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franco

frán-ko/ˈfɾaŋ.ko/

frank, candid

Also: straightforward
A storybook illustration showing a child speaking honestly and directly to an adult. A single, straight, bright red line is drawn on the ground connecting the child's feet to the adult's feet, symbolizing directness.

📝 In Action

Para serte franco, no me gustó nada la película.

B1

To be frank with you, I didn't like the movie at all.

Ella es una persona muy franca, siempre dice exactamente lo que piensa.

B2

She is a very candid person; she always says exactly what she thinks.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • hipócrita (hypocritical)
  • falso (false)

Common Collocations

  • ser franco – to be frank

free, exempt

Also: tax-free
AdjectivemC1formal
A storybook illustration of a wrapped box package floating easily in the air, passing over a closed customs barrier gate without needing to stop, symbolizing freedom from duty.

📝 In Action

La zona franca permite el comercio sin pagar aranceles.

C1

The free zone allows trade without paying tariffs.

Este tipo de envío es franco de porte, lo que significa que el remitente paga el costo.

C2

This type of shipment is carriage paid, meaning the sender pays the cost.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • zona franca – free trade zone/free port
  • franco de impuestos – tax-free

franc

Also: Frank
NounmB2
A high quality illustration of a single large, shiny gold coin lying flat, featuring a simple, decorative crest embossed on its surface, representing the currency unit.

📝 In Action

El franco suizo sigue siendo una moneda muy fuerte.

B2

The Swiss franc remains a very strong currency.

En el pasado, un café costaba solo unos pocos francos.

B1

In the past, a coffee only cost a few francs.

Word Connections

Common Collocations

  • franco suizo – Swiss franc

Translate to Spanish

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: franco

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'franco' in the sense of being free from charges or duties?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
franqueza(frankness, openness) — Noun
franquear(to stamp (a letter), to clear (a barrier)) — Verb
franquicia(franchise, exemption) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
blancoarranco
📚 Etymology▼

The word comes from the name of the Germanic tribe, the Franks, who conquered Gaul (modern France). Their name originally meant 'free,' which is why the word 'franco' carries the meaning of being honest, open, and free from obligations (like taxes).

First recorded: 13th century (in Spanish)

Cognates (Related words)

French: francItalian: franco

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'franco' have a feminine form?

Yes, when used as an adjective (meaning 'frank' or 'free'), it changes its ending: 'franco' (masculine singular) and 'franca' (feminine singular). For example, 'una respuesta franca' (a frank answer).

Is 'franco' related to the name of the country France?

Yes, they share the same root! Both come from the name of the Germanic tribe, the Franks, who gave their name to the region and whose identity was tied to the concept of 'freedom'.