Inklingo

How to Say "biased" in Spanish

English → Spanish

parcial

par-syalpaɾˈsjal

adjectiveB2general
Use 'parcial' when referring to someone or something unfairly favoring one side, like a biased referee or a one-sided argument.
A balance scale where one side is heavily weighted down by a large red heart while the other side is empty.

Examples

El juez fue acusado de ser parcial en su decisión.

The judge was accused of being biased in his decision.

Los aficionados pensaron que el árbitro fue muy parcial.

The fans thought the referee was very biased.

No puedes dar una opinión parcial en un juicio.

You cannot give a biased opinion in a trial.

subjetivo

soob-heh-TEE-bohsuβxeˈtiβo

adjectiveB2general
Use 'subjetivo' when the bias comes from personal feelings, tastes, or opinions rather than external facts, similar to 'subjective'.
Two children looking at a simple painting of a blue circle; one child is smiling and happy, while the other child is frowning and crossing their arms.

Examples

Mi opinión sobre la película es muy subjetiva, basada en mis gustos personales.

My opinion about the movie is very biased, based on my personal tastes.

La belleza es algo muy subjetivo.

Beauty is something very subjective.

No puedes dar una nota basada en un criterio subjetivo.

You cannot give a grade based on a subjective criterion.

Su análisis del problema fue demasiado subjetivo y poco profesional.

His analysis of the problem was too subjective and unprofessional.

Matching the Ending

This word changes its ending to match the person or thing you are describing. Use 'subjetivo' for masculine items, 'subjetiva' for feminine items, and add an 's' for plural (subjetivos/subjetivas).

Word Order

Like most adjectives in Spanish, it usually comes after the thing it describes. For example, 'una opinión subjetiva' (a subjective opinion).

Confusing 'Subjective' with 'Subject'

Mistake: “Using 'el subjetivo' to mean 'the subject of a sentence'.”

Correction: Use 'el sujeto' for the grammar term 'subject', and keep 'subjetivo' for describing opinions.

Parcial vs. Subjetivo

Learners often confuse 'parcial' and 'subjetivo' because both can imply a lack of objectivity. Remember that 'parcial' means favoring a side unfairly, while 'subjetivo' means influenced by personal opinion or feeling.

Related Translations

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