objetivo
/ohb-heh-TEE-voh/
goal
When 'objetivo' means 'goal,' it refers to an aim or ambition, like reaching the top of a peak.
objetivo(noun)
goal
?personal or professional aim
,objective
?a specific target
aim
?the thing you are trying to achieve
,target
?something to hit or reach
📝 In Action
Mi objetivo principal este año es aprender a cocinar.
A2My main goal this year is to learn how to cook.
Necesitamos un plan claro para alcanzar el objetivo.
B1We need a clear plan to reach the objective.
El equipo no pudo cumplir con el objetivo de ventas trimestral.
B2The team could not meet the quarterly sales target.
💡 Grammar Points
Masculine Noun
Even though it ends in '-o', 'objetivo' is always masculine (el objetivo, un objetivo) when it means a goal or aim.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'objetivo' instead of 'propósito'
Mistake: "Mi objetivo en la vida es ser feliz."
Correction: Mi propósito en la vida es ser feliz. (Propósito is usually better for big, overarching life intentions; objetivo is better for specific, measurable tasks.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Use with 'Lograr'
A powerful verb to use with this noun is 'lograr' (to successfully achieve): 'Logré mi objetivo' (I achieved my goal).
Used as an adjective, 'objetivo' means 'objective' or unbiased, like a perfectly balanced scale.
objetivo(adjective)
objective
?unbiased or impartial
,factual
?based on facts, not feelings
impartial
?not taking sides
📝 In Action
El juez debe ser totalmente objetivo al considerar la evidencia.
B2The judge must be totally objective when considering the evidence.
Ella siempre da una opinión objetiva de la situación.
B2She always gives an objective (factual) opinion of the situation.
Es difícil ser objetivo cuando se trata de tu propia familia.
C1It is difficult to be objective when it concerns your own family.
💡 Grammar Points
Agreement is Key
As an adjective, 'objetivo' must change its ending to match the noun it describes. Say 'una perspectiva objetiva' (feminine) and 'un informe objetivo' (masculine).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Ignoring gender agreement
Mistake: "Una decisión objetivo."
Correction: Una decisión objetiva. (Since 'decisión' is feminine, the adjective must end in '-a'.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Understanding the Opposite
The opposite is 'subjetivo' (subjective), which is based on feelings and personal opinions.
As a noun, 'objetivo' can refer to the 'lens' or optical objective component of a camera or microscope.
📝 In Action
Necesito limpiar el objetivo de mi cámara antes de tomar fotos.
C1I need to clean the lens of my camera before taking photos.
El microscopio tiene varios objetivos de aumento.
C2The microscope has several objective lenses for magnification.
💡 Grammar Points
Specific Usage
When used in photography or science, 'objetivo' almost always means the physical glass element that focuses light.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: objetivo
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'objetivo' to describe an attribute (something unbiased)?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'objetivo' always masculine?
When 'objetivo' is used as a noun (meaning 'goal' or 'lens'), it is always masculine ('el objetivo'). However, when it is used as an adjective (meaning 'unbiased'), it changes its ending to agree with the noun it describes: 'el informe objetivo' but 'la revisión objetiva'.
¿Cuál es la diferencia entre 'objetivo' y 'meta'?
Both mean 'goal,' but 'meta' often suggests a final, ambitious goal or a finish line (like in a race), while 'objetivo' is generally used for any clear, measurable target or aim, especially in business or formal planning.