How to Say "current" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “current” is “actual” — use this for 'current' when referring to the present situation, time, or state of things.
actual
ak-TOO-alakˈtwal
Examples
La situación actual es preocupante.
The current situation is worrying.
La situación actual del mercado es inestable.
The current situation of the market is unstable.
Necesitamos revisar el horario actual de clases.
We need to check the present-day class schedule.
Esta es la versión actual del software.
This is the up-to-date version of the software.
Always Agrees in Number
As an adjective, 'actual' must match the noun it describes in number. For example: 'el informe actual' (singular) vs. 'los informes actuales' (plural). It stays the same for masculine and feminine nouns.
False Friend Alert!
Mistake: “The actual problem is... (El actual problema es...)”
Correction: The *real* problem is... (El *verdadero* problema es...). Remember, 'actual' means 'current' or 'present,' not 'real' or 'genuine'.
presente
preh-SEN-tehpɾeˈsente
Examples
Debemos considerar el problema presente.
We must consider the present problem.
Necesitamos enfocarnos en la situación presente.
We need to focus on the current situation.
La crisis está presente en toda la región.
The crisis is present throughout the whole region.
El presidente dijo que el peligro ya no está presente.
The president said that the danger is no longer present.
Always Agrees
As an adjective, 'presente' changes its form slightly to match the noun it describes, though it usually stays 'presente' for both masculine and feminine, singular nouns. For plural nouns, it becomes 'presentes'.
Mixing Adjective and Noun
Mistake: “Usar 'presente' como sustantivo sin 'el' (Use 'presente' as a noun without 'el').”
Correction: When talking about the current time, you must use the article 'el': 'El presente es ahora' (The present is now).
corriente
koh-rree-EN-tehkoˈrjente
Examples
El mes corriente termina pronto.
The current month ends soon.
La corriente del río arrastró la canoa.
The river current swept the canoe away.
Cierra la ventana, por favor; hay mucha corriente de aire.
Close the window, please; there is a strong draft.
El mes corriente finaliza el jueves.
The current month ends on Thursday.
Gender Check
Even though it ends in '-e', 'corriente' is always a feminine noun, so you must use 'la' or 'una' with it.
Time Marker
When used for time ('mes corriente'), it is placed after the noun, just like most descriptive Spanish adjectives.
electricidad
eh-lek-trih-see-dahdelek.tɾi.siˈðað
Examples
La cuenta de electricidad es alta.
The electricity bill is high.
Necesito pagar la factura de la electricidad este mes.
I need to pay the electricity bill this month.
Cuando hay tormenta, a veces se va la electricidad.
When there is a storm, sometimes the power goes out.
Descubrieron cómo almacenar la electricidad de forma más eficiente.
They discovered how to store electricity more efficiently.
Gender Alert
Remember that 'electricidad' is always feminine, so you must use 'la' before it: 'la electricidad'. Nouns ending in -dad are almost always feminine.
Using 'luz' instead of 'electricidad'
Mistake: “La luz se fue.”
Correction: Se fue la electricidad. (While 'luz' is often used informally to mean power, 'electricidad' is the precise, broader term for the power supply when discussing technical aspects.)
corriente
koh-rree-EN-tehkoˈrjente
Examples
La corriente del mar es fuerte hoy.
The sea current is strong today.
La corriente del río arrastró la canoa.
The river current swept the canoe away.
Cierra la ventana, por favor; hay mucha corriente de aire.
Close the window, please; there is a strong draft.
El mes corriente finaliza el jueves.
The current month ends on Thursday.
Gender Check
Even though it ends in '-e', 'corriente' is always a feminine noun, so you must use 'la' or 'una' with it.
Time Marker
When used for time ('mes corriente'), it is placed after the noun, just like most descriptive Spanish adjectives.
flujo
FLOO-hohˈflu.xo
Examples
El flujo de aire en la habitación es bueno.
The airflow in the room is good.
El flujo de tráfico se detuvo por el accidente.
The flow of traffic stopped because of the accident.
Hay un buen flujo de información entre los departamentos.
There is a good flow of information between the departments.
Revisa el flujo de la corriente eléctrica.
Check the flow of the electrical current.
Always Masculine
Remember that 'flujo' is always a masculine noun, so you must use 'el' (the) and masculine adjectives with it.
Confusing with 'fluido'
Mistake: “El fluido de agua (The fluid of water)”
Correction: El flujo de agua (The flow of water). 'Fluido' means 'fluid' (the substance), while 'flujo' means 'flow' (the movement).
válido
Examples
Mi pase de transporte sigue válido.
My transport pass is still valid.
vigente
bee-HEN-tehbiˈhente
Examples
La ley vigente protege a los consumidores.
The current law protects consumers.
Mi pasaporte todavía está vigente por dos años más.
My passport is still valid for two more years.
Debemos seguir la normativa vigente para evitar multas.
We must follow the current regulations to avoid fines.
Esa vieja tradición sigue vigente en muchos pueblos rurales.
That old tradition is still in use in many rural towns.
One Form for All
This word ends in 'e,' which means it stays exactly the same whether you are talking about a masculine thing (un contrato) or a feminine thing (una ley).
Use with 'Estar'
We usually use this word with 'estar' because being valid or current is often seen as a status that could change in the future.
The 'Vigenta' Error
Mistake: “La ley vigenta.”
Correction: La ley vigente. Remember that adjectives ending in 'e' don't change to 'a' for feminine words.
Confusing 'Vigente' with 'Legal'
Mistake: “Saying 'vigente' when you just mean something is allowed.”
Correction: Use 'vigente' specifically to say something is *currently* active or hasn't expired yet.
existente
ek-sees-TEN-teheksisˈtente
Examples
Hay que usar los recursos existentes.
We must use the existing resources.
Debemos aprovechar los recursos existentes.
We must make use of the existing resources.
No hay pruebas existentes de vida en ese planeta.
There is no existing evidence of life on that planet.
Las leyes existentes no cubren este nuevo problema.
The current laws do not cover this new problem.
One Ending for Everyone
This word is a 'chameleon' word. Because it ends in -e, it stays exactly the same whether you are describing a masculine noun (el recurso existente) or a feminine noun (la ley existente).
Where it goes in a sentence
In Spanish, this word almost always follows the noun it describes. For example, 'existing problems' becomes 'problemas existentes'.
Don't confuse with 'Actual'
Mistake: “Using 'actualmente' to mean 'existingly'.”
Correction: Use 'existente' for things that exist, and 'actual' for things happening right now. They often overlap, but 'existente' emphasizes that something is real/present.
contemporáneo
Examples
Prefiero la música contemporánea.
I prefer contemporary music.
movimiento
moh-vee-mee-EHN-tohmo.βiˈmjen.to
Examples
El movimiento feminista ha ganado fuerza.
The feminist movement has gained strength.
El movimiento ecologista tiene muchos seguidores jóvenes.
The ecological movement has many young followers.
Lucharon por el movimiento de derechos civiles.
They fought for the civil rights movement.
Countable Noun
In this sense, 'movimiento' is countable, meaning you can have 'un movimiento' or 'varios movimientos' (one movement, several movements).
activo
ahk-TEE-vohakˈti.βo
Examples
El sistema está activo ahora.
The system is currently active.
En esta oración, el verbo está en voz activa.
In this sentence, the verb is in the active voice.
El volcán ha permanecido activo durante siglos.
The volcano has remained active for centuries.
Grammar Use
When discussing grammar, 'voz activa' (active voice) means the person or thing doing the action is the main focus of the sentence.
aceptado
ah-sep-TAH-dohaθepˈt̪aðo
Examples
Ese estilo de ropa es muy aceptado.
That style of clothing is very accepted/fashionable.
El plan fue aceptado por todos los miembros del equipo.
The plan was accepted by all the team members.
Su comportamiento no es generalmente aceptado en este ambiente.
His behavior is not generally accepted in this environment.
La solicitud fue aceptada, puedes empezar la próxima semana.
The application was accepted, you can start next week.
Adjective Agreement
As an adjective, 'aceptado' must match the thing it describes. Use 'aceptada' for feminine singular nouns (la oferta), 'aceptados' for masculine plural (los términos), and 'aceptadas' for feminine plural (las ideas).
Forgetting Agreement
Mistake: “La propuesta fue aceptado.”
Correction: La propuesta fue aceptada. (The feminine noun 'propuesta' requires the feminine form 'aceptada'.)
fluido
floo-EE-dohˈflwiðo
Examples
Hay que pagar el fluido eléctrico.
We have to pay for the electrical fluid (electricity).
Es importante beber muchos fluidos cuando estás enfermo.
It's important to drink plenty of fluids when you are sick.
El aceite es un fluido viscoso.
Oil is a viscous fluid.
Hubo un corte en el fluido eléctrico.
There was an interruption in the electrical current.
Scientific Accuracy
In science, a 'fluido' isn't just a liquid; it also includes gases. It refers to anything that flows.
Using 'fluido' for 'juice'
Mistake: “Quiero un fluido de naranja.”
Correction: Quiero un zumo/jugo de naranja.
Actual vs. Corriente vs. Presente
Related Translations
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