verdadero
/ber-da-DE-ro/
true
Verdadero means true or factual, like two puzzle pieces that fit together perfectly.
verdadero(Adjective)
true
?factual, not false
real
?something that actually happened
,factual
?based on facts
📝 In Action
La historia que me contaste no es verdadera.
A2The story you told me is not true.
Es un hecho verdadero que el agua hierve a 100 grados Celsius.
B1It is a true fact that water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
💡 Grammar Points
Matches the Noun
Like most describing words in Spanish, 'verdadero' changes to match the thing it's describing. Use 'verdadero' for masculine things, 'verdadera' for feminine things, and add an 's' for plural ('verdaderos', 'verdaderas').
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'verdadero' vs. 'verdad'
Mistake: "La historia es verdadero."
Correction: La historia es verdadera. OR Es verdad. 'Verdadero' is a describing word (adjective), so it must match 'historia' (feminine). 'Verdad' is the thing itself (the noun 'truth'). You can say 'It is truth' (Es verdad) or 'The story is true' (La historia es verdadera).
⭐ Usage Tips
Confirming Facts
You'll often use 'verdadero' to talk about whether information, stories, or statements are correct and based in reality. It's the direct opposite of 'falso' (false).
When something is verdadero, it is real and genuine, not imitation, like this authentic gold nugget.
📝 In Action
Este bolso es de cuero verdadero, no es sintético.
B1This purse is made of real leather, it's not synthetic.
¿Crees que este collar es de oro verdadero?
B1Do you think this necklace is real gold?
⭐ Usage Tips
Authenticity Check
Use 'verdadero' when you want to make it clear that something is the real deal, not a fake or a copy. It emphasizes the material or origin of an object.
Verdadero can emphasize a sincere or deep quality, such as describing a loyal person as "un verdadero amigo" (a true friend).
verdadero(Adjective)
true
?sincere, loyal, e.g., a friend
,real
?used for emphasis, e.g., a disaster
proper
?the real thing
📝 In Action
Gracias por tu ayuda, eres un verdadero amigo.
B1Thanks for your help, you are a true friend.
¡Qué desastre! La fiesta fue un verdadero caos.
B1What a disaster! The party was a real chaos.
Encontrar un buen trabajo es el verdadero problema.
B2Finding a good job is the real problem.
💡 Grammar Points
Placement Matters: Before the Noun
When you use 'verdadero' to add emphasis (like 'a real problem'), you almost always put it BEFORE the noun. 'Un verdadero amigo' (a true/great friend) feels different from 'un amigo verdadero' (a friend who tells the truth).
⭐ Usage Tips
Adding Emphasis
Think of this use like underlining a word. When you say something is a 'verdadero problema', you're saying it's not just any problem, it's a significant, 'real' one.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: verdadero
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence best translates to 'He is a true friend,' emphasizing his loyalty and quality as a person?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'verdadero' and 'real'?
They are very similar and often interchangeable! 'Verdadero' often focuses on being 'true' vs. 'false' (like a story). 'Real' often focuses on being 'real' vs. 'imaginary' (like a monster). However, when talking about authentic materials (like 'real leather'), you can use either 'cuero verdadero' or 'cuero real'.
How do I know when to put 'verdadero' before or after a word?
Great question! Put it AFTER for a simple description: 'una historia verdadera' (a true story). Put it BEFORE to add emphasis or show a special quality: 'un verdadero genio' (a real genius). Placing it before the word makes it more about your opinion or feeling.