ético
“ético” means “ethical” in Spanish (relating to moral principles).
ethical, moral
Also: principled
📝 In Action
Él es un hombre muy ético.
A2He is a very ethical man.
Tenemos un dilema ético en la oficina.
B1We have an ethical dilemma at the office.
La empresa publicó su nuevo código ético.
B2The company published its new code of ethics.
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "ético" in Spanish:
principled→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: ético
Question 1 of 3
How would you say 'an ethical decision' in Spanish?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Ancient Greek word 'ethikos', which refers to a person's character or customs. It passed into Latin as 'ethicus' before becoming the Spanish word we use today.
First recorded: 15th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'ético' and 'moral'?
They are very similar, but 'ético' usually refers to social or professional rules (like a doctor's ethics), while 'moral' often refers to a person's individual sense of right and wrong.
Does 'ético' always have an accent mark?
Yes, it always carries an accent on the first 'e' because it is a 'word with the stress on the third-to-last syllable' (esdrújula), and those always require an accent in Spanish.
Can I use 'ético' to mean 'the study of ethics'?
No. Use the feminine noun 'la ética' for the field of study. Use 'ético' only as a descriptor (e.g., 'an ethical problem').