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How to Say "act" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “act” is “acción” — use 'acción' when referring to a general concept of action, or a specific deed or movement, often in a more abstract or dynamic sense.

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acción

nounA1general
Use 'acción' when referring to a general concept of action, or a specific deed or movement, often in a more abstract or dynamic sense.

Examples

Es hora de pasar a la acción y resolver el problema.

It is time to move to action and solve the problem.

acto

AHK-tohˈak.to

nounA2general
Use 'acto' for a specific, completed deed or action, or a formal event, as well as for a division within a theatrical performance.
A child happily planting a small sapling into the ground using a shovel, symbolizing a specific action or deed.

Examples

Fue un acto de gran valentía salvar al perro.

It was an act of great bravery to save the dog.

Pedimos disculpas por nuestros actos pasados.

We apologize for our past actions.

La obra de teatro se divide en tres actos.

The play is divided into three acts.

Después del primer acto, habrá un intermedio.

After the first act, there will be an intermission.

Gender Rule

'Acto' is always a masculine noun, so it takes masculine articles and adjectives: 'el acto', 'un acto', 'ciertos actos'.

ley

leyˈlei̯

nounA2formal
Use 'ley' specifically when referring to a law or piece of legislation passed by a government.
A perfectly balanced scale of justice made of gold, symbolizing official government law.

Examples

Todos los ciudadanos deben obedecer la ley.

All citizens must obey the law.

El congreso aprobó una nueva ley para proteger el medio ambiente.

The congress passed a new law to protect the environment.

Romper la ley puede tener consecuencias serias.

Breaking the law can have serious consequences.

Always Feminine: 'la ley'

Even though 'ley' doesn't end in '-a', it's a feminine word. Always use 'la' or 'una' with it, like 'la ley' (the law) or 'una ley importante' (an important law).

Making it Plural: 'leyes'

To talk about more than one law, 'ley' becomes 'leyes'. The 'y' changes to an 'i' before adding '-es'. This happens with other words ending in '-y' too, like 'rey' (king) which becomes 'reyes' (kings).

Confusing 'ley' and 'derecho'

Mistake: “Estudio la ley en la universidad.”

Correction: Estudio derecho en la universidad. 'Ley' refers to a specific, single rule or statute. 'Derecho' refers to the entire field of law as a subject of study, or a right that someone has.

nounB2general
Use 'número' to describe a specific performance or routine within a larger show, such as in a circus or talent show.

Examples

El número de los trapecistas fue el más emocionante de la noche.

The trapeze artists' act was the most exciting of the night.

pose

POH-sehˈpose

nounB2informal
Use 'pose' when 'act' refers to a pretense, a fake attitude, or putting on a false front.
A person wearing an oversized, extravagant feathered hat and a velvet cape, acting in a very dramatic and exaggerated manner.

Examples

No le creas, su amabilidad es solo una pose.

Don't believe him; his kindness is just an act.

Deja esa pose de intelectual y habla normal.

Drop that intellectual act and speak normally.

Todo en ese grupo de amigos parece ser una pose.

Everything in that friend group seems to be a pretense.

Describing Attitudes

When using 'pose' to mean 'an act', it is often followed by 'de' and a noun, like 'pose de rebelde' (rebel act).

Using 'Pose' as a Verb

Mistake: “Él pose como un experto.”

Correction: Él posa como un experto. 'Pose' is the thing (noun); 'posar' is the action (verb).

Distinguishing 'Acción' vs. 'Acto'

Learners often confuse 'acción' and 'acto' when referring to a specific deed. Remember that 'acción' can be more general or refer to the process of acting, while 'acto' usually signifies a singular, completed event or deed.

Related Translations

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