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How to Say "draft" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “draft” is “corriente” — use 'corriente' when referring to a flow of air, especially an unwanted one that causes a draft..

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corriente

koh-rree-EN-teh/koˈrjente/

nounA2general
Use 'corriente' when referring to a flow of air, especially an unwanted one that causes a draft.
A depiction of a strong, fast-moving blue river current flowing around a bend in a natural landscape.

Examples

Tengo frío, cierra la ventana que entra corriente.

I'm cold, close the window, there's a draft coming in.

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.

Gender Check

Even though it ends in '-e', 'corriente' is always a feminine noun, so you must use 'la' or 'una' with it.

proyecto

pro-YEK-toh/pɾoˈʝekto/

nounA1general
Use 'proyecto' for a preliminary version of a written document, plan, or project, like a first draft of a paper or a building plan.
A friendly cartoon person sitting at a wooden table, carefully studying a simple rolled-out blueprint that outlines a small, planned house. A pencil rests nearby.

Examples

Este es solo un proyecto del informe, la versión final será diferente.

This is just a draft of the report; the final version will be different.

Nuestro proyecto final es construir una maqueta de la ciudad.

Our final project is to build a model of the city.

Necesitamos aprobar el proyecto de presupuesto antes de fin de mes.

We need to approve the budget proposal before the end of the month.

Mi abuelo siempre habla de su proyecto de vida.

My grandfather always talks about his life plan.

Gender Rule

Even though many Spanish words ending in -a are feminine, 'proyecto' follows the rule for words ending in -o: it is masculine. Always use 'el' or 'un' before it.

Verb Choice

Mistake: “Hicimos un proyecto.”

Correction: Realizamos un proyecto. ('Hacer' is fine but 'realizar' or 'ejecutar' (to execute) are often better verbs for formal projects.)

giro

/HEE-roh//ˈxi.ɾo/

nounB1financial
Use 'giro' for a financial transaction, specifically a money order or a transfer of funds.
Two cartoon hands exchanging a rectangular white paper document above a small pile of gold coins, symbolizing a transfer of value.

Examples

Hice un giro bancario para pagar la factura.

I made a bank transfer to pay the bill.

Necesito hacer un giro de 500 dólares a México.

I need to make a transfer (or money order) of 500 dollars to Mexico.

El banco me cobró una comisión por el giro.

The bank charged me a fee for the transfer.

tiro

TEE-roh/ˈtiɾo/

nounB2technical
Use 'tiro' to describe the upward draft in a chimney or ventilation system that allows smoke or air to escape.
A simple brick chimney on a roof, with smoke rapidly rising straight up into the sky, illustrating a strong draft.

Examples

Si el tiro de la chimenea no funciona bien, el humo se queda en la habitación.

If the chimney draft doesn't work well, smoke stays in the room.

La chimenea tiene buen tiro, por eso no sale humo.

The chimney has a good draft, that's why no smoke comes out.

El carro de tiro es muy pesado para un solo caballo.

The haulage cart is too heavy for a single horse.

letra

LEH-trah/ˈle.tɾa/

nounC1financial
Use 'letra' specifically for a written order for payment, often a bill of exchange or a promissory note in a financial context.
Two cartoon hands formally exchanging a large, sealed, official-looking paper scroll, symbolizing a financial document transfer.

Examples

El comerciante aceptó una letra de cambio a sesenta días.

The merchant accepted a bill of exchange at sixty days.

El banco descontó una letra a 90 días.

The bank discounted a 90-day bill of exchange.

Tuvimos que pagar la letra del coche este mes.

We had to pay the car installment/payment this month.

Draft vs. Proyecto

The most common mistake is using 'proyecto' for any kind of draft. Remember, 'proyecto' is for preliminary written works or plans. For a draft of air, the correct word is 'corriente'.

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