The Spanish words: además and encima works as speech connectors. In this post our Spanish school, El Rincón del Tándem, will explain shortly how to use them. Take a look! 😊
Today we focus on meaning and usage of the Spanish words: además and encima. Both of them are Spanish adverbs and work as speech connectors.
To begin with, we remind that connectors are syntactic elements that help create well-structured speech, by linking ideas in a logical order.
These Spanish words establish different type of logical connections between statements. In fact, some connectors are used to order ideas within the speech, some explain a cause, some other are used to give examples, etc.
In today’s Spanish lesson, we talk about two connectors (además and encima) that can be easily mixed-up by students.
Además and encima are both adverbs used with the aim to add information to what it has just been said. Nevertheless, they are used in a slightly different way.
Let’s see the main difference in usages with some examples!
ADEMÁS
Además introduces additional information with the aim to reaffirm what is already stated.
It is usually translated in English with “besides, moreover, furthermore”.
- Marta trabaja todo el día. Además, se encarga de la casa y los hijos = Marta works all day. Besides, she takes care of the house and the children
- Paula es una verdadera artista: canta y toca el piano de maravilla. Además, pinta muy bien = Paula is a true artist: she sings and plays the piano beautifully. Moreover, she paints very well
- Andreas es un chico muy inteligente. Además sabe trabajar en equipo = Andreas is very clever. Moreover, he knows how to work in a team
ENCIMA
Encima means “on top of that”. Like además, it is also used to provide more information but, it has a stronger and emphatic nuance.
Unlike además, encima is only used in negative contexts. For instance, when we complain about a fact, a condition or somebody’ behaviour or attitude.
Let’s see it in the examples below:
- La habitación es muy pequeña y, encima, no tiene ventana = The room is very small and, on top of that, it has no window
- Lucas no colabora en las tareas de casa. Encima, se queja de la comida = Lucas doesn’t help with the housework. On top of that, he complains about the food
We hope this short article helps you understand the difference between the Spanish words: además and encima.
Laslty, our Spanish school, El Rincón del Tándem, invites you to keep improving your Spanish mastering new Spanish words and learning how to use them properly.
Take a look at our post on Spanish words: bueno vs bien.
¡Hasta luego!
