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How to Say "attitude" in Spanish

English → Spanish

actitud

ak-tee-TOODak.tiˈtuð

nounA1general
Use 'actitud' when referring to someone's general mental disposition, outlook, or emotional state, especially how it influences their behavior or perspective.
A young child standing tall with shoulders back and a determined, positive smile, illustrating a mental disposition.

Examples

Necesitas cambiar tu actitud si quieres tener éxito en este proyecto.

You need to change your attitude if you want to be successful in this project.

Ella siempre tiene una actitud positiva, incluso en los días difíciles.

She always has a positive attitude, even on difficult days.

La actitud del jefe nos molestó a todos.

The boss's attitude bothered all of us.

Feminine Ending

Even though 'actitud' ends in the letter 'd', it is a feminine noun. Remember to use 'la' or 'una' before it.

Gender Confusion

Mistake: “El actitud”

Correction: La actitud. Most nouns ending in -tud, like 'juventud' (youth) and 'gratitud' (gratitude), are feminine.

aires

AY-rehsˈai̯ɾes

nounB2colloquial
Use 'aires' when describing someone who is putting on a show of superiority, arrogance, or a specific, often affected, bearing.
A cartoonish illustration of a person standing with an exaggeratedly upright and proud posture, chin lifted, representing a haughty manner.

Examples

Esa chica se da aires de superioridad, aunque no lo sea.

That girl puts on airs of superiority, even if she isn't superior.

Tiene unos aires muy elegantes, parece de la realeza.

She has a very elegant look; she seems like royalty.

Figurative Plural

In this meaning, 'aires' is almost always used in the plural, even when referring to one person's manner.

Using Singular for Attitude

Mistake: “Tiene un aire de superioridad.”

Correction: Use the plural: 'Tiene unos aires de superioridad.' This is the standard idiomatic usage.

postura

pos-TOO-rahposˈtuɾa

nounB2formal/general
Use 'postura' when referring to a formal or settled way of thinking, a stance, or a position on an issue, often from an individual or group.
A person standing with their arms crossed looking firm and determined.

Examples

El gobierno mantiene una postura firme contra la inflación.

The government maintains a firm stance against inflation.

No entiendo tu postura en este asunto.

I don't understand your position on this matter.

Cambiaron su postura después de escuchar los argumentos.

They changed their attitude after hearing the arguments.

Abstract vs. Physical

Just like in English, the word for physical position is used figuratively to mean your mental position on a topic.

Opinion vs Postura

Mistake: “Using 'postura' for a simple preference like 'my position is that I like chocolate'.”

Correction: Use 'postura' for more serious, formal, or structured opinions, like in politics or ethics.

Actitud vs. Postura

Learners often confuse 'actitud' and 'postura'. Remember that 'actitud' refers to a person's inner feeling or disposition, while 'postura' describes a more fixed or official stance on a topic, like a political or ethical position.

Related Translations

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