Inklingo
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elección

/eh-lek-SYOHN/

choice

A cartoon hand selecting a single bright red apple from a group of three fruits (apple, orange, banana) on a wooden table, symbolizing a choice.

Making a selection between options is an elección (choice).

elección(noun)

fA2

choice

?

a decision or selection

Also:

selection

?

the act of picking

,

option

?

the result of choosing

📝 In Action

Tienes que hacer una elección antes de las tres.

A2

You have to make a choice before three o'clock.

La elección de los materiales afectará el precio final.

B1

The selection of the materials will affect the final price.

¿Fue tu elección o te lo impusieron?

B2

Was it your choice or was it imposed on you?

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • opción (option)
  • decisión (decision)

Common Collocations

  • libre elección – free choice
  • hacer una elección – to make a choice

💡 Grammar Points

Feminine Noun Rule

Even though 'elección' ends in '-ón', it is a feminine word. Always use 'la elección' or 'una elección', not 'el'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using 'Opción' Instead

Mistake: "Hice la mejor opción."

Correction: Hice la mejor elección. (Explanation: 'Opción' is the available alternative; 'elección' is the act of choosing or the resulting choice.)

⭐ Usage Tips

Verb Choice

The most natural verb to use with 'elección' is 'hacer' (to make) or 'tomar' (to take/make), as in 'hacer una elección'.

A large, rectangular blue ballot box with a narrow slot on top. A cartoon hand is dropping a white paper ballot into the slot, representing a political election.

The formal political process of voting is called an elección (election).

elección(noun)

fB1

election

?

political voting process

Also:

polls

?

the voting period

📝 In Action

Las próximas elecciones municipales serán muy importantes.

B1

The next municipal elections will be very important.

El presidente ganó la elección por un amplio margen.

B2

The president won the election by a wide margin.

La campaña electoral terminó el día antes de la elección.

B2

The electoral campaign ended the day before the election.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • votación (voting)
  • comicios (elections (formal))

Common Collocations

  • elecciones generales – general election
  • fraude electoral – electoral fraud
  • convocar elecciones – to call an election

💡 Grammar Points

Singular vs. Plural

When talking about a political election event, Spanish speakers often use the plural form, 'las elecciones', even if English uses the singular 'the election'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using the Singular Too Often

Mistake: "La elección es el domingo."

Correction: Las elecciones son el domingo. (Explanation: The plural form, 'las elecciones', is much more standard when referring to the political event.)

⭐ Usage Tips

Adjective Pairing

The adjective related to 'elección' (in this political sense) is 'electoral,' as in 'el proceso electoral' (the electoral process).

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: elección

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'elecciones' in the common political plural form?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

elegir(to choose/to elect) - verb
elector(voter/elector) - noun
electoral(electoral) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is 'elección' feminine, even though it ends in -ón?

Most nouns ending in -ón are masculine (like 'el corazón'), but words ending in -ción (or -sión, -xión) are almost always feminine in Spanish. This helps you remember: 'la elección', 'la canción', 'la acción'.

What is the difference between 'elección' and 'opción'?

'Opción' means 'option'—it's one of the possibilities available to you. 'Elección' means 'choice' or 'selection'—it is the act of picking one of those options.