activo
/ahk-TEE-voh/
active
When describing someone who is lively, busy, or engaged, use the adjective activo.
activo(adjective)
active
?lively, busy, engaged
,energetic
?full of energy
busy
?when referring to a period or time
📝 In Action
Mi abuelo todavía es muy activo y hace ejercicio todos los días.
A2My grandfather is still very active and exercises every day.
Necesitamos un plan activo para resolver el problema rápidamente.
B1We need an active plan to solve the problem quickly.
Ella es una ciudadana muy activa en su comunidad.
B1She is a very active citizen in her community.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective Agreement
Remember that 'activo' must match the thing it describes. If you are describing a female noun (like 'persona'), use 'activa'. If it's plural (like 'niños'), use 'activos'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Form
Mistake: "La persona está activo."
Correction: La persona está activa. (Always match the gender of the noun.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Using 'Estar' vs. 'Ser'
Use 'ser activo' (to be active) to describe someone's permanent personality or lifestyle, and 'estar activo' to describe their current state (e.g., 'El volcán está activo' - The volcano is currently active).
As a noun, un activo means a valuable resource or asset.
📝 In Action
Los activos de la compañía superan sus deudas.
B2The company's assets exceed its debts.
Compramos un activo fijo, que es una máquina nueva.
C1We bought a fixed asset, which is a new machine.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Masculine
When used in the financial sense (asset), 'activo' is always a masculine noun, even if it refers to something feminine (like 'una propiedad'). Use 'el activo' or 'los activos'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Paired with 'Pasivo'
In accounting, 'activo' (asset) is usually discussed alongside 'pasivo' (liability or debt). They are opposite concepts in a balance sheet.
In grammar, activo describes the active voice, where the subject performs the action.
activo(adjective)
active
?grammar: active voice
,proactive
?taking initiative
current
?in use or operation
📝 In Action
En esta oración, el verbo está en voz activa.
C1In this sentence, the verb is in the active voice.
El volcán ha permanecido activo durante siglos.
B2The volcano has remained active for centuries.
💡 Grammar Points
Grammar Use
When discussing grammar, 'voz activa' (active voice) means the person or thing doing the action is the main focus of the sentence.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: activo
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'activo' in its financial sense (asset)?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'activo' only used for people?
No! While it often describes people (energetic, busy), it is also used for things like volcanoes (active), ingredients (active ingredients), and plans or voices (active voice/plan).
What is the difference between 'activo' (adjective) and 'activista' (noun)?
'Activo' is a description, meaning someone is energetic or engaged. 'Activista' is a specific type of person—an activist—who works politically or socially toward a goal.