Inklingo

archivo

ar-CHEE-vohaɾˈtʃi.βo

archivo means file in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

file, archive

Also: folder, record office
NounmA1
A simple illustration of a closed manila file folder resting on a wooden surface.

📝 In Action

Guarda el archivo en la nube, por favor.

A1

Save the file in the cloud, please.

El archivo de la universidad tiene documentos de hace cien años.

B1

The university archive has documents from a hundred years ago.

Este archivo PDF está dañado.

A2

This PDF file is damaged.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • abrir un archivoto open a file
  • archivo adjuntoattached file

to file, to archive

Also: to shelve
VerbB1regular ar
A hand is shown placing a document into an organized filing cabinet drawer, illustrating the action of filing.
infinitivearchivar
gerundarchivando
past Participlearchivado

📝 In Action

Yo archivo todos los documentos al final del día.

B1

I file all the documents at the end of the day.

Decidieron archivar el caso por falta de pruebas.

C1

They decided to shelve (or close) the case due to lack of evidence.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • archivar un documentoto file a document
  • archivar el casoto close/shelve the case

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/ustedarchiva
yoarchivo
archivas
ellos/ellas/ustedesarchivan
nosotrosarchivamos
vosotrosarchiváis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedarchivaba
yoarchivaba
archivabas
ellos/ellas/ustedesarchivaban
nosotrosarchivábamos
vosotrosarchivabais

preterite

él/ella/ustedarchivó
yoarchivé
archivaste
ellos/ellas/ustedesarchivaron
nosotrosarchivamos
vosotrosarchivasteis

subjunctive

present

él/ella/ustedarchive
yoarchive
archives
ellos/ellas/ustedesarchiven
nosotrosarchivemos
vosotrosarchivéis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedarchivara/archivase
yoarchivara/archivase
archivaras/archivases
ellos/ellas/ustedesarchivaran/archivasen
nosotrosarchiváramos/archivásemos
vosotrosarchivarais/archivaseis

Translate to Spanish

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: archivo

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'archivo' as a verb?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
archivar(to file/archive)Verb
archivador(filing cabinet/archivist)Noun
archivística(archival science)Noun
🎵 Rhymes
📚 Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'archivum,' which itself came from the ancient Greek word 'arkheion,' referring to a public building where official records were kept. It has always been about storing important documents.

First recorded: 15th century (in Spanish)

Cognates (Related words)

English: archiveItalian: archivioFrench: archive

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if 'archivo' means 'file' (noun) or 'I file' (verb)?

Context is key! If 'archivo' is preceded by 'el,' 'un,' or 'este' (like 'el archivo'), it's the noun. If it's preceded by 'Yo' (I) or is the main action in the sentence, it's the verb form.

Is 'archivo' used for digital files or just physical ones?

It is used for both equally! It is the standard Spanish term for any digital file (PDF, Word document, photo, etc.) as well as physical collections of records.