How to use 'Los demas' in Castilian Spanish

Los demas

Practice speaking "Los demas" & get instant AI feedback
Start Speaking Free →
Local Usage

The Local Way to Say It

When you're out and about in Madrid, you'll hear los demás constantly when people refer to 'the rest of the people' or 'the others.' It's incredibly natural and flows off the tongue. Imagine you're with a group, and someone asks, '¿Han llegado ya los demás?' (Have the others arrived yet?). Or perhaps you're sharing tapas with friends, and you've finished, so you might say, 'Yo ya he comido, pero los demás tienen hambre.' (I've already eaten, but the others are hungry.). It's a versatile phrase for talking about everyone else in a group, making your Spanish sound authentic and local. Don't be surprised to hear '¿Qué opinan los demás?' (What do the others think?) during a lively conversation.
Grammar

The 'Grammar Math'

Think of los demás as an indefinite pronoun, always referring to people (or things, in the neutral lo demás). The 'math' is simple: it always includes a definite article (el, la, los, las) that agrees in gender and number with the group or items you're referring to. For people, it's almost always los demás (masculine plural, used for mixed groups or all males) or las demás (feminine plural, for all-female groups).

Here’s the breakdown:
• Los demás = The rest (of the people, masculine/mixed)
• Las demás = The rest (of the people, feminine)
• Lo demás = The rest (of it/things, neutral)

The word demás itself doesn't change; it's the article that does the heavy lifting to match the noun's gender and number.
Madrid Life

Madrid Context

Picture yourself on a Friday evening, trying to find your friends amidst the buzzing crowds of Malasaña or a busy bar in La Latina. You spot one friend and ask, '¿Dónde están los demás?' It's the perfect phrase for coordinating meetups, whether you're waiting for friends at the Ópera metro station before a show, or discussing plans for dinner after a stroll through El Retiro. You'll hear it in casual chats at a terraza in Chueca, or when a waiter asks if the rest of your party has arrived at a restaurant in Lavapiés. It’s part of the everyday rhythm of Madrid life.
Castilian

The Castilian Tip

While 'el resto' is grammatically correct and understood everywhere, in Madrid, 'los demás' (or las demás) often sounds more natural and conversational when referring to people. Learners sometimes stick to 'el resto' because it's a direct translation of 'the rest,' overlooking this common and authentic alternative. To sound truly Madrileño, make 'los demás' your go-to for 'the others.' A quick pronunciation tip for Madrid: ensure you pronounce the 's' at the end of 'los' and 'demás' clearly and distinctly, without aspiration. Madrid speakers typically articulate these sounds with precision.

Practice "Los demas" With Your Voice

Stop reading, start speaking. VengaVale gives you instant AI feedback on your pronunciation and grammar.

Start Speaking Free

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you say "How to use 'Los demas'" in Castilian Spanish?

In Castilian Spanish (as spoken in Spain), you say Los demas. Referring to 'the rest' of the people in a group.

What is the most common mistake learners make with "Los demas"?

Using 'el resto' correctly but missing the common 'los demas' alternative. Understanding this distinction is key to sounding natural in Spain.

Is "Los demas" used the same way in Spain and Latin America?

While understood across the Spanish-speaking world, Castilian Spanish has its own nuances and pronunciation for this. In Spain, you'll hear subtle differences in delivery and context.