Inklingo

How to Say "affair" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “affair” is “asunto” — use 'asunto' for a non-romantic matter, task, or problem that needs attention, or for a secret romantic relationship..

asunto🔊B1/B2

Use 'asunto' for a non-romantic matter, task, or problem that needs attention, or for a secret romantic relationship.

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relaciónA2

Use 'relación' for a romantic or sexual relationship, which can be secret or open.

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cosa🔊A2

Use 'cosa' in informal contexts to refer to a matter, situation, or event.

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aventura🔊B1

Use 'aventura' specifically for a romantic or sexual liaison, often implying it's casual or temporary.

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rollo🔊B1

Use 'rollo' for a casual, often secret, romantic or sexual involvement or fling.

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líoB2

Use 'lío' to describe a complicated romantic or sexual entanglement, often implying it's messy or problematic.

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caso🔊B1

Use 'caso' to refer to a specific event, incident, or case, particularly in legal or news contexts.

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negocio🔊B2

Use 'negocio' for a complex situation, problem, or deal, often in a business or personal affairs context.

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lance🔊B1

Use 'lance' for a specific incident or encounter, which can be tense or private.

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English → Spanish

asunto

/ah-SOON-toh//aˈsunto/

nounB1/B2
Use 'asunto' for a non-romantic matter, task, or problem that needs attention, or for a secret romantic relationship.
A focused character carrying a massive, towering stack of colorful folders marked with simple abstract symbols, representing pending business or matters to resolve.

Examples

Tengo que resolver un asunto personal esta tarde.

I have to take care of a personal matter this afternoon.

La falta de agua es un asunto muy grave en esta región.

The lack of water is a very serious issue in this region.

No te metas en mis asuntos.

Don't meddle in my business/affairs.

Se rumorea que el director tiene un asunto con su secretaria.

It's rumored that the director is having an affair with his secretary.

Confusing with 'Negocio'

Mistake: “Using 'negocio' for any kind of 'business' you have to do. 'Negocio' is almost always about commerce or a company.”

Correction: If you mean a personal task or issue, use 'asunto'. Say 'Tengo un asunto importante' (I have an important matter), not 'Tengo un negocio importante' unless you're talking about a business deal.

relación

nounA2
Use 'relación' for a romantic or sexual relationship, which can be secret or open.

Examples

Ellos tienen una relación muy bonita.

They have a very beautiful relationship.

cosa

/KOH-sah//ˈkosa/

nounA2informal
Use 'cosa' in informal contexts to refer to a matter, situation, or event.
Two people sitting at a cafe table, looking concerned and talking seriously, with one person gesturing to explain a point.

Examples

La cosa es que no tengo dinero.

The thing is, I don't have any money.

Es una cosa de familia.

It's a family matter.

Hay otra cosa que quiero decirte.

There's another thing I want to tell you.

aventura

ah-ben-TOO-rah/a.βenˈtu.ɾa/

nounB1
Use 'aventura' specifically for a romantic or sexual liaison, often implying it's casual or temporary.
Two figures in silhouette hold hands in a dimly lit, secluded garden under the light of a full moon.

Examples

Tuvo una breve aventura con un compañero de trabajo.

She had a brief affair with a co-worker.

Esa aventura terminó tan rápido como empezó.

That fling ended as quickly as it began.

rollo

ROH-yoh/ˈro.ʎo/

nounB1informal
Use 'rollo' for a casual, often secret, romantic or sexual involvement or fling.
A man and a woman smile brightly at each other as they quickly pass by on a winding path, symbolizing a brief encounter.

Examples

Ellos tuvieron un rollo durante el verano, pero ya terminó.

They had a fling/thing during the summer, but it's over now.

¿Sabes si María tiene un rollo con el nuevo camarero?

Do you know if Maria is seeing (has a thing with) the new waiter?

Using 'Tener'

To talk about having this kind of relationship, you always use the verb 'tener' (to have): 'Tener un rollo con alguien' (to have a fling with someone).

lío

nounB2informal
Use 'lío' to describe a complicated romantic or sexual entanglement, often implying it's messy or problematic.

Examples

Se descubrió el lío que tenía con su secretaria.

The affair he was having with his secretary was discovered.

caso

/KA-so//ˈkaso/

nounB1
Use 'caso' to refer to a specific event, incident, or case, particularly in legal or news contexts.
An open file folder on a desk with a solved clue, representing a police or medical case.

Examples

La policía resolvió el caso en dos días.

The police solved the case in two days.

Es un caso clínico muy interesante para los doctores.

It's a very interesting clinical case for the doctors.

El abogado presentó el caso ante el juez.

The lawyer presented the case before the judge.

negocio

/neh-GO-syo//neˈɣo.sjo/

nounB2
Use 'negocio' for a complex situation, problem, or deal, often in a business or personal affairs context.
A small, distressed figure sitting in the middle of a huge, tangled pile of colorful strings and papers, symbolizing a complicated matter or mess.

Examples

El divorcio de mis padres fue un negocio muy complicado.

My parents' divorce was a very complicated affair.

¡Vaya negocio en el que te has metido!

What a mess you've gotten yourself into!

Arreglar los papeles de la visa es todo un negocio.

Sorting out the visa paperwork is quite a whole thing/ordeal.

lance

/lan-se//ˈlanθe/ (Spain) /'lanse/ (Latam)

nounB1
Use 'lance' for a specific incident or encounter, which can be tense or private.
A colorful stack of wooden blocks has just toppled over on a simple wooden floor, scattering them across the ground.

Examples

Tuvimos un lance muy tenso con la policía en la frontera.

We had a very tense incident with the police at the border.

El joven tuvo un lance amoroso con la hija del jefe.

The young man had a romantic affair with the boss's daughter.

Masculine Noun

Even though 'lanza' (spear) is feminine, 'lance' is always masculine ('el lance'). Remember the 'E' ending doesn't always indicate gender.

Romantic vs. Non-Romantic Affairs

The most common mistake is using romantic terms like 'aventura' or 'rollo' when you mean a non-romantic matter. Always consider if the 'affair' involves a relationship or is simply an event or issue; 'asunto' is the safest bet for non-romantic contexts.

Related Translations

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