Inklingo

How to Say "description" in Spanish

English → Spanish

descripción

nounA1general
Use 'descripción' when referring to the act of describing something or the resulting written or spoken account of it.

Examples

Necesito una descripción clara del problema para poder ayudarte.

I need a clear description of the problem to be able to help you.

perfil

/pehr-FEEL//peɾˈfil/

nounB2professional
Use 'perfil' when you mean a summary of someone's traits, skills, or qualifications, especially in a professional or personal context.
A collection of three symbolic objects representing professional abilities: a stylized gear for mechanics, a bright lightbulb for ideas, and a paintbrush for creativity.

Examples

Estamos buscando un candidato con un perfil técnico muy fuerte.

We are looking for a candidate with a very strong technical profile (skill set).

Su perfil psicológico indica una alta creatividad.

His psychological profile indicates high creativity.

El perfil del puesto exige tres años de experiencia.

The job description (or profile of the position) requires three years of experience.

Translating 'Description'

Mistake: “Using 'descripción' when referring to a person's skill set or required characteristics.”

Correction: Use 'perfil' instead of 'descripción' when talking about the summary of traits or skills needed for a job ('el perfil del puesto').

Descripción vs. Perfil

Learners often mistakenly use 'descripción' when they intend to refer to a person's set of skills or qualifications. Remember that 'perfil' specifically refers to a summary of characteristics, not a general account of something.

Related Translations

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