Inklingo

How to Say "fair" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “fair” is “justo” — use 'justo' when referring to fairness in terms of justice, equality, or impartiality, especially in judgments or treatment..

justo🔊B1

Use 'justo' when referring to fairness in terms of justice, equality, or impartiality, especially in judgments or treatment.

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razonable🔊A2

Use 'razonable' when referring to something that is sensible, logical, or acceptable, like a price, wage, or explanation.

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decente🔊A2

Use 'decente' to describe something of acceptable quality, appropriateness, or morality, like a salary or behavior.

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feria🔊A2

Use 'feria' specifically for a public fair, market, or carnival, often held annually in a town or city.

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limpios🔊B1

Use 'limpios' when 'fair' implies honesty, transparency, and adherence to rules, particularly in business or competition.

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festival🔊A2

Use 'festival' for organized public celebrations, often with a specific theme like music, film, or food, similar to a fair but sometimes more specialized.

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rubio🔊A1

Use 'rubio' only when 'fair' refers to light-colored hair or complexion, meaning blond.

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English → Spanish

justo

/HOOS-toh//ˈxusto/

adjectiveB1general
Use 'justo' when referring to fairness in terms of justice, equality, or impartiality, especially in judgments or treatment.
A perfectly balanced antique scale of justice, with two identical, simple weights resting evenly on the pans, symbolizing fairness and equality.

Examples

El árbitro fue justo con ambos equipos.

The referee was fair with both teams.

El profesor es muy justo con todos los estudiantes.

The teacher is very fair with all the students.

Necesito la cantidad justa de azúcar para la receta.

I need the exact amount of sugar for the recipe.

Estos pantalones me quedan un poco justos.

These pants are a bit tight on me.

Making it Match: Gender and Number

When 'justo' is used to describe something (as an adjective), it needs to match the thing it's describing. It changes its ending: justo (for masculine things), justa (for feminine things), justos (for masculine plural), and justas (for feminine plural).

Using 'justo' for 'only'

Mistake: “Quiero justo un café.”

Correction: Quiero solo un café. (I only want one coffee.) Use 'solo' or 'solamente' when you mean 'only' or 'just' in the sense of quantity.

razonable

rah-thoh-NAH-bleh (Spain) / rah-soh-NAH-bleh (L. Am.)/raθoˈnaβle/

adjectiveA2general
Use 'razonable' when referring to something that is sensible, logical, or acceptable, like a price, wage, or explanation.
A simplified cartoon figure successfully placing the final block on a stable, perfectly balanced structure, indicating a sensible and well-thought-out approach.

Examples

El precio del billete de tren es razonable.

The price of the train ticket is fair/reasonable.

Su explicación sobre el retraso fue muy razonable.

His explanation for the delay was very sensible.

Necesitamos llegar a un acuerdo razonable para ambas partes.

We need to reach a reasonable agreement for both parties.

Ese restaurante tiene precios muy razonables.

That restaurant has very reasonable prices (affordable).

Agreement

Since 'razonable' ends in -e, it stays the same whether the noun is masculine (el acuerdo razonable) or feminine (la propuesta razonable). Just add -s for plural.

Confusing with 'Rational'

Mistake: “Using 'racional' when you mean 'sensible' or 'fair price'.”

Correction: 'Racional' usually refers to thinking process or math. Use 'razonable' for fairness and general sensibility.

decente

/deh-SEHN-teh//deˈθen̪.te/

adjectiveA2general
Use 'decente' to describe something of acceptable quality, appropriateness, or morality, like a salary or behavior.
A simple, well-made sandwich consisting of turkey and lettuce, neatly cut in half and placed on a plain white plate, illustrating acceptable quality.

Examples

Ganaba un sueldo decente para vivir cómodamente.

He earned a decent/fair salary to live comfortably.

Necesitamos un sueldo decente para pagar las cuentas.

We need a decent salary to pay the bills.

La comida no era gourmet, pero era decente.

The food wasn't gourmet, but it was decent/acceptable.

El apartamento es pequeño, pero está en condiciones decentes.

The apartment is small, but it is in decent condition.

Always Ends in -e

Since 'decente' ends in '-e', it stays the same whether the noun is masculine (el trabajo decente) or feminine (la casa decente). Only change the ending for plural: 'decentes'.

feria

FEH-ree-ah/ˈfe.ɾja/

nounA2general
Use 'feria' specifically for a public fair, market, or carnival, often held annually in a town or city.
A large, brightly colored Ferris wheel at a fairground, reaching high into a clear blue sky.

Examples

La feria de abril de Sevilla atrae a miles de visitantes.

The April fair in Seville attracts thousands of visitors.

Todos los años vamos a la feria del pueblo en agosto.

Every year we go to the town fair in August.

Me encantan las atracciones de la feria, especialmente la rueda gigante.

I love the rides at the carnival, especially the Ferris wheel.

Always Feminine

Remember that 'feria' is always treated as a feminine word, so you must use 'la feria' or 'una feria'.

limpios

/LEEM-pyohs//ˈlimpjos/

adjectiveB1general
Use 'limpios' when 'fair' implies honesty, transparency, and adherence to rules, particularly in business or competition.
Two children shaking hands over a board game.

Examples

Se esperan elecciones limpias y sin fraude.

Fair and fraud-free elections are expected.

Queremos unos negocios limpios y transparentes.

We want fair and transparent business deals.

Fueron unos combates limpios.

They were fair fights.

Figurative Meaning

When describing a person's history or a game, it means they haven't done anything wrong or illegal.

festival

/fes-tee-VAHL//festiˈβal/

nounA2general
Use 'festival' for organized public celebrations, often with a specific theme like music, film, or food, similar to a fair but sometimes more specialized.
A simple storybook illustration of a lively outdoor music festival. A performer is on a large stage, and a diverse crowd of tiny, colorful people are gathered below, cheering.

Examples

Asistimos a un festival de música en el parque.

We attended a music festival/fair in the park.

El festival de cine de San Sebastián es muy famoso.

The San Sebastián film festival is very famous.

Este verano asistiremos al festival de música electrónica.

This summer we will attend the electronic music festival.

Hubo un festival gastronómico con comida de todo el mundo.

There was a food festival with cuisine from all over the world.

Masculine Noun Rule

Even though 'festival' ends in -al, it is always a masculine noun. Always use 'el' or 'un' before it (el festival, un festival).

Misusing Gender

Mistake: “Saying 'La festival' (The festival).”

Correction: The correct form is 'El festival' because the word is masculine.

rubio

ROO-beeoh/'ru.βjo/

adjectiveA1general
Use 'rubio' only when 'fair' refers to light-colored hair or complexion, meaning blond.
A close-up illustration of a thick, wavy braid of bright golden yellow hair.

Examples

Tiene el pelo rubio y los ojos azules.

She has fair/blond hair and blue eyes.

Mi hermana es pelirroja, pero mi hermano es rubio.

My sister is red-haired, but my brother is blond.

Necesitas crema solar si tienes la piel rubia.

You need sunblock if you have fair skin.

Compró un tinte para el pelo de color rubio ceniza.

She bought an ash blond hair dye.

Changing for Gender

As an adjective, 'rubio' must match the gender of the person or thing it describes. Use 'rubia' when describing a female person or a feminine noun (e.g., 'la camisa rubia').

Forgetting Gender Agreement

Mistake: “Mi amiga es rubio.”

Correction: Mi amiga es rubia. (The adjective must end in -a because 'amiga' is feminine.)

Fairness vs. Events

The most common mistake is confusing 'justo' (fairness/justice) with 'feria' or 'festival' (public events). Remember, if you're talking about impartiality or equality, use 'justo'. If you mean a public celebration or market, use 'feria' or 'festival'.

Related Translations

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