Inklingo

How to Say "file" in Spanish

English → Spanish

archivo

ar-CHEE-voh/aɾˈtʃi.βo/

nounA1general
Use 'archivo' when referring to a digital document, a collection of data, or a physical folder containing records.
A simple illustration of a closed manila file folder resting on a wooden surface.

Examples

Guarda el archivo en la nube, por favor.

Save the file in the cloud, please.

El archivo de la universidad tiene documentos de hace cien años.

The university archive has documents from a hundred years ago.

Este archivo PDF está dañado.

This PDF file is damaged.

Gender Reminder

Remember that 'archivo' is always masculine, so you use 'el' or 'un' before it: 'el archivo' (the file).

Confusing 'Archivo' and 'Carpeta'

Mistake: “Using 'carpeta' when you mean a single digital document.”

Correction: 'Carpeta' is the container (folder); 'archivo' is the item inside (file).

historial

ee-stoh-ree-AHL/is.toˈɾjal/

nounB1general
Use 'historial' specifically for a 'case file' or to refer to a record of past events, like browsing history.
A simple, colorful illustration showing a winding, dotted line connecting three distinct digital icons representing a sequence of past online activities: a magnifying glass, a shopping cart, and a video camera.

Examples

Borré mi historial de navegación antes de prestar mi computadora.

I deleted my browsing history before lending my computer.

Necesitas enviar tu historial crediticio para solicitar el préstamo.

You need to submit your credit history/record to apply for the loan.

El historial médico de la paciente está en el sistema.

The patient's medical record is in the system.

Always Masculine

Even though 'historia' (history/story) is feminine, 'historial' is always masculine, so you must use 'el historial' or 'un historial'.

Historial vs. Historia

Mistake: “Using 'historia' when referring to a log or record of actions (e.g., *la historia de navegación*).”

Correction: Use 'historial' for lists of past data or activity (e.g., *el historial de navegación*). Use 'historia' for the academic subject, storytelling, or the general past of a country.

columna

koh-LOOM-nah/koˈlumna/

nounB1formal
Use 'columna' when referring to a vertical section in a table, spreadsheet, or a military formation.
Three distinct vertical stacks of simple, colorful geometric blocks, illustrating data organized in columns.

Examples

Suma los números de la tercera columna del informe.

Add up the numbers in the third column of the report.

Los soldados marchaban en una columna perfecta.

The soldiers were marching in a perfect column (file).

Column vs. Row

In data and spreadsheets, 'columna' is the vertical arrangement, while 'fila' is the horizontal arrangement (the row). Always remember: columns go up and down!

Archivo vs. Columna

The most frequent error learners make is using 'archivo' when they mean a 'column' in a table or report. Remember that 'archivo' refers to documents or records, while 'columna' refers to a vertical arrangement of items.

Related Translations

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