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contactos

/kon-TAHK-tohs/

contacts

A colorful illustration showing three diverse people standing together and smiling, with one person shaking the hand of another, symbolizing networking and social connections.

Use 'contactos' to refer to the people you know, especially in the context of networking.

contactos(noun)

mA2

contacts

?

people you know; networking

,

connections

?

social or professional network

Also:

network

?

one's group of acquaintances

📝 In Action

Mi hermana tiene muchos contactos en el mundo de la moda.

A2

My sister has many contacts in the fashion world.

Hacer contactos es fundamental si quieres iniciar tu propio negocio.

B1

Making connections is essential if you want to start your own business.

Revisé mi lista de contactos para ver quién podía ayudarme.

A2

I checked my list of contacts to see who could help me.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • hacer contactos – to make contacts/network
  • libreta de contactos – contact book

💡 Grammar Points

Always Plural Masculine

Even though 'contactos' might refer to women, the word itself is masculine and plural. Always use masculine plural articles: los contactos.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using 'tener' vs. 'hacer'

Mistake: "Hago muchos contactos en mi trabajo. (I make many contacts in my job.)"

Correction: Tengo muchos contactos en mi trabajo. (I *have* many contacts in my job.) You 'make' them (*hacer*), but you usually talk about *having* them (*tener*).

⭐ Usage Tips

Networking Verb

The most useful phrase for networking is hacer contactos (to make contacts or to network).

A close-up view of two distinct metal electrical connectors, a prong and a receptacle, poised to connect, illustrating a physical point of connection.

'Contactos' can also describe physical points of connection, such as electrical terminals or optical connections.

contactos(noun)

mB1

contacts

?

physical points of connection (electrical, optical)

Also:

terminals

?

electrical connections

,

contact lenses

?

short for 'lentes de contacto'

📝 In Action

Asegúrate de que los contactos de la cámara estén limpios.

B1

Make sure the camera contacts are clean.

Necesito unos contactos nuevos porque los míos están rayados.

B1

I need new contacts (lenses) because mine are scratched.

El aparato dejó de funcionar por un mal contacto eléctrico.

B2

The device stopped working due to a bad electrical connection.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • conexiones (connections)
  • terminales (terminals)

Common Collocations

  • lentes de contactos – contact lenses
  • contactos eléctricos – electrical contacts

💡 Grammar Points

Shortening 'Lenses'

In Spanish, people often shorten lentes de contacto (contact lenses) just to contactos when the context is clear.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: contactos

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'contactos' to refer to people?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

contacto(contact (singular noun)) - noun
contactar(to contact) - verb
contactable(contactable) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

¿Cuál es la diferencia entre 'contacto' y 'contactos'?

'Contacto' (singular) usually means the act of touching or a single person you know. 'Contactos' (plural) is used almost exclusively to mean your whole professional or social network, or multiple physical connection points.

If I want to say 'I need to contact him,' should I use 'contactos'?

No. 'Contactos' is a noun. To express the action of reaching out, you use the verb *contactar*. You would say: *Necesito contactarlo*.