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complementario

complementary, supplementary

adjective kohm-pleh-men-TAH-ryoh Rare

Usage Note

Complementario describes something that completes or supplements something else, and is a false friend to English 'complimentary' (which means free of charge or expressing praise — that is gratuito or elogioso in Spanish). It agrees in gender: una medida complementaria. In education it often refers to elective or supplementary coursework.

Examples

"El ejercicio es complementario a la dieta sana."

Natural Translation

Exercise is complementary to a healthy diet.

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