Vocabulary

Level: A2
Accent: 1 accent
Time: 15 min

Learn Spanish: Antes de nada vs. Sobre todo for Sequence and Importance

By MicroSpanish editorial team Published 6 Nov 2026

The short answer

Use antes de nada when you mean 'first of all' or 'before doing anything else' to establish the opening step in a sequence or introduce a first remark. Use sobre todo when you mean 'above all' or 'especially' to single out a primary factor or key priority regardless of timing.

Key points

Ask yourself whether you are introducing the opening step or remark, or highlighting an element of special importance.
If the sentence marks what happens first in a sequence or first in the discourse, choose antes de nada.
If the sentence highlights what matters most or applies especially, choose sobre todo.

Start the lesson

This lesson has 5 stages. You can stop at any time and continue later.

Stage 1 of 5

Understand

What it means, when to use it, and mistakes to avoid.

Examples

Antes de nada, compro las entradas en la taquilla.

First of all, I buy the tickets at the ticket window.

Why it works: Buying the tickets is the initial required step before entering the theater.

2 more examples

Me gusta la comida casera, sobre todo la sopa caliente.

I like homemade food, especially hot soup.

Hot soup is highlighted as the primary favorite among homemade dishes.
Antes de nada, saludamos al guía amable del museo.

Before anything else, we greet the friendly museum guide.

Greeting the guide is the opening social action before beginning the tour.

Read the full guide

8 short steps, one check each

Recognize sequence versus importance

Choosing between chronological order and emphasized significance

The problem: Choosing between chronological order and emphasized significance

Start by deciding whether you need to mark what happens first in a timeline or point out what matters most in a situation.

Antes de nada, lavo los platos sucios.

First of all, I wash the dirty dishes.

Why it works: The speaker names the earliest task started before performing any other chores.
Me gusta la fruta fresca, sobre todo la manzana dulce.

I like fresh fruit, especially the sweet apple.

Why it works: Sweet apples are singled out especially among the fruits the speaker likes.

Your turn

Choose the phrase that introduces the very first step of an apartment cleaning routine.

Show the answer

Answer: Antes de nada, abro la ventana grande.

Opening the window is presented as the initial sequential action before any other cleaning step begins.

Anchor practical sequences with temporal markers

Distinguishing the initial step from subsequent sequential connectors

The problem: Distinguishing the initial step from subsequent sequential connectors

Use antes de nada to state what happens first in a routine or series of chores. While words like luego or después introduce subsequent steps, antes de nada sets up the initial action you take before you move on to any other task.

Antes de nada, ordeno la mesa del comedor.

Before anything else, I tidy the dining room table.

Why it works: The tidying step happens prior to dusting or vacuuming.
Antes de nada, revisamos la lista de compras.

First of all, we check the grocery list.

Why it works: Checking the list is the initial preparatory step before walking to the supermarket.

You can practise this again in Learn Spanish: Pasar por vs. Pasar a for Stopping By and Transitioning and Learn Spanish: De Pie vs. Sentado for Standing and Sitting States.

Your turn

Choose the sentence that correctly introduces the first action of a cooking recipe.

Show the answer

Answer: Antes de nada, lavamos las verduras frescas.

Washing the vegetables is the initial prerequisite step before proceeding to cut or cook, whereas por fin indicates a delayed conclusion.

Emphasize key preferences and details

Singling out an emphasized item among several options

The problem: Singling out an emphasized item among several options

When discussing tastes or habits, one common use of sobre todo is to single out a specific item or detail from a broader category, rather than marking what comes first in order.

Bebemos infusiones calientes, sobre todo té verde.

We drink hot herbal teas, especially green tea.

Why it works: Green tea is singled out especially among the hot herbal teas the speakers drink, without claiming it is their absolute favorite.
Compro ropa cómoda, sobre todo pantalones anchos.

I buy comfortable clothes, above all loose trousers.

Why it works: Loose trousers are singled out with sobre todo as an especially relevant example among comfortable garments.

Your turn

Choose the sentence that highlights classical music especially.

Show the answer

Answer: Escucho música variada, sobre todo música clásica.

The speaker listens to diverse music and singles out classical music especially.

Opening remarks versus a meeting's purpose

Distinguishing conversational opening remarks from central meeting goals

The problem: Distinguishing conversational opening remarks from central meeting goals

In conversations and meetings, use antes de nada to introduce what you say first. Use sobre todo to point out the main purpose or reason for meeting.

Antes de nada, quiero agradecer la ayuda de todos.

First of all, I want to thank everyone for their help.

Why it works: The speaker places the expression of gratitude before moving into other agenda items.
Nos reunimos hoy, sobre todo para resolver las dudas del proyecto.

We meet today, above all to resolve questions about the project.

Why it works: Resolving questions is highlighted as the primary objective of the meeting.

Your turn

Choose the sentence that states the primary objective of the meeting rather than an opening procedural remark.

Show the answer

Answer: Nos reunimos hoy, sobre todo para organizar el nuevo horario.

Organizing the schedule is the primary objective of the meeting, which requires sobre todo, whereas opening the session to check attendance is an initial procedural remark marked with antes de nada.

Conditional scope: highlighting relevant circumstances

Restricting general guidelines to specific conditions

The problem: Restricting general guidelines to specific conditions

In instructions and advice, sobre todo can single out a specific circumstance where a recommendation applies especially, often combining with prepositions like en or durante. Unlike antes de nada, it does not mark an earlier point in time.

Debes caminar con cuidado, sobre todo en las escaleras húmedas.

You must walk carefully, especially on wet stairs.

Why it works: Wet stairs are singled out with sobre todo as a particularly relevant circumstance requiring caution, without establishing an absolute risk ranking.
Necesitas beber agua fresca, sobre todo durante las tardes calurosas.

You need to drink fresh water, above all during hot afternoons.

Why it works: Hot afternoons are singled out as a circumstance where hydration is especially necessary, showing conditional scope rather than a sequence step.

Your turn

Choose the sentence that singles out a specific condition where wearing a helmet applies especially.

Show the answer

Answer: Llevo casco protector, sobre todo en calles oscuras.

Dark streets are singled out as a specific condition where helmet use applies especially, using sobre todo to define conditional scope.

Introduce the first action versus highlight a specific item

Contrasting clause-level sentence framing with immediate constituent attachment

The problem: Contrasting clause-level sentence framing with immediate constituent attachment

Pay attention to how each phrase fits into the sentence. In everyday Spanish, antes de nada commonly introduces the first action you take, while sobre todo can appear directly before a specific item you want to emphasize.

Antes de nada, apago las luces del pasillo.

Before anything else, I switch off the hallway lights.

Why it works: Switching off the lights is the initial task in the departure sequence.
Llevo documentos importantes, sobre todo el pasaporte nuevo.

I carry important documents, above all the new passport.

Why it works: The passport is singled out especially among the important documents.

Your turn

Choose the sentence that correctly places the emphasis marker directly before the specific item being highlighted.

Show the answer

Answer: Llevo ropa de abrigo, sobre todo una chaqueta gruesa.

The phrase sobre todo sits directly before the noun phrase 'una chaqueta gruesa' to single it out as the key item.

Distinguish a main reason from a first step

Avoiding the calque of using sequential phrases to state causal motivations

The problem: Avoiding the calque of using sequential phrases to state causal motivations

When you explain why you made a choice, use sobre todo por to emphasize your main reason. In contrast, use antes de nada when you introduce what happens or what you say first.

Elegimos este piso luminoso, sobre todo por la terraza amplia.

We chose this bright flat, above all for the spacious terrace.

Why it works: The spacious terrace is the primary motivating factor behind the choice.
Antes de nada, firmamos el contrato de alquiler.

First of all, we sign the rental agreement.

Why it works: Signing the document is the initial administrative step before moving furniture.

Your turn

Choose the sentence stating that good neighborhood transit was the main reason for selecting a gym.

Show the answer

Answer: Elijo este gimnasio moderno, sobre todo por la cercanía al transporte público.

The nearby public transit is the principal reason for the selection, requiring the emphasis marker sobre todo.

Coordinate the opening step with an emphasized highlight

Integrating chronological milestones with qualitative highlights in discourse

The problem: Integrating chronological milestones with qualitative highlights in discourse

When giving instructions or telling a short story, you can use both expressions in the same plan. Use antes de nada to name what you do first, and use sobre todo to single out an item or action as especially relevant or a key point.

Antes de nada, dejamos las maletas pesadas en el hotel.

First of all, we leave the heavy suitcases at the hotel.

Why it works: Dropping off luggage is the first sequential errand completed upon arrival.
Disfrutamos de la estancia, sobre todo por los parques verdes.

We enjoy the stay, especially because of the green parks.

Why it works: The green parks are singled out with sobre todo por as the primary feature contributing to the travelers' positive evaluation.

Your turn

Which sentence correctly pairs an initial chronological action with a singled-out priority?

Show the answer

Answer: Antes de nada guardo el dinero, y sobre todo reviso el billete de tren.

Putting away money is established as the initial step with antes de nada, while checking the train ticket is singled out as an emphasized action using sobre todo.

Before you go

Remember this

Ask yourself whether you are introducing the opening step or remark, or highlighting an element of special importance. If the sentence marks what happens first in a sequence or first in the discourse, choose antes de nada. If the sentence highlights what matters most or applies especially, choose sobre todo.

Stage 2 of 5