Learn Spanish (Latin America): Sobre todo, necesitamos tiempo.

Sobre todo, necesitamos tiempo.

Above all, we need time.

Breakdown of Sobre todo, necesitamos tiempo.

above all, especially

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Questions & Answers about Sobre todo, necesitamos tiempo.

How does sobre todo fit into the lesson about words like incluso and hasta?

It belongs to the same family of focusing adverbs. While incluso and hasta mean 'even' (adding something surprising to a list), sobre todo means 'above all' or 'especially'. It highlights tiempo as the most important item on an implied list of things we need.

Is it okay to write it as a single word, sobretodo?

No, be careful with the spelling! When it means 'above all' or 'especially', it is always two words: sobre todo. If you write it as one word, sobretodo, it is a noun that means an overcoat or a raincoat.

Why isn't there a definite article here, like el tiempo?

We leave out the article because we are talking about an unspecified amount of time, similar to saying 'we need some time' in English. If we were referring to a specific timeframe, like 'the time we spent', we would use el tiempo.

Does sobre todo have to go at the beginning of the sentence?

Not necessarily. You could also put it at the end and say Necesitamos tiempo, sobre todo. However, placing it at the very beginning adds stronger emphasis, which fits the dramatic meaning of 'above all' perfectly.