afecta
/ah-FEK-tah/
affects
Showing how one action immediately affects the environment around it.
afecta(Verb (Conjugated Form))
affects
?influences, impacts
,concerns
?is relevant to
touches
?emotionally
📝 In Action
La crisis económica afecta a toda la región.
A2The economic crisis affects the whole region.
Usted afecta mi concentración con tanto ruido.
B1You (formal) affect my concentration with so much noise.
¡Afeta! Es un mandamiento directo para que cambies esa actitud.
C1Affect it! (Used as a command to feign or adopt an attitude, though less common).
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'a' with People
When 'afectar' impacts a person or animal, Spanish usually requires the word 'a' right before the person: 'La noticia afecta a mi madre' (The news affects my mother).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Affect vs. Effect
Mistake: "Using 'efecta' (which is rare) instead of 'afecta' when meaning 'to influence.'"
Correction: Always use 'afecta' (from 'afectar') when talking about causing an influence or impact.
⭐ Usage Tips
Emotional Impact
If you mean that something moves someone emotionally, 'afecta' is a good, slightly formal choice.
Illustrating a warm and affectionate moment between a child and their toy.
📝 In Action
Ella es muy afecta a la música clásica y asiste a todos los conciertos.
B2She is very fond of classical music and attends all the concerts.
Su actitud era un poco afecta, como si estuviera actuando.
C1Her attitude was a little affected (unnatural), as if she were acting.
💡 Grammar Points
Agreement is Key
As an adjective, 'afecta' must agree with the thing it describes. Use 'afecto' for masculine nouns (e.g., 'un hombre afecto').
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Context
For everyday conversation, use 'cariñosa' (caring/loving) instead of 'afecta' to describe an affectionate person, as 'afecta' sounds more formal or literary.
Representing a plant that is afflicted by drought.
📝 In Action
La zona más afecta por el huracán necesita ayuda inmediata.
B1The area most afflicted by the hurricane needs immediate help.
La paciente está afecta de una enfermedad rara.
B2The patient is afflicted with a rare disease.
💡 Grammar Points
Past Participle Usage
This meaning comes directly from the past participle of 'afectar' and describes the state resulting from the verb's action (being hit or impacted).
⭐ Usage Tips
News Vocabulary
Listen for 'zona afecta' or 'población afecta' in news reports about natural disasters, as it is standard terminology.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: afecta
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'afecta' as a verb?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'afecta' the same as 'afectada'?
They are related! 'Afecta' is the present tense verb form (it affects), or sometimes a short adjective form (the affected area). 'Afectada' is the full past participle used as an adjective (the patient who is affected) or a noun (the female victim). They often mean the same thing when describing being hit by a disaster, but 'afectada' is far more common for describing people.
How do I know if 'afecta' means 'affects' or 'affectionate'?
Look at the words around it! If 'afecta' is following a subject (like 'el ruido afecta...') it is the verb (affects). If it follows a form of 'ser' or 'estar' and is paired with the preposition 'a' (like 'ella es afecta a la música'), it is the adjective meaning 'fond of.'