How to Say "collective" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “collective” is “colectivo” — use 'colectivo' as an adjective when describing something that is shared by, or done by, a group of people, emphasizing unity or common purpose.
Use 'colectivo' as an adjective when describing something that is shared by, or done by, a group of people, emphasizing unity or common purpose.
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Use 'comuna' when talking about a specific type of community where people live together and share resources, often in a rural or alternative lifestyle setting.
Learn more →ko-lek-TEE-bokolekˈtiβo
Examples
Necesitamos un esfuerzo colectivo para limpiar el parque.
We need a collective effort to clean the park.
La seguridad es una responsabilidad colectiva.
Safety is a shared responsibility.
Los trabajadores firmaron un contrato colectivo.
The workers signed a group contract.
El colectivo de artistas organizó una exposición.
The artist collective organized an exhibition.
Matching with Objects
This word must change its ending to match the thing it describes. Use 'colectivo' for masculine items (un esfuerzo) and 'colectiva' for feminine items (una decisión).
Singular vs. Plural Action
Even though a 'colectivo' contains many people, the word itself is singular. The verb that follows it should be in the singular form (e.g., El colectivo decidió, not decidieron).
Confusion with 'Group'
Mistake: “Un grupo esfuerzo.”
Correction: Un esfuerzo colectivo. (Use the adjective 'colectivo' to describe the type of effort, rather than the noun 'group').
ko-lek-TEE-bokolekˈtiβo
Examples
El colectivo de artistas organizó una exposición.
The artist collective organized an exhibition.
Necesitamos un esfuerzo colectivo para limpiar el parque.
We need a collective effort to clean the park.
La seguridad es una responsabilidad colectiva.
Safety is a shared responsibility.
Los trabajadores firmaron un contrato colectivo.
The workers signed a group contract.
Matching with Objects
This word must change its ending to match the thing it describes. Use 'colectivo' for masculine items (un esfuerzo) and 'colectiva' for feminine items (una decisión).
Singular vs. Plural Action
Even though a 'colectivo' contains many people, the word itself is singular. The verb that follows it should be in the singular form (e.g., El colectivo decidió, not decidieron).
Confusion with 'Group'
Mistake: “Un grupo esfuerzo.”
Correction: Un esfuerzo colectivo. (Use the adjective 'colectivo' to describe the type of effort, rather than the noun 'group').
ko-MOO-nahkoˈmuna
Examples
Ellos decidieron irse a vivir a una comuna en el campo.
They decided to go live in a commune in the countryside.
La Comuna de París fue un breve gobierno revolucionario.
The Paris Commune was a brief revolutionary government.
En la comuna, todos compartían las tareas y la comida.
In the commune, everyone shared the chores and the food.
Proper Noun Usage
When talking about the historical 'Paris Commune,' capitalize it: 'La Comuna de París'.
Colectivo vs. Comuna
The most common mistake is using 'comuna' for any group with a shared interest. Remember, 'comuna' specifically refers to a group living together and sharing resources, like a commune. 'Colectivo' is broader, covering both shared efforts (adjective) and organized groups (noun).
Related Translations
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