2.1.1. Tense, mood, aspect, person (for verbs)
2.1.2. Gender and number (nouns and adjectives)
4.1. How to use punctuation marks
4.2. Punctuation in greetings and closings
5.1. Grammatical and Lexical Registers
1. Post-edition at Unbabel
At Unbabel we have a unique approach to translation: each text submitted by a customer is translated by our Machine Translation system, and then corrected by our community of editors in an online platform. By editing the output of the software, the editors ensure the quality of the translations and confirm that the message is accurate (i.e., has the same meaning as the original), fluent (i.e., can be easily understood and sounds natural) and is in line with the style requested by the clients (i.e. respects their register and terminology). In order to help editors do the best job possible, we provide various types of information:
- Customer instructions, which include the identification of the client and his requests to personalize the translation, such as the register that must be used to address the recipient of the message. Following these instructions is vital to deliver translations that match the client’s expectations.
- Glossaries, which correspond to specific vocabulary and expressions used by the client, and that must be respected by the editors.
- Translation Memories, which correspond to stored segments (expressions, sentences or paragraphs) that have previously been translated and accepted for customer usage. They are useful for ensuring consistency across translations.
We also have Smartcheck, which is an application that checks the grammar, morphology, orthography and style of the translations while being edited. By using a large set of rules, Smartcheck flags words or groups of words that may present some kind of issue.
Finally, in order to deliver the best possible translation, we also provide these guidelines about your language specifications. Please, read them carefully and always follow these instructions in your editions.
2. Grammar
2.1. Agreement
2.1.1. Tense, mood, aspect, person (for verbs)
- Locutions
If the subject include syntactic constructions as junto con, junto a, además de, así como, etc., it is recommended to use the verb in plural form.
Example
Source text: The singer, along with other artists, appeared on stage.
✘ El cantante, junto con otros artistas, apareció en el escenario.
✓ El cantante, junto con otros artistas, aparecieron en el escenario.
If these syntactic constructions appear after the verb, the verb in the plural form is incorrect.
Example
Source text: The singer appeared on stage, along with other artists.
✘ Aparecieron en el escenario el cantante, junto con otros artistas.
✓ Apareció en el escenario el cantante, junto con otros artistas.
If the subject is includes syntactic constructions such as tanto __ como __, the verb must occur in the plural form.
Example
Source text: Both the supplier and the client agree to respect the agreement.
✘ Tanto el proveedor como el cliente se compromete a respetar el acuerdo.
✓ Tanto el proveedor como el cliente se comprometen a respetar el acuerdo.
- Coordinated subjects
If two or more coordinated subjects that have no determiner appear after the verb, and they are abstract and uncountable nouns, the verb must occur in the singular.
Example
Source text: He lacked temper and patience.
✘ Le faltaban tiempo y paciencia.
✓ Le faltaba tiempo y paciencia.
If these same syntactic constructions of subject appear before the verb, it is recommende to use the verb in the plural form.
Example
Source text: Temper and patience were missing.
✘ Tiempo y paciencia le faltaba.
✓ Tiempo y paciencia le faltaban.
- Partitive subjects
With partitive subjects without determiner (e.g. infinidad, multitud), the verb must occur in the plural.
Examples
Source text: Infinity of clients have been satisfied.
✘ Infinidad de clientes ha quedado satisfecho.
✓ Infinidad de clientes han quedado satisfechos.
Source text: Many people have seen the phenomenon.
✘ Multitud de personas ha visto el fenómeno.
✓ Multitud de personas han visto el fenómeno.
However, if in these same syntactic constructions the determiner un/una occurs as a partitive subject, we can write the verb in the singular or plural form.
Example
Source text: A number of people have seen the phenomenon.
✓ Una multitud de personas ha visto el fenómeno.
✓ Una multitud de personas han visto el fenómeno.
If the words montón or puñado form a partitive subject, the verb has to appear in the singular.
Example
Source text: Her/His dismissal was caused by a lot of complaints.
✘ Su despido lo causaron un montón de quejas.
✓ Su despido lo causó un montón de quejas.
- Verb haber
When the verb haber means ‘existence’ it can never be written in plural, even if the noun occurs in the plural.
Example
Source text: There were many complaints from customers.
✘ Hubieron muchas quejas por parte de los clientes.
✓ Hubo muchas quejas por parte de los clientes.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
2.1.2. Gender and number (nouns and adjectives)
A very frequent error in Spanish is the use of singular personal pronouns of indirect complements when they refer to plural nouns.
Example
Source text: He/She told the clients not to make any deposit.
✘ Le dijo a los clientes que no realizaran ningún ingreso.
✓ Les dijo a los clientes que no realizaran ningún ingreso.
When an adjective refers to two or more coordinated nouns with different gender, and appears after them, we have to write the adjective in the plural and masculine form.
Example
Source text: He has white hair and beard.
✘ Tiene el pelo y la barba blanco.
✓ Tiene el pelo y la barba blancos.
If an adjective refers to several coordinated nouns and appears before them, it agrees only with the closest one, both in gender and number.
Example
Source text: This monarch will be the great destroyer of his own kingdom and dynasty.
✘ Este monarca será el gran destructor de sus propios reino y dinastía.
✓ Este monarca será el gran destructor de su propio reino y dinastía.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
2.2. Determiners
Before feminine nouns that begin with a- or ha- (stressed syllables), it’s mandatory the use of the masculine determiner el (not la).
Examples
Source text: fresh water
✘ la agua fresca.
✓ el agua fresca.
Source text: a sharpened axe
✘ la hacha afilada
✓ el hacha afilada
However, we use the corresponding feminine form with the determiners este, ese, aquel, todo:
Examples
Source text: Give me some of that water.
✘ Dame un poco de ese agua fresca.
✓ Dame un poco de esa agua fresca.
Source text: We took all this water from the well.
✘ Hemos sacado todo este agua del pozo.
✓ Hemos sacado toda esta agua del pozo.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
Unlike English, Spanish does not use the determiner un/una when a name referring to a profession appears after the verb ser.
Example
Source text: His name is Juan, and he's a doctor.
✘ Se llama Juan, y es un médico.
✓ Se llama Juan, y es médico.
However, we use the determiner un/una if an adjective or a similar construction occurs after the name referring to a profession.
Example
Source text: His name is Juan, and he is a very famous doctor.
✘ Se llama Juan, y es médico muy famoso.
✓ Se llama Juan, y es un médico muy famoso.
The expression un poco de is invariable and does not agree with the noun that appears after it.
Example
Source text: There is still a little bit of water.
✘ Aún queda una poca de agua.
✓ Aún queda un poco de agua.
It is not correct to use possessives after an adverb. The syntactic construction ‘de + personal pronoun’ has to be used.
Examples
Source text: They did a circle in front of us.
✘ Hicieron un círculo delante nuestro.
✓ Hicieron un círculo delante de nosotros.
Source text: He/She sat next to me.
✘ Se sentó cerca mía.
✓ Se sentó cerca de mí.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
It is a very common mistake to confuse the determiner ambos with the pronoun sendos: ambos means ‘both’ or ‘one and another’, while sendos means ‘each one's own’.
Examples
Source text: My cousins came home with both of their wifes.
✘ Mis primos vinieron a casa con ambas esposas.
✓ Mis primos vinieron a casa con sendas esposas. [each one's own]
Source text: The president will present tomorrow both projects.
✘ El presidente presentará mañana sendos proyectos.
✓ El presidente presentará mañana ambos proyectos. [both]
FURTHER INFORMATION:
It is a very common mistake to confuse the ordinal numbers with the fractional numbers. The fractional numbers end in -avo/-ava in Spanish.
Example
Source text: She celebrated her 12th birthday on her own.
✘ Celebró sola su doceavo cumpleaños.
✓ Celebró sola su decimosegundo cumpleaños.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
2.3. Prepositions
It is a common mistake to confuse the terms ‘deber + infinitive’ and ‘deber de + infinitive’. The first one has a meaning of obligation, while the second one expresses an assumption. Sometimes, it can be understood that ‘deber + infinitive’ can express an assumption too.
Examples
Source text: Rules must be obeyed.
✘ Las normas deben de cumplirse.
✓ Las normas deben cumplirse.
Source text: It must be nine o’clock.
✘ Deben ser las nueve.
✓ Deben de ser las nueve.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
Some prepositions in Spanish have been erroneously reduced to a because of a process of analogy or the influence of French.
Examples
Source text: In honor to
✘ En honor a
✓ En honor de
Source text: Stripped shirt
✘ Camisa a rayas.
✓ Camisa de rayas.
Source text: Tasks to do
✘ Tareas a realizar
✓ Tareas que hay que realizar
It is also a very common mistake to confuse some expressions that frequently are used.
Examples
Source text: From my point of view
✘ Bajo mi punto de vista
✓ Desde mi punto de vista
Source text: Based on
✘ En base a
✓ Sobre la base de
FURTHER INFORMATION:
There is a phenomena called queísmo and dequeísmo. The first one occurs when the mandatory preposition de is omitted; the second one corresponds to the use of the preposition de in contexts where it shouldn’t occur.
Examples
Source text: I remember that you said we would go.
✘ Me acuerdo que me dijiste que iríamos.
✓ Me acuerdo de que me dijiste que iríamos.
Source text: I heard that it is like that.
✘ He oído de que es así.
✓ He oído que es así.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
In some cases, prepositions are contracted with determiners.
- The preposition de, when followed by the article el, is contracted to del. This doesn’t apply when el is part of a proper noun and it’s written in capital letters (as in El Paso).
Example
Source text: I saw the neighbour’s kid.
✘ He visto al hijo de el vecino.
✓ He visto al hijo del vecino.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
- The preposition a, when followed by the article el, is contracted to al. This doesn’t apply when el is part of a proper noun and it’s written in capital letters (as in El Paso).
Example
Source text: I saw the neighbour’s kid.
✘ He visto a el hijo del vecino.
✓ He visto al hijo del vecino.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
2.4. Pronouns
The correct forms for third-person personal pronouns are:
a) for the direct object, lo/los, if the referent is masculine.
b) for the direct object, la/las, if the referent is feminine.
c) for the indirect object, le (referent masculine or feminine).
Example
Source text: She had a headache.
✘ La dolía la cabeza.
✓ Le dolía la cabeza.
However, the use of the pronoun le as a direct complement is allowed only if the referent is masculine and singular:
Example
Source text: Did you see Jorge? Yes, I saw him yesterday.
✓ ¿Has visto a Jorge? Sí, lo vi ayer. [preferred]
✓ ¿Has visto a Jorge? Sí, le vi ayer.
But:
Source text: Did you see your brothers? Yes, I saw them yesterday.
✘ ¿Has visto a tus hermanos? Sí, les vi ayer.
✓ ¿Has visto a tus hermanos? Sí, los vi ayer.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
2.5. Verbs
It is not correct to use the infinitive instead of the imperative.
Examples
Source text: Come here right now!
✘ ¡Venir aquí ahora mismo!
✓ ¡Venid aquí ahora mismo!
Source text: Put on your pajamas and sleep as soon as possible.
✘ Poneros el pijama y dormiros cuanto antes.
✓ Poneos el pijama y dormíos cuanto antes.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
3. Orthography
3.1. Abbreviations
Abbreviations are always written with a dot in Spanish. Very few abbreviations are written with a slash.
Examples
✘ Dr
✓ Dr.
✘ Prof
✓ Prof.
✘ c
✓ c/
✘ cc
✓ c/c
The plural of abbreviations is formed by adding an s before the dot.
Examples
✘ cap
✘ caps
✘ cap.s
✓ caps.
✘ vol
✘ vols
✘ vol.s
✓ vols.
If the abbreviation consists of a single letter and the word is plural, it must be doubled.
Examples
Source text: Páginas.
✘ ps.
✓ pp.
Source text: Estados Unidos.
✘ E.U.
✓ EE. UU.
In abbreviations consisting of two or more words, a white space should be written between them:
Examples
✘ EE.UU.
✓ EE. UU.
✘ p.ej.
✓ p. ej.
If any of the vowels that remain in the abbreviation carry tilde, this tilde will remain in its corresponding abbreviation.
Examples
✘ pag.
✓ pág.
✘ telef.
✓ teléf.
Abbreviations from languages other than Spanish are marked in italics.
Examples
✘ vs.
✓ vs.
✘ et al.
✓ et al.
Ordinal numbers written should be written with a dot after the number with the last letter in superscript when posible.
Example
✘ 1º
✘ 1º.
✓ 1.º
FURTHER INFORMATION:
You can find more useful information about this in lema.rae.es and a very complete list of abbreviations in Spanish in rae.es.
3.2. Capitalization
In Spanish names, prepositions and determiners are written with lowercase when when we have the full name.
Example
Source text: Professor Juan Carlos de Larra
✘ El profesor Juan Carlos De Larra
✓ El profesor Juan Carlos de Larra
However, if the first name does not occur, we write the prepositions and determiners with a capital letter.
Example
Source text: Professor De Larra
✘ El profesor de Larra
✓ El profesor De Larra
In geographical names, we do not capitalize the common noun before the proper noun.
Examples
Source text: The Pacific Ocean
✘ el Océano Pacífico
✓ el océano Pacífico
Source text: The Ebro River
✘ el Río Ebro
✓ el río Ebro
Source text: The State of California
✘ el Estado de California
✓ el estado de California
Neither do we capitalize adjectives that derive from a place name.
Examples
Source text: The Iberian Peninsula
✘ la península Ibérica
✓ la península ibérica (it derives from Iberia)
Source text: The Andean Mountains
✘ la cordillera Andina
✓ la cordillera andina (it derives from Andes)
Source text: The British Islands
✘ las islas Británicas
✓ las islas británicas (it derives from Britain)
But:
Source text: The Canary Islands
✘ las islas canarias
✓ las Islas Canarias (Canarias is not an adjective derived from a place name)
However, we capitalize all noun that are part of the proper name.
Examples
Source text: The Rocky Mountains
✘ las montañas Rocosas
✓ las Montañas Rocosas
Source text: Sierra Morena
✘ la sierra Morena
✓ la Sierra Morena
Note that we do not capitalize nouns that refer to professions, royal, noble or ecclesiastic ranks, or honorifics (forms used when one addresses the members of the nobility, clergy, royalty, etc.).
Examples
Source text: The minister
✘ el Ministro
✓ el ministro
Source text: The president
✘ el Presidente
✓ el presidente
Source text: The king
✘ el Rey
✓ el rey
Source text: The bishop
✘ el Obispo
✓ el obispo
Source text: Mr. González
✘ el Señor González
✓ el señor González
Source text: Mr. Pedro Aguilar is here
✘ Ha venido Don Pedro Aguilar
✓ Ha venido don Pedro Aguilar
Unlike English, Spanish does not capitalize the gentilics or demonyms.
Examples
Source text: The Maya
✘ los Mayas
✓ los mayas
Source text: The Germans
✘ los Alemanes
✓ los alemanes
Also unlike English, the names of the days of the week, months and seasons must be written with lowercase.
Examples
Source text: Monday
✘ Lunes
✓ lunes
Source text: August
✘ Agosto
✓ agosto
Source text: Spring
✘ Primavera
✓ primavera
For works (such as books, paintings, musical pieces, etc), only the first letter of the work’s name is capitalized.
Examples
✘ Cien Años de Soledad
✓ Cien años de soledad
✘ Las Cuatro Estaciones
✓ Las cuatro estaciones
The names of religious or civil festivities are also written with capital letters.
Examples
Source text: Christmas
✘ navidad
✓ Navidad
Source text: Holy Friday
✘ viernes santo
✓ Viernes Santo
Source text: Women’s Day
✘ día de la mujer
✓ Día de la Mujer
We write with capital letters the scientific disciplines, when we refer to them as subjects of study.
Examples
Source text: I’m licensed in English Philology.
✘ Soy licenciado en filología inglesa.
✓ Soy licenciado en Filología Inglesa.
Source text: I’ve enrolled at architecture.
✘ Me he matriculado en arquitectura.
✓ Me he matriculado en Arquitectura.
Source text: I always failed English and Maths at School.
✘ En el colegio siempre suspendía inglés y matemáticas.
✓ En el colegio siempre suspendía Inglés y Matemáticas.
However, if they do not refer to subjects of study, the capital letter is not used.
Examples
Source text: Nuclear physics has experimented major progress this last years.
✘ La Física Nuclear ha experimentado grandes avances en los últimos años.
✓ La física nuclear ha experimentado grandes avances en los últimos años.
Source text: Children’s psychology is very complicated.
✘ La Psicología de los niños es muy complicada.
✓ La psicología de los niños es muy complicada.
We capitalize the names of ages and historical periods, chronological dates, historical and religious events, political or cultural movements, etc.
Examples
Source text: The Antiquity
✘ la antigüedad
✓ la Antigüedad
Source text: The Middle Ages.
✘ la edad media
✓ la Edad Media
Source text: The Second World War.
✘ la segunda guerra mundial
✓ la Segunda Guerra Mundial
The cardinal points are capitalized except when they indicate an address or orientation.
Examples
Source text: Eastern Europe
✘ Europa del este
✓ Europa del Este
Source text: Bolivia is North to Chile.
✘ Bolivia está al Norte de Chile.
✓ Bolivia está al norte de Chile.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
3.3. Compounds
In Spanish, some compounds are written together (apagafuegos) and some others include a hyphen (impulsivo-compulsivo). Regarding compounds separated by a hyphen, only the last term is sensitive to agreement.
Example
Source text: Impulsive-compulsive behavior
✘ Conductas impulsivas-compulsivas
✓ Conductas impulsivo-compulsivas
FURTHER INFORMATION:
Compounds that are written together submit to the regular rules of accentuation of single words.
Example
Source text: Drug-resistant
✘ Fármacorresistente
✓ Farmacorresistente
FURTHER INFORMATION:
When the last letter of the first element of a compound is a vowel, and the first letter of the second element is an r we duplicate the r. Also, the words whose first element ends with an r and their second element begins with an r keep rr.
Examples
Source text: Antirheumatic
✘ Antireumático
✓ Antirreumático
Source text: interconected
✘inter-relacionado
✘interelacionado
✓interrelacionado
FURTHER INFORMATION:
3.4. Diacritics
We put a acute accent (´) above stressed vowels in the last syllable if the word ends in a vowel, ‘vowel + n’ or ‘vowel + s’.
Examples
Source text: Coffee
✘ cafe
✓ café
Source text: Truck
✘ camion
✓ camión
Source text: Never
✘ jamas
✓ jamás
We do not use the acute accent if the word ends in a double consonant.
Examples
Source text: Robots
✘ robóts
✓ robots
Source text: Orleans
✘ Orleáns
✓ Orleans
We always write tilde in the words whose stress is on the third to last syllable.
Example
Source text: Banana
✘ platano
✓ plátano
The acute accent in Spanish also allows to distinguish words that are written the same but have different meanings. Normally, these are pairs of monosyllabic words.
Examples
Source text: This year has rained more than the last one.
✓Este año ha llovido más que el anterior. [más = adverb ‘more’]
Source text: The king was cruel, but his subjects loved him.
✓ El rey era cruel, mas sus súbditos lo amaban. [mas = conjunction ‘but’]
Source text: Don’t cry for me, Argentina.
✓No llores por mí, Argentina. [mí = pronoun ‘me’]
Source text: My car is parked on Atocha St.
✓ Mi coche está aparcado en la calle Atocha. [mi = possessive ‘mine’]
Source text: He knew perfectly.
✓ Él lo sabía perfectamente. [él = pronoun ‘he’]
Source text: It was a long day for him.
✓ El día se le hizo muy largo. [el = determiner ‘the’]
Source text: You understand me.
✓ Tú me entiendes. [tú = pronoun ‘you’]
Source text: Give me your address.
✓ Dame tu dirección. [tu = possessive ‘your’]
In Spanish we can never write the personal pronoun ti with an acute accent. Please note that this is a very frequent mistake.
Example
Source text: I made it thanks to you.
✘ Lo conseguí gracias a tí.
✓ Lo conseguí gracias a ti.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
Since 2010 it is not necessary to putt he acute accent above the pronouns este, ese, aquel.
Example
Source text: We were supposed to meet Antonio, Juan and Pablo. The last one didn’t came.
✘ Quedamos con Antonio, Juan y Pablo. Éste último no vino.
✓ Quedamos con Antonio, Juan y Pablo. Este último no vino.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
Likewise, since 2010 it is not necessary to write the accent above the adverb solo.
Example
Source text: My husband is only dedicated to work.
✘Mi marido se dedica sólo a trabajar.
✓Mi marido se dedica solo a trabajar.
In fact, it is a very serious error to write the accent above solo when it is an adjective.
Example
Source text: He lives alone in a big mansión.
✘ Él vive sólo en una gran mansión.
✓ Él vive solo en una gran mansión.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
3.5. Foreign words
There are some foreign words that have equivalents in Spanish. It is recommended to use the Spanish word and avoid the foreign word.
Examples
✘ abstract
✓ resumen
✘ back-up
✓ copia de seguridad
Note that many of these foreign words have been adapted to Spanish in order to be closer to the Spanish writing or pronunciation.
Examples
carpacho (better than carpaccio)
referéndum (better than referendum)
wéstern (better than western)
béisbol (better than baseball)
However, there are many foreign words that do not have equivalents in Spanish. In this case, keep the original word and write it in italics whenever possible.
Examples
blues
jazz
software
FURTHER INFORMATION:
3.6. Language variety
- Different lexicon
There are many lexical differences between European Spanish and LatAm. Here are some of the most general and widespread terms that are used differently.
|
European Spanish
|
LatAm
|
Meaning
|
|
ordenador
|
computadora
|
computer
|
|
móvil
|
celular
|
mobile / cell phone
|
|
coche
|
carro / auto
|
car
|
|
dinero
|
plata
|
money
|
|
gafas
|
lentes / anteojos
|
glasses
|
|
azafata
|
aeromoza
|
stewardess
|
|
entrada
|
boleto
|
ticket
|
|
carné [de conducir]
|
licencia de conducir
|
driving license
|
|
patata
|
papa
|
potato
|
|
judía
|
frijol
|
bean
|
|
pijama
|
piyama
|
pyjamas
|
|
sándwich
|
emparedado
|
sandwich
|
|
piscina
|
pileta / alberca
|
swimming pool
|
|
tardarse, retrasarse
|
demorarse, tardarse
|
be late, be delayed
|
|
ponerse de pie / levantarse
|
pararse
|
get up, stand up
|
|
enfadarse
|
enojarse
|
get annoyed, get angry
|
|
coger
|
tomar
|
take, catch
|
|
darse prisa
|
apurarse
|
hurry up
|
|
bonito
|
lindo
|
nice, lovely
|
|
falda
|
pollera
|
skirt
|
|
estreñido
|
constipado
|
constipated
|
|
maletero
|
cajuela
|
trunk of the car
|
Each of these words has its differences: For example, the verb coger is a very offensive term in LatAm and must always be avoided and replaced by tomar or similar verbs
Example in LatAm
Source text: To take the bus.
✘ Coger el autobús
✓ Tomar el autobús
Many words sound very old in peninsular Spanish (lindo, pollera, enojarse, etc.). They are old words that disappeared in European Spanish but remain in the LatAm variety.
Other words have different meanings: in LatAm alberca means ‘swimming pool’ while in European Spanish it means ‘water tank’ or ‘little pond’; in LATAM plata means ‘money’ while in European Spanish it means ‘silver’.
Sometimes in the LATAM variety different adverbs are used, as the adverbs of place acá or allá instead of aquí and allí.
|
European Spanish
|
LatAm
|
Meaning
|
|
aquí
|
acá
|
here
|
|
allí
|
allá
|
there
|
Finally, some words only differ in stress and accent.
|
European Spanish
|
LatAm
|
Meaning
|
|
vídeo
|
video
|
video
|
|
chófer
|
chofer
|
chauffeur, driver
|
|
fútbol
|
futbol
|
football
|
- Different use of pronouns
- Second person plural
The use of the second person in plural in pronouns (vosotros/ustedes) and the verb forms is also different in the Spanish-speaking community.
In European Spanish, a form of intimacy among friends or family as (vosotros) amáis/coméis/vivís and a form of politeness and respect as (ustedes) aman/comen/viven can be differentiated.
In LATAM, there is only the pronoun ustedes, and the verbal forms aman/comen/viven, and this does not imply different types of politeness.
- Second person singular
There is another difference regarding the use of the second person singular (tú/usted/vos). This use may vary depending on the country:
- The LatAm variety can use the pronoun tú, as is used in Spanish.
- The LatAm variety can also use the pronoun vos (voseo) with different verbal inflections (Argentina, Uruguay, Panama). The use of this pronoun vos is, however, too complex to summarize here.
- The LatAm variety can also use the pronoun usted (ustedeo) among friends or family to indicate intimacy (in some areas of Colombia).
|
|
European Spanish
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LatAm
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Second Person Plural
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Intimacy: (vosotros) amáis/coméis/vivís
Politeness: (ustedes) aman/comen/viven
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(ustedes) aman/comen/viven
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Second Person Singular
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(tú) amas/comes/vives
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(tú) amas/comes/vives
(usted) ama/come/vive
(vos) amás/comés/vivís
|
All these forms are correct in LATAM, but the preferred standard forms are tú and usted, since vos is restricted to some countries and contexts.
In case of doubts, you can always consult RAE dictionary to check how a verb is conjugated (for example, with the pronoun vos).
- Verb forms
Another big difference between European Spanish and LatAm is the use of past tenses. In European Spanish we differentiate between:
- Pretérito Indefinido (past simple), which indicates that the action is finished. Usually, the use of an adverb of time or a temporal past reference gives us a clue about its use.
Examples
Source text: Yesterday I slept all day.
✓ Ayer dormí todo el día. [European Spanish]
Source text: Last year I travelled to Barcelona.
✓ El año pasado viajé a Barcelona. [European Spanish]
- Pretérito Perfecto (Compuesto) (present perfect), which indicates that the action has not ended or is very recent. It’s usual used with temporal expressions such as hoy, esta semana, este mes.
Examples
Source text: I woke up today at 6AM.
✓ Hoy me he levantado a las 06:00. [European Spanish]
Source text: I haven’t been payed this month.
✓ Este mes no he cobrado. [European Spanish]
However, LatAm usually uses the Pretérito Indefinido (past simple), even if the action is very recent or the temporal reference has not ended.
Examples
Source text: I woke up today at 6AM.
✓ Hoy me levanté a las 06:00. [LATAM]
Source text: I haven’t been payed this month.
✓ Este mes no cobré. [LATAM]
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European Spanish
|
LatAm
|
|
The action is finished
|
El año pasado viajé a Barcelona
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El año pasado viajé a Barcelona
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Recent action or the action has not ended
|
Este mes no he cobrado
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Este mes no cobré
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- Different use of suffixes
- The LatAm variety often uses adjectives with the suffix -oso/-osa (molestoso, demoroso, labioso). Usually, this does not occur in European Spanish.
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European Spanish
|
LatAm
|
|
molesto
|
molestoso
|
|
tardón
|
demoroso
|
|
hablador, con labia
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labioso
|
- While in European Spanish adverbs have the suffix -mente; in LatAm, it is frequent that the adverb has the same form of the adjective in masculine singular (bonito, lindo, duro).
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European Spanish
|
LatAm
|
|
Arregla las cosas bien
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Arregla las cosas bonito
|
|
Canta bien / hermosamente
|
Canta lindo
|
|
Habló duramente
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Habló duro
|
- In LatAm a greater use is made of diminutive suffixes, even in adverbs (ahorita, ahisito) or quantifiers (dositos).
|
European Spanish
|
LatAm
|
|
ahora
|
ahorita
|
|
ahí
|
ahisito
|
|
dos
|
dositos
|
- Different word order
In interrogative sentences, the LatAm variety may present a sifferent orser regarding the personal pronoun, as can be seem in the following examples:
Examples
Source text: What do you say?
✓ ¿Qué tú dices? [LatAm]
✓ ¿Qué dices tú? / Tú, ¿qué dices? / ¿Qué dices? [European Spanish]
Source text: How are you?
✓ ¿Cómo tú estás? [LatAm]
✓ ¿Cómo estás tú? / Tú, ¿cómo estás? / ¿Cómo estás tú? [European Spanish]
3.7. Numerals
Regarding numerals format (written in numbers or words), you must always respect the source text: if they are written as digits in the source text, this should be maintained in the translation; on the other hand, if they are written as words, they should be translated to the target language.
1. In Spanish, since 2010, a whitespace has to be used to indicate groups of thousands, although traditionally it has always been the period.
Example
✘ 20.000
✓ 20 000
2. A comma (,) or a period (.) can be used to separate decimal numbers in Spanish. The RAE recommends the use of the period, but the comma is also valid.
Example
Source text: The number pi is approximately equal to 3,14
✓ El valor de pi es de aproximadamente 3,14
✓ El valor de pi es de aproximadamente 3.14 (preferred)
3.8. Symbols
- Symbols are always written without a dot.
Examples
✘ 10 cm.
✓ 10 cm
✘ 8 min.
✓ 8 min
- They are always preceded by a white space:
Examples
✘ 10cm
✓ 10 cm
- Symbols have no plural in writing:
Examples
✘ 3 ms
✓ 3 m
✘ 4 hs
✓ 4 h
- There are symbols that are written with an initial capital letter, such as the symbols of the chemical elements (Na, Cl, Fe), the cardinal points (N, S), etc.
- In Spanish, the liter symbol can be written with a capital or not:
Example
✓ 5 l
✓ 5 L
FURTHER INFORMATION:
You can find more useful information about this in lema.rae.es and a very complete list of symbols in Spanish here in rae.es-simbolos-alfabetizables and rae.es-simbolos-o-signos-no-alfabetizables.
4. Punctuation
4.1. How to use punctuation marks
- Comma
As a general indication, it should be recalled that the presence of a comma doesn’t necessarily correspond to a pause in oral speech and viceversa. Given this, please take into account the basic rules for comma.
- To enclose remarks.
Example
Source text: When Carlota Pérez, our project manager, gives the approval, we will get in touch with you.
✘ Cuando dé el visto bueno Carlota Pérez nuestra jefa de proyecto nos pondremos en contacto con usted.
✓ Cuando dé el visto bueno Carlota Pérez, nuestra jefa de proyecto, nos pondremos en contacto con usted.
- To enclose vocatives.
Example
Source text: Javier, remember to set up the reunion.
✘ Javier acuérdate de convocar la reunión.
✓ Javier, acuérdate de convocar la reunión.
- To replace an elided verb.
Example
Source text: Quality is our objective; cooperation, our mean.
✘ La calidad es nuestro objetivo, la cooperación nuestro medio.
✓ La calidad es nuestro objetivo; la cooperación, nuestro medio.
- After connectors that are at the beginning of the sentence: esto es, es decir, a saber, pues bien, ahora bien, en primer lugar, por un/otro lado, por una/otra parte, en fin, por último, además, con todo, en tal caso, sin embargo, no obstante, por el contrario, en cambio, etc. When they are in the middle of the sentence, include them between commas.
Example
Source text: These words are synonyms, in other words, they mean the same; the antonyms, however, have opposite meanings.
✘ Estas palabras son sinónimas, es decir significan lo mismo; los antónimos en cambio tienen significados opuestos.
✓ Estas palabras son sinónimas, es decir, significan lo mismo; los antónimos, en cambio, tienen significados opuestos.
- Before conjunctions introducing a clause within a complex sentence: pero, aunque, sino (que), más, así que, de manera que, conque, and alike conjunctions introducing consquences or results.
Example
Source text: We compromise to deliver it to you as soon as possible, but we can’t guarantee a precise date.
✘ Nos comprometemos a entregárselo lo antes posible pero no le podemos garantizar una fecha exacta.
✓ Nos comprometemos a entregárselo lo antes posible, pero no le podemos garantizar una fecha exacta.
- Before sino, when it is part of the construction no solo __, sino (también)__.
Example
Source text: His/Her words were considered offensive not only by me, but by everyone present.
✘ Sus palabras fueron consideradas ofensivas no solo por mí sino por todos los presentes.
✓ Sus palabras fueron consideradas ofensivas no solo por mí, sino también por todos los presentes.
- Before excepto, salvo and menos.
Example
Source text: He/She likes to taste every kind of food, except when there is coriander in it.
✘ Le gusta probar todo tipo de comida excepto cuando lleva cilantro.
✓ Le gusta probar todo tipo de comida, excepto cuando lleva cilantro.
- After adverbial complements preceding the verb. Note though that a comma should not be used when the construction is very short.
Examples
Source text: In those first hot summer days, the coexistence between residents was idyllic.
✘ En aquellos calurosos días de principios del verano pasado la convivencia entre los residentes era idílica.
✓ En aquellos calurosos días de principios del verano pasado, la convivencia entre los residentes era idílica.
Source text: In our company we don’t sell this kind of products.
✘ En nuestra empresa, no vendemos ese tipo de productos.
✓ En nuestra empresa no vendemos ese tipo de productos.
- After a subordinate clause preceding the main clause. Note though that a comma should not be used when the clause is very short.
Examples
Source text: If you’re going to be late, warn me.
✘ Si vas a llegar tarde avísame.
✓ Si vas a llegar tarde, avísame.
Source text: I wouldn’t come here if I knew this.
✘ Si lo sé, no vengo.
✓ Si lo sé no vengo.
- Do not include a comma between the subject and the verb.
Example
Source text: The students that haven’t turned in the essay will fail the subject.
✘ Los alumnos que no hayan entregado el, suspenderán la asignatura.
✓ Los alumnos que no hayan entregado el trabajo suspenderán la asignatura.
There are two exceptions for this rule:
- the subject is an enumeration ending with etcétera.
Example
Source text: Providers, clients, partners, etc., use to be satisfied.
✘ Los proveedores, los clientes, los socios, etc. suelen quedar satisfechos.
✓ Los proveedores, los clientes, los socios, etc., suelen quedar satisfechos.
- the subject is followed by a remark or by any other element which should enclosed in commas:
Example
Source text: The company, as you know, is growing.
✘ La empresa como ya sabe está en periodo de crecimiento.
✓ La empresa, como ya sabe, está en periodo de crecimiento.
- Do not include a comma before y, e, o, u, ni. Note that this is different from English.
Example
Source text: It’s an innovative project, leading edge, and respectful with the environment.
✘ Es un producto innovador, puntero, y respetuoso con el medioambiente.
✓ Es un producto innovador, puntero y respetuoso con el medioambiente.
- Please note that when we want to express that a city belongs to a country, it is incorrect to put commas between the name of the country. In Spanish, we should use parentheses.
Example
Source text: The congress, which took place in Madrid (Spain) was a success.
✘ El congreso, que tuvo lugar en Madrid, España, resultó un éxito.
✓ El congreso, que tuvo lugar en Madrid (España) resultó un éxito.
- Semi-colon
Please bear in mind that the word after the semi-colon should be written in lowercase.
- The semi-colon is used to separate the elements in an enumeration when those are complex expressions including a comma.
Example
Source text: All of them gathered: the executive president, Gabriel Fernández; the managing director, Juan aguiar, and the general secretary, Juan José López.
✘ Se dieron cita el presidente ejecutivo, Gabriel Fernández, el consejero delegado, Juan Aguiar y el secretario general, Juan José López.
✓ Se dieron cita el presidente ejecutivo, Gabriel Fernández; el consejero delegado, Juan Aguiar, y el secretario general, Juan José López.
- The semi-colon is used before conjunctions that introduce long clauses within a complex sentence. Such conjunctions are: pero, aunque, sino (que), más, así que, de manera que, conque and alike conjunctions introducing consquence or results.
Example
Source text: We worked hard during all the campaign in order to meet the objectives; however, the results weren’t as good as expected.
✘ Trabajamos a fondo durante toda la campaña para cumplir los objetivos, sin embargo, los resultados no fueron los esperados.
✓ Trabajamos a fondo durante toda la campaña para cumplir los objetivos; sin embargo, los resultados no fueron los esperados.
- Period
- While periods are used after abbreviations (etc.), they are not used after symbols (kg).
- If a sentence ends with an abbreviation, do not include another period; you should use only one.
Example
Source text: All her relatives came to see her: her uncles, her cousins, her nephews, etc.
✘ Fueron a verla todos sus parientes: tíos, primos, sobrinos, etc..
✓ Fueron a verla todos sus parientes: tíos, primos, sobrinos, etc.
- Do not include a period after ellipsis, exclamation point or question mark.
Examples
Source text: She likes all cinema genres: noir, historical, adventures… she is a film lover.
✘ Le gusta todo tipo de cine: negro, histórico, de aventuras.... Es una cinéfila.
✓ Le gusta todo tipo de cine: negro, histórico, de aventuras... Es una cinéfila.
Source text: What a temperament!
✘ ¡Menudo carácter!.
✓ ¡Menudo carácter!
Do include a period though if the closing exclamation point or question mark is followed by quotes or brackets:
Example
Source text: Suddenly, he/she started yelling (what a temperament!)
✘ De repente se puso a gritar (¡menudo carácter!)
✓ De repente se puso a gritar (¡menudo carácter!).
- In Spanish the period is used as a thousand separator (eg. 23.415). Note though that there are some exceptions for this rule: years, page numbers, street numbers in addresses, post codes, and numbers for legal articles and laws do not take a period as a thousand separator.
Examples
Source text: Year 1987
✘ año 1.987
✓ año 1987
Source text: Page 1150
✘ página 1.150
✓ página 1150
Source text: Mayo Avenue, 1370
✘ avenida de Mayo, 1.370
✓ avenida de Mayo, 1370
Example
Source text: 28010 Madrid.
✘ 28.010 Madrid
✓ 28010 Madrid
Example
Source text: Royal Ordinance 1099/1986
✘ Real Decreto 1.099/1.986
✓ Real Decreto 1099/1986
- Quotation marks
- Angled quotation marks («») are preferred over the so-called English quotes (“”).
- When quotes are required several times at a sentence, use angled quotation marks first, English quotes next and, last, single quotes (‘ ’).
Example
Source text: Antonio told me “What a ‘banger’ has Julián bought.”
✓ «Antonio me dijo: “Vaya ‘cacharro’ que se ha comprado Julián”».
- Quotes are basically used for introducing direct speech:
Example
Source text: That day I thought: “this is what we need”.
✓ Ese día pensé: «esto es lo que necesitamos».
- Quotes can also be used used to pinpoint the special use of a word: irony, foreign word, etc.
Example
Source text: The board management was so “excellent” that all the investors left.
✓ La gestión de la junta resultó tan «excelente» que se marcharon todos los inversores.
- Exclamation point and question mark
Although skipping the opening exclamation point (¡) and question mark (¿) is common in informal texts, do include them.
Example
Source text: Congratulations!
✘ Enhorabuena!
✓ ¡Enhorabuena!
- Brackets
Brackets are used for including some clarification or aside information.
Examples
Source text: How many countries form the UN (United Nations)?
✓ ¿Cuántos países integran la ONU (Organización de las Naciones Unidas)?
Source text: The assemblies (last one lasted four hours without any pause) are celebrated in the assembly hall.
✓ Las asambleas (la última duró casi cuatro horas sin ningún descanso) se celebran en el salón de actos.
4.2. Punctuation in greetings and closings
In greetings of emails or letters, if we write a stereotyped formula like Querido/Estimado X or A la atención de X, we have to end the formula with a colon (:). Please note that writing a comma is a very frequent mistake that should be avoided.
Examples
Source text: Dear Juan,
✘ Estimado Juan,
✓ Estimado Juan:
Source text: Attn: Mrs. M. Ruiz,
✘ A la atención de María Ruiz,
✓ A la atención de María Ruiz:
If we write a complete sentence like Hola, X or Buenos días, X (or even just Hola), we also have to use a colon (:) in Spanish. A non-preferred alternative (but still correct) is the use of a period instead of a colon.
Examples
Source text: Hello,
✘ Hola,
✘ Hola,
✓ Hola. [non-preferred]
✓ Hola:
Source text: Good morning Ana,
✘ Buenos días, Ana,
✘ Buenos días Ana:
✓ Buenos días, Ana. [non-preferred]
✓ Buenos días, Ana:
Please note that in these cases we have to always write a comma before the proper name because it is a vocative.
In informal register, there can be exclamation marks as well.
Example
Source text: Hello María!
✓¡Hola, María!
✓¡Hola, María!
5. Register
5.1. Grammatical and Lexical Registers
Register refers to the level of formality used in the text. It shows how our clients address their customers and contributes to the voice of the brand itself. Register may vary depending on the company, the brand, the service they offer, the customers, and the target language.
We make a first main distinction between grammatical and lexical register: the first one regards the use of pronouns and verb person (for the languages to which this morphological feature is applied), while the latter is related to lexical choices, since some words and expressions also have a degree of formality or colloquialism.
Both these registers are also divided into formal and informal, as shown below.
5.2. Formal Register
In Spanish, the use of the formal register requires the use of the personal pronoun usted(es), the possessive su(s)/suyo(s) and the corresponding verbal conjugation (the third person). The personal pronoun usted(es) and the possessive su(s) do not vary in gender, only in number.
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Category
|
Examples
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Type of Register
|
|
Personal pronouns
|
usted
ustedes
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Grammatical
|
|
Verbs (person used to conjugate the verb: third person)
|
usted ama/come/vive
ustedes aman/comen/viven
|
Grammatical
|
|
Possessive pronouns
|
su(s)
suyo(s)
|
Grammatical
|
|
Abbreviations
|
Ud. (singular)
Uds. (plural)
|
Grammatical
|
|
Greetings
|
Buenos días, buenas tardes, buenas noches
Estimado José
Estimada María
|
Lexical
|
|
Closings
|
Un saludo, un cordial saludo
Saludos, saludos cordiales
|
Lexical
|
5.3. Informal Register
On the other hand, the informal register requires the use of the personal pronoun tú/vosotros/vosotras, the possessive tu(s)/tuyo(s), vuestro(s) and vuestra(s), and the corresponding verbal conjugation (the second person). The personal pronoun in the singular tú and the possessive tu(s) do not vary in gender, only in number.
|
Category
|
Examples
|
Type of Register
|
|
Personal pronouns
|
tú
vosotros
vosotras
|
Grammatical
|
|
Verbs (person used to conjugate the verb: second person)
|
tú amas/comes/vives
vosotros/vosotras amáis/coméis/vivís
|
Grammatical
|
|
Possessive pronouns
|
tu(s)
tuyo(s)
vuestro(s)
vuestra(s)
|
Grammatical
|
|
Greetings
|
Hola
Buenos días, Antonio
|
Lexical |
|
Closings
|
Hasta luego,
Hasta pronto,
|
Lexical |
6. Localization challenges
6.1. Proper nouns
Proper nouns refer to unique entities, such as persons, places, organizations, brands, events, etc. As foreign proper nouns are concerned, languages may adopt different rules regarding whether they should be translated or kept in the original language. When editing a text, you should follow your languages rules for all different types of proper nouns listed below. However, please note that if there is a glossary provided by the client that includes these types of units, you should always apply the glossary items.
6.1.1. Persons
Normally, people names shouldn’t be adapted or translated in Spanish.
Examples
✘ Guilermo Shakespeare
✓ William Shakespeare
✓ Harry Potter
A translated name can be used if it became famous in Spain in a certain period, when it was more customary to translate proper nouns.
Example
✓ San Agustín
✓ Cenicienta
6.1.2. Places
Some place names have an equivalent in Spanish:
Example
✘ Cape Town
✓ Ciudad del Cabo
However, some of these equivalents have been replaced afterwards by the original name:
Example
✘ Mastrique
✓ Maastricht
There are also place names that don’t have an equivalent in Spanish but were adapted by taking into account the Spanish spelling or the spelling of another language.
Example
✘ København
✓ Copenhague (from EN: Copenhagen)
FURTHER INFORMATION:
6.1.3. Organizations
Foreign organization names usually are translated only if there is an equivalent in Spanish.
Example
✘ University of Birmingham.
✓ Universidad de Birmingham.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
6.1.4. Brands and products
Brands and products are kept untranslated.
Example
Source text: I bought an Apple computer.
✘ Compré un ordenador Manzana.
✓ Compré un ordenador Apple.
6.1.5. Other entities
There are a lot of variations on other entities. Some of them, such as painting names, are translated (Noche estrellada, by Van Gogh), whereas most events and movie titles are kept untranslated. However, this depends on the context of the named entity, as nowadays foreign names (specially in English) have more popularity amongst young people.
Examples
✘ Mundo jurásico
✓ Jurassic World
✘La guerra de las galaxias
✓Star Wars
6.2. Acronyms and initials
When the target acronym exists in Spanish, it should always be translated, otherwise it can be kept in the original form.
Example
✘ AIDS
✓ SIDA
6.3. Date format
While English language uses, in general, the format mm/dd/yy, the format dd/mm/year is the most widely used and preferred for Spanish.
Note that the date format can be expressed either with numbers or with a combination of numbers and words. As for the former, numbers can be separated by a slash (/), a hyphen (-) or a period (.). Regarding the combined format, remember that months in Spanish are written in lowercase.
Example
✘ 03/18/2018
✓ 18/03/2018
✓ 18-03-2018
✓ 18.03.2018
✘ 18 de Marzo de 2018
✓ 18 de marzo de 2018
6.4. Time format
English language, in general, uses a 12-hour (am/pm) format to refer to time. In Spanish the 24-hour format is preferred and thus references to time should be adapted into such a format.
References to time in hours and minutes may be expressed with a hh:mm format (e.g. 07:00) or a h:mm format (e.g. 7:00). In both cases, the inclusion of the hour symbol (h) is optional. However, when eliding the reference to minutes, the symbol should be included after the hour itself (e.g. 7 h). Finally, bear in mind that the former indications are meant for time references and are not valid when time is a magnitude (eg.: duró 2 h 13 m).
Example
✘ 7:00 am
✘ 7 de la mañana
✘ 7
✓ 07:00
✓ 07:00 h
✓ 7:00
✓ 7:00 h
✓ 7 h
6.5. Measures
Measures should always keep the format of the source text and should never be converted. You should only translate them when they have an equivalent term in your language.
Example
Source text: Cars should not be taller than 10 feet.
✘ La altura de los automóviles no debe rebasar los 304.8 centímetros.
✓ La altura de los automóviles no debe rebasar los 10 pies.
When not written in their full form, measures should never have a final dot.
Example
Source text: The meteorite has a total mass of 25 kg.
✘ El meteorito tiene una masa de 25 kg. en total.
✓ El meteorito tiene una masa de 25 kg en total.
Also, they never occur in the plural form.
Example
Source text: From the beach to the house we need to travel 25 km.
✘ De la playa a la casa debemos recorrer 25 kms.
✓ De la playa a la casa debemos recorrer 25 km.
6.6. Currency
Currency values should not be converted (e.g., do not convert dollars to euros), but the currency name should be translated (dollars to dólares) and the currency format should respect the conventions of European Spanish.
Note: If the client specified their own conventions, these will prevail.
- The code or symbol should follow the numeric value separated with a whitespace, like a regular word (e.g., 32 $, 32 USD).
Example
Source text: You’ll have to pay $20/month.
✘ Tendrá que pagar $20/mes.
✘ Tendrá que pagar 20$/mes.
✓ Tendrá que pagar 20 $/mes.
- Do not mix ISO 4217 codes (USD, EUR...) and symbols ($, €...). For example: do not write $12 USD; use either 12 USD or 12 $, and be consistent throughout the text.
Examples
Source text: I have applied for a refund, totalling $87 USD.
✘ He solicitado un reembolso, por un total de $87 USD.
✓ He solicitado un reembolso, por un total de 87 USD.
✓ He solicitado un reembolso, por un total de 87 $.
Source text: A refund of € 24.00 EUR was already deducted from your payment.
✘ Un reembolso de € 24.00 EUR ya fue deducido de su pago.
✓ Un reembolso de 24.00 EUR ya fue deducido de su pago.
✓ Un reembolso de 24.00 € ya fue deducido de su pago.
- The currency ISO 4217 code should be written in uppercase (JPY, EUR...), but the currency name is a common name and should be written all in lowercase (yenes, euros...).
Examples
Source text: I'll provide you with a 5 Eur discount code.
✘ Le proporcionaré un código de descuento de 5 Eur.
✘ Le proporcionaré un código de descuento de 5 eur.
✓ Le proporcionaré un código de descuento de 5 EUR.
Source text: I already paid 100 Euros.
✘ Ya pagué 100 Euros.
✓ Ya pagué 100 euros.
- Both periods and commas are correct decimal separators (e.g., 12.50 $, 12,50 $). Choose either one but be consistent throughout the text.
Example
Source text: The total amount paid was US$73.5.
✘ La cantidad total pagada fue 73’5 US $.
✓ La cantidad total pagada fue 73,5 USD.
✓ La cantidad total pagada fue 73.5 USD.
✓ La cantidad total pagada fue 73,5 $.
✓ La cantidad total pagada fue 73.5 $.
- Do not omit the 0 before the decimal separator (e.g., do not use .05 € for 0.05 €).
Example
Source text: The total amount is EUR .89.
✘La cantidad total es .89 EUR.
✓La cantidad total es 0,89 EUR.
✓La cantidad total es 0.89 EUR.
- Use the whitespace to separate digits in groups of three for numbers over four digits (e.g., 1 345 225 USD, 10 000 $). When numbers have 4 digits or less (not counting decimals), do not use any separator (e.g., 1500 EUR, 1500.50 EUR, 100 USD). Using commas or periods as separators is incorrect in this case.
Examples
Source text: We can issue a refund for CLP 9,163.
✘ Podemos emitir un reembolso de CLP 9,163.
✘ Podemos emitir un reembolso de 9,163 CLP.
✓ Podemos emitir un reembolso de 9163 CLP.
Source text: We received 5652.9 MXN.
✘ Hemos recibido 5 652,9 MXN.
✓ Hemos recibido 5652,9 MXN.
✓ Hemos recibido 5652.9 MXN.
Source text: We credited your account with GTA$3,115,000.
✘ Hemos añadido un crédito a tu cuenta de GTA$3,115,000.
✓ Hemos añadido un crédito a tu cuenta de 3 115 000 dólares GTA.
- When values are expressed with nouns like millón or millones, use the preposition de with the currency name, but not with the ISO 4217 code (e.g., 15 millones de euros and 15 millones EUR are both correct). Mixing millón or millones with symbols, like in 15 millones € or 15 millones de €, is incorrect.
Example
Source text: We invested almost EUR 10 million last year.
✘ Invertimos casi 10 millones de EUR el año pasado.
✘ Invertimos casi 10 millones € el año pasado.
✘ Invertimos casi 10 millones euros el año pasado.
✓ Invertimos casi 10 millones EUR el año pasado.
✓ Invertimos casi 10 millones de euros el año pasado.
- You can only mix digits and words in numerals when the words are millar/millares, millón/millones, billón/billones (e.g., 1 millón de dólares, 100 000 millones USD, 12 billones EUR). Other combinations of digits and words in numerals are incorrect (e.g., 120 mil € or 120 mil euros is incorrect).
Example
Source text: How To Build a $120K per Month Ecommerce Brand.
✘ Cómo construir una marca de ecommerce de $120K al mes.
✘ Cómo construir una marca de ecommerce de 120K $ al mes.
✘ Cómo construir una marca de ecommerce de 120 mil $ al mes.
✘ Cómo construir una marca de ecommerce de 120 mil dólares al mes.
✓ Cómo construir una marca de ecommerce de 120 000 $ al mes.
✓ Cómo construir una marca de ecommerce de 120 000 dólares al mes.
7. Tricky cases
- Verb Tenses
The difference between tenses is not always easy: the present simple shows an action that has been finished in the past, whereas the present perfect shows an action that has been finished in a recent past. On the other hand, the imperfect shows an action that has not been finished. This doesn’t have to match the source text perfectly. It is important to consider the context in which the sentence is being said.
Example
Source text: I sent you an email this morning.
✘ Te mandé un correo esta mañana.
✓ Te he mandado un correo esta mañana.
Note: this only applies to the central dialect of Spain, which is considered to be the normative one in European Spanish. Some other dialects, such as the northern ones, use past tenses a little bit differently.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
You can find more useful information about this in CVC.es.
- Grammatical Register
Remember that in European Spanish there are different pronouns and verb forms regarding politeness, such as the use of tú for close speakers and usted in a more formal context. It is important to keep the register coherence along the text.
Examples
Source text: If you have any other question, I’ll be happy to help. [formal register]
✘ Si tienes alguna otra pregunta, estaré encantado de ayudarte.
✓ Si tiene alguna otra pregunta, estaré encantado de ayudarle.
Source text: Thank you for contacting us. [informal register]
✘ Gracias por ponerse en contacto con nosotros.
✓ Gracias por ponerte en contacto con nosotros.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
8. Most frequent errors
- False friends
Please pay attention to some words that may not convey the meaning of the source text in a given context.
Example
Source text: Support
✘ Soporte
✓ Asistencia
- Agreement
Make sure to keep the agreement between words with respect to number, person or gender.
Example
Source text: I’ve received the letters you sent me.
✘ He recibido la cartas que me mandaste.
✓ He recibido las cartas que me mandaste.
- Punctuation in greetings
Pay special attention to greetings and make sure you use the correct punctuation (See section about punctuation in greetings and closings in these Guidelines).
Examples:
✘ Hola Juan:
✘Buenos días Juan:
✓ Hola, Juan.
✓ Buenos días, Juan.
✘ Querido Juan,
✘ A la atención de Juan,
✓ Querido Juan:
✓ A la atención de Juan:
FURTHER INFORMATION:
You can find more useful information about this in rae.es
9. Useful online resources
Bilingual dictionaries
Spanish verb conjugator
Spanish grammar
Spanish orthography
Spanish dictionaries
Spanish Thesauruses
Forums
English verb conjugator
English grammar guide
English dictionaries
English Thesauruses