según
/se-GOON/
according to
We use según to say that information comes from a source, like following directions according to a map.
según(Preposition)
according to
?citing a source or person
as stated by
?formal reporting
,in the opinion of
?referring to someone's view
📝 In Action
Según el mapa, la estación está a dos calles.
A2According to the map, the station is two blocks away.
Según mi abuela, el té de manzanilla cura todo.
A2According to my grandmother, chamomile tea cures everything.
Todo salió según el plan.
B1Everything went according to plan.
💡 Grammar Points
Citing Your Source
Use 'según' to show where your information comes from. It's like a little flag that says, 'Hey, this isn't just my idea!' You can put it before a person, a document, or a general idea.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Adding Extra Words
Mistake: "Según a mi amigo, la película es buena."
Correction: Según mi amigo, la película es buena. 'Según' doesn't need an extra 'a' after it, even when you're talking about a person.
⭐ Usage Tips
Can Go First or Last
You can usually put 'según' at the beginning of the sentence or later on. For example: 'Mañana lloverá, según el pronóstico.' (It will rain tomorrow, according to the forecast.)
Según expresses variability, meaning one outcome is chosen depending on a condition, like choosing an activity depending on the weather.
📝 In Action
El precio del hotel varía según la temporada.
B1The hotel price varies depending on the season.
Podemos ir a la playa o a la montaña, según el tiempo que haga.
B1We can go to the beach or the mountains, depending on the weather.
Cada persona reacciona de forma diferente según su personalidad.
B2Each person reacts differently depending on their personality.
💡 Grammar Points
Connecting a Result to a Condition
Use this meaning of 'según' to explain that something can change because it's linked to a factor that also changes. Think of it as 'if X changes, then Y changes'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Unnecessary 'de'
Mistake: "El menú cambia según de la estación."
Correction: El menú cambia según la estación. Unlike 'dependiendo de', the word 'según' already has the 'on' or 'of' idea built into it, so you don't need to add 'de'.
Según connects two actions, showing that the first action is performed as (in the manner that) the second action describes.
📝 In Action
Hazlo según te expliqué.
B1Do it as I explained to you.
Según avanzaba la noche, la fiesta se animaba más.
B2As the night went on, the party got more lively.
El niño dibujaba el paisaje según lo veía desde la ventana.
B2The child drew the landscape just as he saw it from the window.
💡 Grammar Points
Connecting Two Actions
This 'según' links two actions together. The second action describes the 'how' or 'when' of the first. For example, 'I did it' (first action) 'as you said' (second action, explaining how).
⭐ Usage Tips
A Synonym for 'Como'
In many cases, you can swap this 'según' with 'como' and the meaning stays the same. For example, 'Hazlo como te expliqué' is also correct and very common.
When used alone as an adverb, Según is a short, informal way to say 'It depends,' showing uncertainty about a decision.
📝 In Action
-¿Vas a venir a la cena? -Según.
B1-Are you coming to dinner? -It depends.
-¿Te gustó la película? -Según, tuvo partes buenas y malas.
B2-Did you like the movie? -It depends, it had good and bad parts.
⭐ Usage Tips
The One-Word Answer
When someone asks you a yes/no question but the answer isn't simple, you can just say 'Según.' It's a short and natural way to say 'it's complicated' or 'it depends on other things'.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: según
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence correctly uses 'según' to mean 'depending on'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'según' and 'dependiendo de'?
They are very similar and often interchangeable when they mean 'depending on'. The main difference is that 'dependiendo' always needs 'de' after it, while 'según' never does. For example: 'Dependiendo del clima...' and 'Según el clima...' both mean 'Depending on the weather...'.
Can I use 'según que'?
Generally, no. 'Según' is not followed by 'que' in the same way other Spanish words are. If you want to connect it to a full sentence with a verb, you just put the sentence right after it, like: 'Según dice mi mamá, ...' (According to what my mom says,...).
Is 'según' formal or informal?
It's a neutral word that fits in almost any situation, from a casual conversation to a formal report. The only use that leans informal is when you say 'Según' by itself to mean 'It depends'.