Sobretot

Sobretot is a Catalan adverb meaning above all or especially. It is used to emphasize the importance or priority of what follows, often modifying adjectives, verbs, or entire phrases. In Catalan sentences, sobretot can appear at the beginning or after the verb, and it typically anchors the focus of the statement. For example, one might say, "Aquest plat és bo, sobretot perquè és ràpid de preparar," to stress the efficiency as a key reason.

Etymology and regional use: Sobretot comes from a combination of sobre, meaning over or above, and tot, meaning all. The form is standard across Catalan-speaking regions, including Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, and Valencia. It is a core element of formal and colloquial style and is not usually separated into two words in Catalan orthography.

Usage notes and cross-language comparison: In Catalan, sobretot is typically written as a single word. The closest Spanish equivalent is sobre todo (two words), used with the same sense of emphasis. In other Romance languages, related terms may exist with different spellings or noun senses (for example, in Portuguese, sobretudo can also appear as a noun meaning overcoat). When translating or learning, it is important to retain the adverbial sense of emphasis rather than treating sobretot as a literal translation of a single word in other languages.