How to Say "common sense" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “common sense” is “fundamento” — use 'fundamento' when referring to a general lack of seriousness, maturity, or good judgment in a person, especially in serious situations..
fundamento
/foon-dah-MEN-toh//fundaˈmento/
Examples
Ese chico no tiene fundamento; siempre está bromeando en momentos serios.
That boy has no common sense; he's always joking at serious moments.
Es un hombre de mucho fundamento.
He is a very serious and reliable man.
Haz las cosas con fundamento.
Do things with proper care and seriousness.
Describing People
When used for people, it usually follows the verb 'tener' (to have) or 'ser' (to be).
seso
/SEH-soh//ˈseso/
Examples
Hazlo con seso y no te precipites.
Do it with common sense and don't rush.
Me estoy devanando los sesos para resolver esto.
I am racking my brains to solve this.
Es un hombre de mucho seso.
He is a man of great judgment.
Abstract Use
When 'seso' means 'judgment,' it is often used in the singular, unless you are using the specific idiom 'devanarse los sesos'.
Thinking of 'brains' as people
Mistake: “Saying 'Él es el seso del grupo.'”
Correction: In Spanish, to call someone the 'brains' of an operation, use 'cerebro': 'Él es el cerebro del grupo.'
Fundamento vs. Seso
Related Translations
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