vs
QUICK ANSWER
"El exceso" is a noun which is often translated as "excess", and "la sobra" is a noun which is also often translated as "excess". Learn more about the difference between "el exceso" and "la sobra" below.
el exceso(
ehk
-
seh
-
soh
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
a. excess
Sus comentarios no muestran un exceso de confianza sino arrogancia.His remarks reflect not an excess of confidence but of arrogance.
2. (overplus)
a. surplus
Vendimos el exceso de la producción a precio de coste.We sold the production surplus at cost price.
los excesos
A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
3. (abuse)
a. excesses
El ejército enemigo cometió numerosos excesos durante la ocupación.The enemy army perpetrated numerous excesses during the occupation.
b. overindulgences
A los banqueros sus excesos les costaron mucho y fueron arrestados por malversación.The bankers paid a high price for their overindulgences and were arrested for embezzlement.
la sobra(
soh
-
brah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
las sobras
A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
2. (culinary)
3. (sewing)
a. remnants
Aproveché las sobras de la tela para hacerle un vestido a la muñeca de mi hija.I used the remnants of the cloth to make a dress for my daughter's doll.
a. dregs
Hay gente que sabe leer las sobras del café para adivinar el futuro.There are people who can read coffee dregs to predict the future.
