Inklingo

How to Say "cast" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “cast” is “reparto” — use 'reparto' when referring to the group of actors in a film, play, or television show..

reparto🔊B1

Use 'reparto' when referring to the group of actors in a film, play, or television show.

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actores🔊A2

Use 'actores' to refer to the individuals who are performing in a play, film, or other production.

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echó🔊A2

Use 'echó' (from 'echar') when describing the past action of throwing something, like a shadow, a net, or a stone.

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echado🔊A1

Use 'echado' (from 'echar') as a past participle, often in compound verbs, to describe an action like casting a spell or casting a net, implying completion.

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personajes🔊B1

Use 'personajes' to refer to the characters in a story, play, or film, rather than the actors who play them.

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lance🔊B2

Use 'lance' specifically for the action or technique of casting a fishing line or net.

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English → Spanish

reparto

reh-PAHR-toh/reˈpaɾto/

nounB1general
Use 'reparto' when referring to the group of actors in a film, play, or television show.
A group of diverse actors standing together on a stage with a red curtain behind them.

Examples

El reparto de la película incluye actores famosos.

The movie's cast includes famous actors.

Aparece el primero en el reparto.

He appears first in the cast list.

Collective Nouns

Even though 'reparto' refers to a group of people, it is a singular word. Use 'el reparto es' not 'son'.

actores

/ak-TOR-es//akˈtoɾes/

nounA2general
Use 'actores' to refer to the individuals who are performing in a play, film, or other production.
A storybook illustration of three performers, two men and one woman, wearing simple theatrical costumes, standing center stage and taking a bow in front of red velvet curtains.

Examples

Los actores de esa película son muy famosos.

The actors in that movie are very famous.

Necesitamos más actores para la obra de teatro.

We need more performers for the play.

El director felicitó a todos los actores después del ensayo.

The director congratulated all the cast members after the rehearsal.

Masculine Plural Default

Even if a group includes both men and women, 'actores' (masculine plural) is the standard word used to refer to the whole group.

Using the Singular for Groups

Mistake: “El actor son famosos.”

Correction: Los actores son famosos. Since 'actores' is plural, the word 'son' (are) and the article 'Los' (The) must also be plural.

echó

verb (past tense)A2general
Use 'echó' (from 'echar') when describing the past action of throwing something, like a shadow, a net, or a stone.

Examples

El niño echó la piedra al agua y vimos las ondas.

The boy threw the stone into the water and we saw the ripples.

echado

eh-CHAH-doh/eˈt͡ʃa.ðo/

past participleA1general
Use 'echado' (from 'echar') as a past participle, often in compound verbs, to describe an action like casting a spell or casting a net, implying completion.
A bright yellow frisbee flying rapidly through the air against a clear blue sky, illustrating the action of being thrown.

Examples

Ya hemos echado la carta al buzón.

We have already put/thrown the letter in the mailbox.

Ella había echado demasiada azúcar al café.

She had poured/put too much sugar in the coffee.

Forming Perfect Tenses

'Echado' is combined with forms of the helping verb 'haber' (to have) to create perfect tenses like the present perfect ('he echado', I have thrown/put) and past perfect ('había echado', I had thrown/put).

Use in Passive Voice

It can also be combined with the verb 'ser' (to be) to show that an action was done to someone or something: 'El balón fue echado fuera' (The ball was thrown out).

Confusing Echar and Hacer

Mistake: “Some learners confuse 'echar' (to throw/put) with 'hacer' (to do/make).”

Correction: Remember that 'echado' is only the participle of 'echar'. The participle of 'hacer' is 'hecho'.

personajes

pehr-soh-NAH-hess/peɾsoˈnaxes/

nounB1general
Use 'personajes' to refer to the characters in a story, play, or film, rather than the actors who play them.
A storybook illustration showing three diverse fictional characters: a knight in shining armor, a princess wearing a crown, and a friendly green alien, standing together.

Examples

Los personajes principales de la novela son muy complejos.

The main characters of the novel are very complex.

¿Cuáles son tus personajes favoritos de la serie?

Who are your favorite characters from the series?

El director presentó a los personajes antes de empezar la obra.

The director introduced the characters before the play started.

The Fixed Gender of 'Personaje'

Even though 'personaje' refers to people of any gender, the word itself is always masculine. You must use 'el personaje' or 'los personajes,' never 'la personaje,' even if referring to a female character.

Confusing Gender

Mistake: “La personajes son interesantes.”

Correction: Los personajes son interesantes. Remember the article must match the noun's grammatical gender (masculine), not the character's real-life gender.

lance

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

nounB2fishing/nautical
Use 'lance' specifically for the action or technique of casting a fishing line or net.
A person's hand and arm are depicted in mid-motion, forcefully throwing a bright red ball through the air.

Examples

El pescador hizo un lance perfecto y su red cayó sobre el banco de peces.

The fisherman made a perfect cast and his net fell over the school of fish.

Necesitas más fuerza en el lance para llegar a la otra orilla.

You need more strength in the throw to reach the other shore.

Actors vs. Actions

Learners often confuse 'reparto' and 'actores' with verbs like 'echar'. Remember that 'reparto' and 'actores' refer to the people or group performing, while 'echar' (and its forms like 'echó' or 'echado') describes the action of throwing or casting something.

Related Translations

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