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"Basta" is a form of "bastar", an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to be enough". "Sobra" is a form of "sobrar", an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to be left over". Learn more about the difference between "basta" and "sobra" below.
bastar(
bahs
-
tahr
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to be enough
Esta evidencia bastará para convencerlos.This evidence will be enough to convince them.
bastarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to manage
Aunque era muy joven, Hernán aprendió a bastarse solo cuando se fue a vivir a Italia.Although he was really young, Hernan learned to manage on his own when he moved to Italy.
b. to be capable of
Meli se basta sola para sacar adelante el negocio.Meli is capable of keeping the business afloat by herself.
sobrar(
soh
-
brahr
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
1. (to remain)
a. to be left over
Si sobra comida después de la fiesta, la vamos a donar.If food is left over after the party, we'll donate it.
a. to not be needed
Usted nos sobra en esta reunión, así que se puede retirar.You are not needed at this meeting, so you can leave.
b. to be too many (with countable nouns)
Sobran platos en la mesa. - Está bien; quita uno.There are too many plates on the table. - Ok; take one off.
c. to be too much (with uncountable nouns)
Sobra comida chatarra en este carrito; mejor compramos más verduras.There is too much junk food in this cart; let's buy more vegetables instead.
d. to be more than enough
Sobra agua en la olla para cocinar el arroz.There's more than enough water in the pot to cook the rice.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
