Inklingo

How to Say "bond" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “bond” is “vínculo” — use this for a strong, often emotional or relational connection between people, like family or close friends.

vínculoB1

Use this for a strong, often emotional or relational connection between people, like family or close friends.

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lazo🔊B1

This refers to an emotional or personal connection, often emphasizing closeness and affection, especially in family or friendships.

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conexiónB2

Use this when describing an emotional or interpersonal relationship, highlighting a feeling of understanding or shared experience.

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bono🔊B2

This is the term for a financial security or investment, like a government bond or a corporate bond.

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fianza🔊B1

Use this specifically for a financial guarantee, most commonly 'bail' in a legal context, or a surety bond.

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eslabónB2

This refers to a link in a chain, used metaphorically to describe a crucial connection or piece of evidence in a sequence or investigation.

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vinculaciónB2

Use this for a connection or association, often found in research or when discussing relationships between concepts, events, or people.

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obligaciónB2

This term refers to a debt instrument or a type of financial security, similar to 'bono' but often implying a more formal or long-term financial commitment.

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complicidad🔊B1

This implies a shared understanding or secret agreement between people, often with a slightly negative or conspiratorial connotation, but can also mean deep empathy.

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enlace🔊A2

This primarily means a link or connection, often used for hyperlinks on the internet, but can also refer to a chemical bond or a union.

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uniónC1

Use this for a formal union or joining, such as a marriage or a partnership, emphasizing the act of coming together.

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English → Spanish

vínculo

nounB1general
Use this for a strong, often emotional or relational connection between people, like family or close friends.

Examples

El vínculo entre los hermanos es irrompible.

The bond between the siblings is unbreakable.

lazo

LAH-sohˈlaso

nounB1general
This refers to an emotional or personal connection, often emphasizing closeness and affection, especially in family or friendships.
Two hands of different people holding each other firmly.

Examples

Los lazos familiares son muy importantes en nuestra cultura.

Family bonds are very important in our culture.

Queremos estrechar los lazos entre nuestras empresas.

We want to strengthen the ties between our companies.

Abstract Meaning

In this context, 'lazo' is figurative, like an invisible string connecting people.

conexión

nounB2general
Use this when describing an emotional or interpersonal relationship, highlighting a feeling of understanding or shared experience.

Examples

Sentí una fuerte conexión emocional con el personaje del libro.

I felt a strong emotional connection with the character in the book.

bono

boh-nohˈbono

nounB2finance
This is the term for a financial security or investment, like a government bond or a corporate bond.
A formal document with a wax seal resting on a wooden table.

Examples

El gobierno emitió nuevos bonos del estado.

The government issued new state bonds.

Invertir en bonos es más seguro que en acciones.

Investing in bonds is safer than in stocks.

Los bonos del tesoro tienen un interés bajo.

Treasury bonds have a low interest rate.

Business Terminology

In financial contexts, 'bono' is used just like 'bond' in English to describe a loan made by an investor to a borrower.

fianza

fee-AHN-sah (Latin America) / fee-AHN-thah (Spain)ˈfjan.sa

nounB1legal, finance
Use this specifically for a financial guarantee, most commonly 'bail' in a legal context, or a surety bond.
A hand outside a barred door passing a stack of money to a hand inside, symbolizing payment for release from custody.

Examples

Tuvimos que pagar una fianza muy alta para que saliera de la cárcel.

We had to pay a very high bail so that he could leave jail.

Cuando alquilas el apartamento, siempre tienes que dejar una fianza.

When you rent the apartment, you always have to leave a security deposit.

Gender Reminder

Even though 'fianza' ends in -a, remember it is a feminine noun, requiring feminine articles (la fianza, una fianza).

eslabón

nounB2general, metaphorical
This refers to a link in a chain, used metaphorically to describe a crucial connection or piece of evidence in a sequence or investigation.

Examples

Este testigo es el eslabón clave para resolver el crimen.

This witness is the key link to solving the crime.

vinculación

nounB2academic, general
Use this for a connection or association, often found in research or when discussing relationships between concepts, events, or people.

Examples

Los científicos han encontrado una vinculación entre la dieta y el sueño.

Scientists have found a link between diet and sleep.

obligación

nounB2finance
This term refers to a debt instrument or a type of financial security, similar to 'bono' but often implying a more formal or long-term financial commitment.

Examples

El gobierno emitió nuevas obligaciones para financiar el proyecto.

The government issued new bonds to finance the project.

complicidad

kom-plee-thee-dahdkompliθiˈðað

nounB1general, informal
This implies a shared understanding or secret agreement between people, often with a slightly negative or conspiratorial connotation, but can also mean deep empathy.
Two close friends sitting together, sharing a knowing smile and a wink.

Examples

Hay mucha complicidad entre los dos hermanos.

There is a great shared understanding between the two brothers.

Se miraron con complicidad antes de gastar la broma.

They looked at each other knowingly before playing the prank.

La complicidad de la pareja era evidente para todos los invitados.

The couple's special bond was obvious to all the guests.

The '-dad' Gender Rule

Words that end in '-dad' are almost always feminine in Spanish, so you should always use 'la' or 'una' with this word.

Using 'Entre'

When talking about a bond between people, we use the word 'entre' (between). For example: 'complicidad entre amigos'.

Gender Error

Mistake: “El complicidad es importante.”

Correction: La complicidad es importante. (Because words ending in -dad are feminine).

enlace

en-LAH-sehenˈlaθe

nounA2general, technical
This primarily means a link or connection, often used for hyperlinks on the internet, but can also refer to a chemical bond or a union.
A stylized depiction of two abstract shapes connected by a glowing line, suggesting a digital link or connection. A cursor hovers nearby.

Examples

Por favor, haz clic en el enlace para descargar el archivo.

Please click on the link to download the file.

Necesitamos un enlace directo entre las dos oficinas.

We need a direct connection between the two offices.

El enlace químico es muy fuerte.

The chemical bond is very strong.

Gender Check

'Enlace' is always masculine (el, un), even though it ends in the letter '-e'. This is common for nouns ending in '-aje' and '-e' that come from verb actions.

Using 'link' in Spanish

Mistake: “Using 'el link' instead of 'el enlace' in formal writing.”

Correction: While many Spanish speakers use 'link' when talking about the internet, 'enlace' is the correct and preferred word in professional and academic settings.

unión

nounC1formal, general
Use this for a formal union or joining, such as a marriage or a partnership, emphasizing the act of coming together.

Examples

La pareja decidió formalizar su unión después de diez años.

The couple decided to formalize their partnership after ten years.

Emotional vs. Financial Bonds

The most common confusion is between words for emotional connections like 'vínculo', 'lazo', and 'conexión', and financial terms like 'bono' or 'obligación'. Always consider if you're talking about feelings or money; the context will usually make it clear.

Related Translations

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