Why can't I say un otro in Spanish?

Spanish grammar treats "otro" as inherently indefinite, so adding "un" is redundant. The concept of "an-other" is already built into the word itself. You simply say "otro" or "otra."

How do you say each other in Spanish?

"Each other" is expressed with the reciprocal pronouns "el uno al otro" or, more commonly in everyday speech, by using a reflexive verb form like "se ayudan" (they help each other).

What is the difference between otro and demás?

"Otro" means another or other (singular or plural), while "los demás" means the rest or the remaining ones. "Otro" singles out one additional item; "los demás" refers to everyone or everything else as a group.

Spanish vocabulary · Beginner

How to Say Another in Spanish

Written by Sofia Ramirez, Lead Spanish Curriculum Editor · Reviewed May 2026

Otro · adjective · OH-troh

"Another" translates to "otro" (masculine) or "otra" (feminine) in Spanish. It functions as an indefinite adjective and, unlike English, is never preceded by the indefinite article "un" or "una."

Pronounced OH-troh for the masculine and OH-trah for the feminine. The stress falls on the first syllable.

¿Me puedes dar otro vaso de agua, por favor?

Can you give me another glass of water, please?

Another in Spanish: Quick Reference

Below are the most common Spanish words for another, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.

Spanish	English	Pronunciation	Region / Register
otro	another	OH-troh	Default, widely understood
otra	another		feminine form
otros/otras	another		plural forms meaning other or others

How Native Speakers Use Otro

Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.

Requesting something

Quiero otra oportunidad para explicarme.

I want another chance to explain myself.

Feminine form "otra" agrees with the feminine noun "oportunidad."

Sequential reference

Terminé un libro y empecé otro.

I finished one book and started another.

"Otro" stands alone as a pronoun replacing the previously mentioned noun.

Plural form

Los otros estudiantes ya se fueron.

The other students already left.

With a definite article, "los otros" means "the others" or "the other ones."

Avoid These Mistakes When Using Otro

Adding un before otro

Incorrect: Necesito un otro tenedor.

Correct: Necesito otro tenedor.

In Spanish, the indefinite article is never used before "otro." English says "another" (an + other), but Spanish simply uses "otro" by itself.

Gender disagreement

Incorrect: Dame otro taza.

Correct: Dame otra taza.

"Taza" is feminine, so the adjective must be feminine too: "otra taza," not "otro taza."

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See Otro used by native speakers

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Common Questions About Another in Spanish

Why can't I say un otro in Spanish?: Spanish grammar treats "otro" as inherently indefinite, so adding "un" is redundant. The concept of "an-other" is already built into the word itself. You simply say "otro" or "otra."
How do you say each other in Spanish?: "Each other" is expressed with the reciprocal pronouns "el uno al otro" or, more commonly in everyday speech, by using a reflexive verb form like "se ayudan" (they help each other).
What is the difference between otro and demás?: "Otro" means another or other (singular or plural), while "los demás" means the rest or the remaining ones. "Otro" singles out one additional item; "los demás" refers to everyone or everything else as a group.