How to Say "background" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “background” is “experiencia” — use this when referring to practical work experience, often listed on a resume or job application.
experiencia
ex-peh-RYEN-syaekspeˈɾjensja
Examples
Para este trabajo, se necesita mucha experiencia.
For this job, a lot of experience is needed.
Mi abuela tiene más experiencia de vida que nadie que conozco.
My grandmother has more life experience than anyone I know.
Con la práctica, ganarás la experiencia necesaria.
With practice, you will gain the necessary experience.
A 'Feminine' Word
Even though 'experience' doesn't have a gender in English, 'experiencia' is a feminine word in Spanish. This means any words describing it must also be feminine, like 'una buena experiencia' (a good experience).
Using 'en' vs. 'de'
Mistake: “Tengo experiencia de marketing.”
Correction: Tengo experiencia en marketing. When you're talking about having experience *in* a field, always use the word 'en'.
formación
Examples
Necesitas más formación para ese puesto de trabajo.
You need more training for that job position.
origen
oh-REE-henoˈɾi.xen
Examples
Necesito saber el origen de este problema.
I need to know the source of this problem.
Mi país de origen es México, pero vivo en Canadá.
My country of origin is Mexico, but I live in Canada.
El origen de la palabra 'chocolate' es náhuatl.
The origin of the word 'chocolate' is Nahuatl.
Masculine Noun
Even though 'origen' ends in '-en', it is always a masculine noun. You must use 'el origen' (the origin), never 'la origen'.
Using the wrong preposition
Mistake: “El problema es *de* origen.”
Correction: El problema *tiene* origen *en*... (The problem originates in...). When linking the source, use 'en' or 'de' for description: 'algo de origen desconocido'.
pasado
pa-SA-dopaˈsa.ðo
Examples
Es importante no olvidar el pasado.
It's important not to forget the past.
Ella tiene un pasado difícil, pero es muy fuerte.
She has a difficult past, but she is very strong.
Déjalo en el pasado y sigue adelante.
Leave it in the past and move on.
Always 'el pasado'
When used as a noun to mean 'the past', it's a masculine word. You will almost always see it with 'el' in front of it: 'el pasado'.
antecedente
an-te-seh-DEN-tehanteseˈdente
Examples
La policía revisó sus antecedentes antes de darle el trabajo.
The police checked his background before giving him the job.
No hay antecedentes de una tormenta tan fuerte en esta ciudad.
There is no precedent for such a strong storm in this city.
El paciente no tiene antecedentes médicos de importancia.
The patient has no significant medical history.
Using the Plural
When talking about a person's life history or criminal record, you almost always use the plural form: 'los antecedentes'.
The 'Before' Word
In school, this word is used to describe the person or thing you mentioned first before using a word like 'who' or 'which' (e.g., in 'The boy who ran', 'the boy' is the antecedente).
Record vs. Recuerdo
Mistake: “Usar 'record' para hablar de historia criminal.”
Correction: Use 'antecedentes' for a history/record. 'Record' (the English word) sounds like 'recuerdo' (memory) or 'récord' (a sports trophy), which are different.
conocimientos
ko-no-see-MYEN-tohskonosiˈmjentos
Examples
El candidato tiene profundos conocimientos de programación.
The candidate has deep knowledge of programming.
Mis conocimientos de francés son un poco básicos.
My French skills are a bit basic.
Es importante actualizar nuestros conocimientos constantemente.
It is important to constantly update our expertise.
The Plural Power
While 'conocimiento' (singular) often refers to the abstract concept of knowing, 'conocimientos' (plural) is almost always used when talking about a collection of skills or the information someone has learned in school or at work.
Knowledge is plural in Spanish?
Mistake: “Using 'tengo mucho conocimiento de eso'.”
Correction: Say 'tengo muchos conocimientos de eso' when talking about your expertise or skills.
contexto
kohn-TEKS-tohkonˈteksto
Examples
Para entender la noticia, necesitas conocer el contexto.
To understand the news, you need to know the context.
Esa frase fue sacada de contexto.
That phrase was taken out of context.
El contexto histórico de la novela es el siglo XIX.
The historical context of the novel is the 19th century.
Using 'el' with Contexto
Since it ends in 'o,' it is almost always a masculine word. Use 'el' or 'un' before it.
Contexto vs. Contesto
Mistake: “Using 'contesto' to mean background.”
Correction: Use 'contexto' (with an X) for the situation. 'Contesto' (with an S) means 'I answer' from the verb contestar.
fondo
fon-dohˈfondo
Examples
En el fondo de la foto se ven las montañas.
In the background of the photo, you can see the mountains.
Me gusta la música de fondo que ponen en este café.
I like the background music they play in this cafe.
Cambié el fondo de pantalla de mi teléfono.
I changed the wallpaper on my phone.
ambiental
ahm-bee-ehn-TAHLam.bjenˈtal
Examples
Me gusta trabajar con música ambiental suave.
I like to work with soft background music.
La luz ambiental en este restaurante es muy relajante.
The ambient light in this restaurant is very relaxing.
Había tanto ruido ambiental que no podía oírte.
There was so much background noise that I couldn't hear you.
Describing the 'Atmosphere'
When you use this word, you are describing the things that surround you in a specific room or area, rather than the whole planet.
Don't confuse with 'ambiente'
Mistake: “La música ambiente.”
Correction: La música ambiental. While people sometimes say 'música ambiente' informally, 'ambiental' is the correct adjective form to use.
precedente
pre-se-DEN-tepɾeseˈðente
Examples
No hay ningún precedente de una situación así en nuestra empresa.
There is no precedent for a situation like this in our company.
Este fallo judicial sienta un precedente muy importante para el futuro.
This court ruling sets a very important precedent for the future.
Su comportamiento no tiene precedentes; nunca habíamos visto algo igual.
His behavior is unprecedented; we had never seen anything like it before.
Using 'precedente' as a thing
When used as a noun (a thing), it is almost always masculine. You will use 'el' or 'un' with it.
Precedente vs. Antecedente
Mistake: “Using 'precedente' to mean someone's criminal record history.”
Correction: Use 'antecedentes' (plural) for criminal records. Use 'precedente' for a specific event that sets a rule for the future.
telón
Examples
La crisis económica sirvió como telón de fondo para la revolución.
The economic crisis served as the backdrop for the revolution.
trayectoria
tra-yek-TO-ryatɾaʝekˈtoɾja
Examples
Tiene una trayectoria profesional envidiable.
She has an enviable professional career.
El director fue premiado por su larga trayectoria en el cine.
The director was awarded for his long career in cinema.
La empresa tiene una trayectoria de éxito en el mercado.
The company has a track record of success in the market.
Describing Progress
We use this word to summarize someone's entire work life. It treats a career like a physical path moving forward through time.
Using 'Trabajo' for Career
Mistake: “Su trabajo en esta empresa es de 20 años.”
Correction: Su trayectoria en esta empresa es de 20 años. While 'trabajo' is the act of working, 'trayectoria' emphasizes the evolution and history of that work.
extracción
Examples
Es un político de extracción humilde.
He is a politician from a humble background.
foro
FOH-rohˈfo.ɾo
Examples
El actor desapareció por el foro.
The actor disappeared through the back of the stage.
Pintaron un paisaje en el foro.
They painted a landscape on the stage background.
Hay ruidos extraños en el foro.
There are strange noises in the backstage area.
Directional Use
When used with 'por', it usually indicates the direction of an exit or entrance at the back of a stage.
Experience vs. Education vs. History
Related Translations
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