In Spanish, “además” means “also,” while “aparte de eso” and “fuera de eso” fit when you mean “other than that.”
“Besides” looks small on the page, yet it does a lot of work in English. Sometimes it adds a point. Sometimes it shifts the topic. Sometimes it means “other than that.” That’s why this word can trip people up in Spanish. There isn’t one perfect match for every sentence, and that’s where many learners get stuck.
The good news is that Spanish gives you clear options once you know the job the word is doing. If you mean “also,” one choice sounds right. If you mean “apart from that,” another one fits better. If you use the wrong version, the sentence may still be understood, but it can feel off or too literal.
This article sorts that out in plain English. You’ll see when to use además, when to switch to aparte de eso, when fuera de eso sounds more natural, and when a full rewrite is the smartest move. By the end, you’ll be able to say what you mean without guessing.
How To Say Besides In Spanish Without Sounding Stiff
If you search for How To Say Besides In Spanish, the answer depends on the sentence. The most common translation is además. That works when “besides” means “also,” “what’s more,” or “on top of that.”
Take this sentence: “I’m tired, and besides, I don’t have time.” In Spanish, además fits well: Estoy cansado y, además, no tengo tiempo. The speaker adds one more reason. That’s the cleanest match.
Now look at a different sentence: “Besides that, the class was useful.” Here the sense is closer to “other than that.” Spanish often sounds better with aparte de eso or fuera de eso. A natural version would be: Aparte de eso, la clase fue útil.
That’s the pattern to hold onto. English uses one word in a lot of places. Spanish splits those meanings into separate expressions. Once you spot the meaning first, the translation gets much easier.
The Three Main Meanings You Need
Most uses of “besides” fall into three groups. The first means “also” or “in addition.” The second means “other than that” or “apart from that.” The third appears before a noun, as in “besides math” or “besides my brother.” Each group pushes you toward a different Spanish choice.
That’s why word-for-word translation can sound clunky. A learner sees one English word and wants one Spanish word back. Spanish doesn’t play that game here. It asks what role the word plays in the sentence.
Why Además Is The First Word Most Learners Meet
Además is common, short, and flexible. It works well in speech and in writing. It can sit near the start of a sentence, in the middle with commas, or after a first clause. It often feels close to “besides,” “also,” and “furthermore,” though that last English word sounds more formal than the Spanish term in many daily situations.
You can use it with reasons, opinions, and added facts. “The hotel was noisy. Besides, it was too expensive” becomes El hotel era ruidoso. Además, era demasiado caro. That sounds natural and direct.
Still, además is not your answer every time. If your sentence means “except for that” or “apart from that,” forcing además into place will blur the meaning.
Saying Besides In Spanish In Real Sentences
Here’s where things click. Instead of memorizing one translation, tie each Spanish phrase to a sentence pattern. That gives you something you can use right away when speaking, writing, or reading.
| Meaning In English | Natural Spanish Choice | When It Fits |
|---|---|---|
| Besides = also | además | Adds one more point or reason |
| Besides = on top of that | además | Builds a stronger argument |
| Besides that | aparte de eso | Moves to “other than that” |
| Besides that | fuera de eso | Sounds natural in casual speech |
| Besides math | además de matemáticas | Used before a noun |
| Besides my sister | además de mi hermana | Means “in addition to” someone |
| Besides that point | aparte de ese punto | Separates one detail from the rest |
| Besides, I’m busy | además, estoy ocupado | Intro to a fresh supporting reason |
You can see a split here. Además handles addition. Aparte de eso and fuera de eso handle separation. Then además de comes in before a noun phrase.
Using Además For Added Reasons
Use además when you could swap “besides” with “also,” “plus,” or “on top of that.” This is common in argument writing and everyday speech. “I don’t want to go. Besides, it’s late” becomes No quiero ir. Además, es tarde.
This version is crisp and easy to place. You’ll hear it often in essays, class discussions, podcasts, and daily chat. It sounds neutral, which makes it a safe choice when you’re not trying to sound slangy or formal.
Using Aparte De Eso For “Other Than That”
Aparte de eso works well when you’re separating one detail from the rest. “The trip was good. Besides that, the food was cheap” can be said as El viaje estuvo bien. Aparte de eso, la comida era barata.
This phrase tells the listener, “I’m setting that first point aside, and here’s what remains.” It has a neat, tidy feel. In writing, it reads smoothly. In speech, it sounds natural and clear.
Using Fuera De Eso In A Casual Tone
Fuera de eso often appears in conversation. It can sound a touch more relaxed than aparte de eso. “I was sick all week. Besides that, things were fine” becomes Estuve enfermo toda la semana. Fuera de eso, todo estuvo bien.
Not every region uses it with the same frequency, yet it’s widely understood. If you want a spoken, everyday feel, this phrase is worth learning.
When “Besides” Comes Before A Noun
English often puts “besides” right before a noun: “Besides Spanish, she speaks French.” In this pattern, Spanish usually uses además de. The sentence becomes Además de español, habla francés.
This form is handy because it stays stable. You’re not choosing between three or four options. If the meaning is “in addition to,” and a noun comes next, además de is often the one you want.
You can also use it with people, places, and activities: Además de su trabajo, estudia por la noche. Or: Además de Lima, visitaron Cusco. It flows well in both speech and writing.
A Small Trap With Literal Translation
Learners sometimes try to force a single word in every case. That leads to odd sentences like using además where además de is needed, or using aparte de eso when the meaning is just “also.” The sentence may still limp across the finish line, though it won’t sound smooth.
A cleaner habit is this: ask whether “besides” adds something, separates something, or introduces a noun phrase. That one question fixes most mistakes.
| English Sentence | Spanish Version | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Besides, I need more time. | Además, necesito más tiempo. | Adds a fresh reason |
| Besides that, the movie was fine. | Aparte de eso, la película estuvo bien. | Means “other than that” |
| Besides math, he studies music. | Además de matemáticas, estudia música. | Goes before a noun |
| Besides my cousins, no one came. | Además de mis primos, no vino nadie. | Shows addition with people |
Common Mistakes And Better Fixes
One common slip is treating además as a universal answer. It’s useful, yes, but it won’t carry every shade of “besides.” If your sentence means “apart from that,” pick a phrase that marks separation, not addition.
Another slip is translating the English structure too closely. Spanish often prefers a slight rewrite. “Besides, what could I do?” may sound stronger as Además, ¿qué podía hacer? That keeps the rhythm natural instead of dragging English order into Spanish.
There’s also the punctuation issue. With además in the middle of a sentence, commas often help: Estoy cansado y, además, tengo hambre. In speech, that pause is easy to hear. On the page, the commas keep the sentence tidy.
Which Option Should You Learn First
Start with three forms: además, además de, and aparte de eso. Those cover a huge share of real use. Then add fuera de eso once you’re comfortable and want a more spoken feel.
If you learn only one phrase, make it además. It’s the one you’ll meet most often when “besides” means “also” or “plus.” Then build from there.
How Native-Like Choices Start To Feel Easy
The shift from textbook Spanish to natural Spanish often comes from choices like this one. Not big grammar points. Not giant verb charts. Just the small connectors that glue ideas together. “Besides” is one of those connectors.
When you read Spanish, pay attention to what comes after each phrase. If a noun follows, notice además de. If the speaker adds a reason, notice además. If they mean “other than that,” watch for aparte de eso or fuera de eso. That pattern will start to feel familiar faster than you’d think.
So what’s the clean answer? If you mean “also,” use además. If you mean “other than that,” use aparte de eso or fuera de eso. If a noun comes next, use además de. Once you sort the meaning first, saying “besides” in Spanish stops being confusing and starts feeling natural.