter in the envelope and put a stamp on it.

over-

prefijo (indica acción repentina)

(prefix: Added to front of word stem--for example, unsaid = un+said.)
Ejemplo: sobresaltar, sobrecoger.
Example: overhaul

over-

prefijo (indica superposición) (superior position)

(prefix: Added to front of word stem--for example, unsaid = un+said.)
Ejemplo: sobreceja, sobrecubierta.
Example: overlay

over-

prefijo (indica exceso) (excess)

(prefix: Added to front of word stem--for example, unsaid = un+said.)
Ejemplo: sobrealimentación, sobreprecio.
Example: overeating, overpriced.

over-

prefijo (indica repetición) (repetition)

(prefix: Added to front of word stem--for example, unsaid = un+said.)
Ejemplo: sobreedificar, sobrescribir.
Example: overwrite

be left over

verbo intransitivo (quedar, restar)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Con el dinero que sobró de la boda se irán de luna de miel.
They are going on vacation with the money left over from the wedding.

be extra

verbo intransitivo (exceder lo necesario)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Sobran pupitres en el salón: muchos alumnos no vinieron hoy porque están enfermos.
There are extra desks in the classroom; many students are off sick today.

not be needed

verbo intransitivo (estar de más)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Es evidente que aquí sobro; si queréis algo, ya me llamaréis.
It's apparent that I am not needed here. If you want anything, call me.

be on the safe side

locución adverbial (coloquial, América Latina (sin correr riesgos)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Me gusta apostar a la segura, intento evitar riesgos innecesarios con el dinero.

apply daily to

locución verbal (medicina: crema)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Debes aplicar este crema diariamente sobre el tatuaje durante dos semanas.
You should apply this cream to the tattoo daily for two weeks.

bet on

locución adverbial (apoyado en)

bet your house on it, bet your bottom dollar

locución verbal (sin temor a equivocarse) (colloquial)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Apuesto sobre seguro que tú no le caes bien a toda la gente.
I bet my bottom dollar that not everyone likes you.

play it safe

locución verbal (ES, coloquial (al ganador)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
La novia apostó sobre seguro con un vestido blanco clásico.
The bride played it safe with a classic white dress.

learn about

(concreto)

Necesito aprender sobre mecánica básica para mi curso de manejo.
I need to learn about basic mechanics for my driving course.

shed light on

locución verbal (esclarecer)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Las últimas investigaciones han arrojado luz sobre el misterioso asesinato.

shed light on an issue

locución verbal (aclararla)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Con el siguiente estudio esperamos arrojar luz sobre esta cuestión tan controvertida.
Our next study will shed light on this controversial issue.

walk on solid ground

locución verbal (figurado (no correr riesgos) (figurative: security)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Es mejor caminar sobre terreno seguro si queremos invertir.
We'd better walk on solid ground if we want to invest.

hang over

(amenaza: aproximarse)

La desgracia se cernía sobre la pareja.
Disgrace hung over the couple.

loom over, hang over

(amenaza: aproximarse)

Todo indicaba que una gran crisis económica se cernía sobre el país.
Everything pointed to a major economic crisis hanging (or: looming) over the country.

placed on the table

locución adverbial (puesto en la mesa)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

with your feet firmly on the ground, with both feet on the ground

locución adverbial (con sensatez) (figurative)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
El padre le enseñó a tomar sus decisiones con los pies sobre la tierra.
His father taught him to make his decisions with his feet firmly on the ground.

with your feet firmly on the ground

locución adjetiva (sensato, realista)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Mi yerno es un hombre con los pies sobre la tierra.
My son-in-law is a man with his feet firmly on the ground.

built over

(edificado encima de)

Mis padres compraron una casa en un barrio construido sobre un antiguo cementerio.

upon request

locución adjetiva (por solicitud)

upon request, upon ordering, on demand, on application

locución adverbial (por solicitud)

give a talk about

locución verbal (dar una conferencia)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
En el colegio de mis hijas, van a dar una charla sobre la disciplina en casa.
At my daughters' school, they are going to give a talk about discipline in the home.

leave a note

locución verbal (anotación, aclaración)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Dejé una nota sobre lo que estábamos hablando.

leave a note

locución verbal (recado, mensaje)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Deja una nota sobre lo que tienes que hacer.

shower with blessings

locución verbal (bendecir)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
El sacerdote derrama bendiciones sobre su rebaño.
The priest showered his flock with praise.

exercise control over

locución verbal (mandar sobre)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
¿De qué sirve tener subalternos si no ejercemos el mando sobre ellos?

be on the table

locución verbal (tema: en discusión)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Está sobre el tapete la idea de la marcha por la paz.

Value Added Tax

(a bienes y servicios)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

income tax

locución nominal masculina (gravamen de ingresos)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

tax on

(que grava algo)

El gobierno debatió el impuesto sobre las ganancias.
The government debated the tax on earnings.

sales tax

(der: grava la propiedad de bienes) (at purchase)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

capital gains tax

(der: grava los rendimientos de capital)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

value-added tax, value added tax

(ES (der: impuesto sobre el consumo)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

income tax

(a ingresos)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Si tus ingresos anuales superan el límite establecido tendrás que pagar impuesto sobre la renta.
If your annual income exceeds the established limit then you will have to pay income tax.

income tax

(ES (der: impuesto pesonal sobre la renta)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

tax on the increase in value of urban land

(ES (der: grava aumento de valor de bienes)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

corporate tax, corporate income tax

locución nominal masculina (ES (a la renta)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

inheritance tax

(der: sobre las herencias)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

fall upon, fall on

(caer sobre una superficie)

Los rayos de sol incidieron sobre la superficie del cristal y provocaron el fuego.
The sun's rays fell upon the surface of the crystal and caused a fire.

fall to

(recaer sobre alguien)

La responsabilidad de organizar el evento incidió sobre Ricardo.
The responsibility for organizing the event fell to Ricardo.

inform of

(comunicarle algo a alguien)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
La empresa nos informó del recorte de personal.
The company informed us of the staff cutbacks.

go well

expresión (bien, sin problemas)

El negocio va sobre ruedas; las ventas aumentan día a día.
The business is going well; sales are rising day by day.

hit the hay, hit the sack

locución verbal (coloquial (a dormir, a la cama) (colloquial)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Ya es tarde y estoy cansada: me voy al sobre.
It's late already and I'm tired: I'm going to hit the hay.

it never rains but it pours

locución verbal (figurado (repetición de cosas malas)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Últimamente sólo llueve sobre mojado en esta empresa y todo sigue igual de mal.

be twiddling your thumbs

locución adverbial (coloquial (sin hacer nada)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

sunshine and flowers

expresión (coloquial (inmejorable) (UK)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Juan es feliz, su matrimonio va como miel sobre hojuelas.

oil on canvas

(técnica artística)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
El artista eligió la técnica de óleo sobre lienzo para su cuadro.
The artist chose the technique of oil on canvas for his painting.

oil painting

(obra: pintura)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
A pesar de sus pequeñas dimensiones, este óleo sobre lienzo es impactante.
Despite its small dimensions, this oil painting is impressive.

oil on wood

(pintura en tabla) (art)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
La obra está pintada en óleo sobre madera.

give your opinion on

(expresar su opinión de algo)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
En esta encuesta, se pide a los participantes que opinen sobre varias marcas del país.
ⓘEsta oración no es una traducción de la original. 9 out of 10 visitors rated the hotel service as excellent.

lay on the table

(figurado (someter a debate) (literal)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Entre tú y yo, es mejor poner las cosas sobre la mesa y ser sinceros.
ⓘEsta oración no es una traducción de la original. Maria laid the cards on the table and told him the truth.

ask about

(pedir información sobre)

Carlos preguntó sobre los horarios de las clases.
Carlos asked about the class schedules.

prevail over

(imponerse a)

La razón raramente prevalece sobre la emoción.
Reason rarely prevails over emotion.

go to

(corresponder a, tocar a) (prize)

El premio a mejor composición musical recayó en la película australiana. El aumento de las ventas es una responsabilidad que recae sobre nuestro equipo.
Increasing sales is a responsibility that falls on our team.

fall to, fall on

(incidir en)

La crisis económica recayó sobre todo el pueblo.
The economic crisis fell on the whole population.

reflect on

(meditar sobre)

Pedro reflexionó sobre todo lo sucedido.
Pedro reflected on everything that had happened.

wage withholding

locución nominal femenina (confiscación para impuestos) (taxes)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

on notice

locución adjetiva (que ha sido prevenido)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Estás sobre aviso: si vuelves a mirar a tu compañero, te anulo el examen. El mensajero puso sobre aviso al ejército antes del ataque del enemigo.
You're on notice: if I catch you looking at your classmate again I'll throw you out of the exam.

above sea level

locución adverbial (más alto que el mar)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Perú tiene zonas a más de 150 metros sobre el nivel del mar.
There are areas of Peru at more than 150 metres above sea level.

there's no accounting for taste, everyone has different tastes

expresión (deseos, opiniones)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
–¿Cómo te puede gustar el té si es agua pintada? –Sobre gustos no hay nada escrito.
"How could you like tea? It's just tinted water." "There's no accounting for taste."

based on, on the basis of

locución adverbial (da razón, justifica)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Based on John's criminal record, the detective considered him a possible suspect.

on the march, on the fly, on the go

locución adverbial (en acción)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Ya no tenemos tiempo para hacer planes; debemos comenzar el proyecto y hacer las correcciones sobre la marcha.
We don't have any more time for planning. We must start the project and make any changes that need to be made on the fly.

play it safe, be on the safe side

locución adverbial (sin correr riesgos)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Prefiero arriesgarlo todo a ir sobre seguro.

especially

locución adverbial (principalmente)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Conduce con cuidado; sobre todo en la autopista.
Drive carefully, especially on the motorway.

have your feet on the ground

locución verbal (ser realista, sensato)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Al parecer, los jóvenes de hoy en día tienen los pies en la tierra y actúan con precaución.
Apparently, young people today have their feet on the ground and act with caution.

everything is running smoothly

expresión (todo va bien)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
No te preocupes por el negocio: todo va sobre ruedas y muy pronto comenzaremos a ver los resultados.
Don't worry about the business: everything is running smoothly and soon we will begin to see the results.

be about, deal with

(hablar, versar)

Este libro trata de la guerra civil. Los artículos de esta revista tratan sobre calentamiento climático.
The book is about (or: deals with) the civil war.

go over an issue again

locución verbal (retomar un tema)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

cover a topic again, return to a topic

locución verbal (retomar una cuestión)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

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Related words of sobre

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Spanish (español), also known as Castilla, is a language of the Iberian-Romance group of the Romance languages, and the 4th most common language in the world according to Some sources, while others list it as a 2nd or 3rd most common language. It is the mother tongue of about 352 million people, and is spoken by 417 million people when adding its speakers as a language. sub (estimated in 1999). Spanish and Portuguese have very similar grammar and vocabulary; The number of similar vocabulary of these two languages is up to 89%. Spanish is the primary language of 20 countries around the world. It is estimated that the total number of speakers of Spanish is between 470 and 500 million, making it the second most widely spoken language in the world by number of native speakers.