Inklingo

How to Say "draft" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “draft” is “proyecto” — use 'proyecto' for a preliminary plan or version of something, like a project, a law, or a document, especially in an academic or official context.

proyecto🔊A1

Use 'proyecto' for a preliminary plan or version of something, like a project, a law, or a document, especially in an academic or official context.

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borrador🔊B1

Use 'borrador' when referring to a preliminary written version of a text, such as an essay, report, or novel, before it is finalized.

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corriente🔊A2

Use 'corriente' to describe a flow of air, water, or even electricity; it often implies an unwanted or natural flow.

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tiro🔊B2

Use 'tiro' specifically for the draft in a chimney or ventilation system, referring to the upward flow of air or smoke.

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giro🔊B1

Use 'giro' for a financial transaction, specifically a money order or a bank transfer, often involving sending money to someone.

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manuscrito🔊B1

Use 'manuscrito' for an original written work, especially an old one, that has not yet been printed.

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letra🔊C1

Use 'letra' in a financial context for a bill of exchange or a written order for payment, especially one with a specific maturity date.

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English → Spanish

proyecto

pro-YEK-tohpɾoˈʝekto

nounA1general
Use 'proyecto' for a preliminary plan or version of something, like a project, a law, or a document, especially in an academic or official context.
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

Presentaron un proyecto de ley para proteger el medio ambiente.

They presented a draft bill to protect the environment.

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.)

borrador

bo-rrah-DORboraˈðoɾ

nounB1general
Use 'borrador' when referring to a preliminary written version of a text, such as an essay, report, or novel, before it is finalized.
A stack of papers with hand-drawn sketches and messy lines, representing an early version of a project.

Examples

Necesito revisar el primer borrador de mi ensayo antes de entregarlo.

I need to review the first draft of my essay before submitting it.

He escrito el primer borrador de mi novela.

I have written the first draft of my novel.

Por favor, revisa este borrador antes de enviarlo.

Please, review this draft before sending it.

Todavía es un borrador muy preliminar.

It is still a very preliminary draft.

Abstract vs. Physical

The word works for both physical objects (erasers) and abstract concepts (ideas for a paper), because both can be 'erased' or changed.

Don't use as a verb

Mistake: “Saying 'Yo borrador el ensayo'.”

Correction: Borrador is only a thing. To say 'to draft,' use 'hacer un borrador' or 'redactar'.

corriente

koh-rree-EN-tehkoˈrjente

nounA2general
Use 'corriente' to describe a flow of air, water, or even electricity; it often implies an unwanted or natural flow.
A depiction of a strong, fast-moving blue river current flowing around a bend in a natural landscape.

Examples

Cierra la ventana, entra mucha corriente de aire.

Close the window, a lot of air draft is 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.

tiro

TEE-rohˈtiɾo

nounB2technical
Use 'tiro' specifically for the draft in a chimney or ventilation system, referring to the upward flow of air or smoke.
A simple brick chimney on a roof, with smoke rapidly rising straight up into the sky, illustrating a strong draft.

Examples

El tiro de la chimenea no es bueno y el humo se queda en la habitación.

The chimney draft is not good and the 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.

giro

HEE-rohˈxi.ɾo

nounB1financial
Use 'giro' for a financial transaction, specifically a money order or a bank transfer, often involving sending money to someone.
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 draft (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.

manuscrito

mah-noo-SKREE-tohmanusˈkɾito

nounB1historical/literary
Use 'manuscrito' for an original written work, especially an old one, that has not yet been printed.
A stack of aged parchment papers with dark ink script and a feathered quill pen resting on top.

Examples

El historiador estudió el manuscrito original de Cervantes.

The historian studied the original manuscript by Cervantes.

El museo guarda un manuscrito medieval muy valioso.

The museum keeps a very valuable medieval manuscript.

El autor envió el manuscrito de su nueva novela a la editorial.

The author sent the manuscript of his new novel to the publisher.

Es difícil leer este manuscrito porque la letra es muy pequeña.

It is difficult to read this manuscript because the handwriting is very small.

Always Masculine

Even though it refers to a 'document' or 'book,' the word itself is always masculine: 'el manuscrito'.

Making it Plural

To talk about more than one, simply add an -s: 'los manuscritos'.

Confusing with 'Escritura'

Mistake: “Me gusta tu manuscrito.”

Correction: Me gusta tu escritura.

letra

LEH-trahˈle.tɾa

nounC1financial/legal
Use 'letra' in a financial context for a bill of exchange or a written order for payment, especially one with a specific maturity date.
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 60 días.

The merchant accepted a 60-day bill of exchange (draft).

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.

Written Draft vs. Air Draft

The most common confusion is between 'borrador'/'proyecto' (a written version) and 'corriente'/'tiro' (a flow of air). Always ask yourself if you're talking about something you write or something you feel or that moves air.

Related Translations

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