Subtraction, or resta in Spanish, is the process of taking one number away from another to find the difference. If you know how to add, subtracting is just about thinking in reverse!
- The result of subtraction is called the difference (la diferencia).
- We write subtraction with the minus sign: \(a - b = c\).
- Subtracting "b" from "a" means: start with "a," take away "b," and see what's left.
Subtraction in Spanish is 'resta.'
Subtraction Vocabulary
| Spanish | English | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| la resta | subtraction | The operation of subtracting |
| restar | to subtract | The verb for subtraction |
| la diferencia | difference | The result of a subtraction |
| menos | minus | The word/ symbol for "minus" |
| tomar | to take | Used to explain the concept ("take away") |
Exercise
- What is the Spanish word for subtraction?
- What do you call the result of a subtraction in Spanish?
- How do you say “minus” in Spanish?
How to Say Simple Subtraction Sentences
If you want to say a subtraction sentence in Spanish, here’s the pattern:
[Number] menos [number] es igual a [answer].
Example:
- 7 - 3 = 4
- Siete menos tres es igual a cuatro.
The correct way is 'Siete menos tres es igual a cuatro.'
The correct phrasing is 'Diez menos cinco es igual a cinco.'
Exercise: Write the subtraction sentence for these in Spanish:
- 9 - 4 = 5
- 12 - 7 = 5
Borrowing and Regrouping Made Easy
When you subtract and the top number is smaller than the bottom number, you “borrow” from the next column. This is regrouping, sometimes called “borrowing.”
Imagine you have 30 and 4 pennies but need to subtract 17 pennies. You “borrow” 10 from the 30 (making it 20), then add that 10 to the 4 pennies (making 14). Now you can subtract!
- Borrowing/Regrouping happens when a top digit is smaller than the bottom digit.
- You take 1 from the next column over (like “borrowing” a $10 bill).
'Regrouping' is 'reagrupación' in Spanish.
Borrowing means taking value from the next column to subtract, and it is also called regrouping.
Exercise
- Why do we borrow when subtracting?
- What is borrowing/regrouping in Spanish?
Negative Numbers: When the Answer Goes Below Zero
If you subtract a bigger number from a smaller number, you get a negative number. Negative numbers are less than zero and are shown with a minus sign before them.
Example:
- 3 - 5 = -2
- Tres menos cinco es menos dos.
Negative numbers start with a minus sign and mean “below zero.”
Negative number in Spanish is 'número negativo.'
The correct phrasing is 'Tres menos cinco es menos dos.'
Conclusion
Subtracting (restar) is all about taking away and finding the difference. With just a few key words and phrases, you can do subtraction in Spanish!
- "Resta" means subtraction, and "la diferencia" is the result.
- Say subtraction sentences like "{{number}} menos {{number}} es igual a {{answer}}."
- Borrowing (reagrupación) helps when digits don’t line up, and negative numbers (números negativos) pop up when you go below zero.
Subtraction in Spanish is 'resta.'
The difference is called 'la diferencia' in Spanish.
The correct way is 'Cinco menos dos es igual a tres.'
Borrowing is 'reagrupación' in Spanish.
You borrow (regroup) when the top digit is smaller than the bottom digit.
'Negative number' in Spanish is 'número negativo.'
The correct phrasing is 'Tres menos cinco es menos dos.'