Inklingo

How to Say "common" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “common” is “común” — use this word when referring to something that happens frequently, is typical, or is generally encountered..

comúnA1

Use this word when referring to something that happens frequently, is typical, or is generally encountered.

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comunes🔊A1

Use this plural form when describing things that are shared by multiple people or entities, indicating a mutual connection.

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general🔊A1

This word implies something usual, widespread, or applicable to most cases, often referring to a broad idea or trend.

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públicaA1

Use this to describe something that is accessible to everyone, known by many people, or related to the state or community.

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corriente🔊A2

Choose this word for something ordinary, commonplace, or lacking distinction, emphasizing its lack of uniqueness.

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generales🔊A2

This plural form refers to rules, guidelines, or characteristics that apply broadly to a group or situation.

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vulgar🔊C1

Use this word when referring to something widespread, of the common people, or relating to the vernacular, especially in historical or linguistic contexts.

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English → Spanish

común

AdjectiveA1General
Use this word when referring to something that happens frequently, is typical, or is generally encountered.

Examples

Es muy común ver perros en este parque.

It is very common to see dogs in this park.

comunes

koh-MOO-ness/koˈmunes/

AdjectiveA1General
Use this plural form when describing things that are shared by multiple people or entities, indicating a mutual connection.
Two different hands, one light-skinned and one dark-skinned, simultaneously reaching into a woven basket overflowing with identical red apples, symbolizing something common and shared.

Examples

Tenemos varios amigos comunes.

We have several mutual friends.

Son problemas comunes en las grandes ciudades.

They are common problems in big cities.

Las áreas comunes del edificio están limpias.

The common areas of the building are clean.

Adjective Agreement

Since 'comunes' ends in -es, it is the plural form. It can describe both masculine plural nouns (problemas comunes) and feminine plural nouns (áreas comunes).

general

/kheh-neh-RAHL//xe.neˈɾal/

AdjectiveA1General
This word implies something usual, widespread, or applicable to most cases, often referring to a broad idea or trend.
A large, simple blue umbrella providing shelter to a diverse group of small people standing beneath it on a rainy street.

Examples

La idea general es buena, pero los detalles son complicados.

The general idea is good, but the details are complicated.

En general, me gusta la comida española.

In general, I like Spanish food.

Hay una preocupación general por el cambio climático.

There is a widespread concern about climate change.

One Form for Masculine & Feminine

Unlike many Spanish adjectives, 'general' doesn't change its ending for masculine or feminine things. It's 'el problema general' (a masculine thing) and 'la idea general' (a feminine thing).

Making it Plural

To talk about more than one thing, just add '-es' to the end: 'los problemas generales' or 'las ideas generales'.

Trying to Make it Feminine

Mistake: “La idea generala es buena.”

Correction: La idea general es buena. Remember, the word 'general' stays the same whether the thing it describes is masculine or feminine.

pública

AdjectiveA1General
Use this to describe something that is accessible to everyone, known by many people, or related to the state or community.

Examples

La biblioteca pública abre a las nueve.

The public library opens at nine.

corriente

koh-rree-EN-teh/koˈrjente/

AdjectiveA2General
Choose this word for something ordinary, commonplace, or lacking distinction, emphasizing its lack of uniqueness.
A plain, unremarkable gray pebble lying on a dirt ground surrounded by many identical common pebbles.

Examples

No es nada especial, solo un coche corriente.

It's nothing special, just an ordinary car.

Su opinión es bastante corriente entre la gente.

His opinion is quite common among people.

Always the Same

As an adjective meaning 'ordinary,' 'corriente' is an adjective that stays the same regardless of whether the noun it describes is masculine or feminine (e.g., 'un coche corriente', 'una persona corriente').

generales

/hen-eh-RAH-lehs//xe.neˈɾa.les/

AdjectiveA2General
This plural form refers to rules, guidelines, or characteristics that apply broadly to a group or situation.
A wide view of a vast green landscape with hills, trees, and a river under a blue sky.

Examples

Hay reglas generales para todos los estudiantes.

There are general rules for all students.

Llegamos a unos acuerdos generales durante la reunión.

We reached some general agreements during the meeting.

En líneas generales, el proyecto va muy bien.

Broadly speaking, the project is going very well.

Making it plural

When a word ends in a consonant like 'l', you add '-es' to make it plural. So, 'general' becomes 'generales' when describing more than one thing.

One word for both genders

This word doesn't change based on gender. You use 'generales' for both masculine groups (los libros generales) and feminine groups (las ideas generales).

The English 's' trap

Mistake: “los generals”

Correction: los generales

vulgar

bool-GAR/bulˈɣaɾ/

AdjectiveC1Formal/Specialized
Use this word when referring to something widespread, of the common people, or relating to the vernacular, especially in historical or linguistic contexts.
A single, plain, standard yellow number two pencil lying horizontally on a neutral background, representing something common or ordinary.

Examples

El latín vulgar evolucionó para formar las lenguas romances.

Vulgar Latin evolved to form the Romance languages.

Es un error de dominio vulgar que mucha gente acepta como verdad.

It is a common error that many people accept as truth.

Historical Context

This meaning reflects the word's original connection to the 'vulgus' (the common crowd or people). When you hear it in historical or linguistic contexts, it simply means 'of the people,' without the negative connotation.

Común vs. Corriente

Learners often confuse 'común' and 'corriente'. Remember that 'común' emphasizes frequency or typicality (something happens often), while 'corriente' highlights ordinariness or lack of specialness (something is plain or average).

Related Translations

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