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How to Say "moral" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “moral” is “moral” — use 'moral' as an adjective when referring to something that is in accordance with principles of right and wrong behavior..

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moral

moh-RAHL/moˈɾal/

adjectiveA2general
Use 'moral' as an adjective when referring to something that is in accordance with principles of right and wrong behavior.
A split image showing a simple, cheerful person on the left gently placing a coin into a donation box (representing 'right'), and on the right, the same person frowning while taking a coin out of the box (representing 'wrong').

Examples

Su comportamiento no fue muy moral.

His behavior was not very moral.

Tomar esa decisión fue un acto muy moral.

Making that decision was a very moral act.

Necesitamos un líder moral que nos guíe.

We need an ethical leader to guide us.

Su comportamiento siempre ha sido moralmente correcto.

His behavior has always been morally correct.

Adjective Form

As an adjective, 'moral' is one of those words that stays the same whether the thing you are describing is masculine ('el acto moral') or feminine ('la obligación moral').

Abstract Noun

When referring to the general concept of right and wrong (morality), 'moral' acts as a feminine noun ('la moral').

Confusing Adjective and Noun

Mistake: “La persona tiene mucho moral.”

Correction: La persona es muy moral. (The person is very ethical.) The noun 'moral' usually means 'morale' or 'ethics,' not 'ethical person.'

moral

moh-RAHL/moˈɾal/

nounB2general
Use 'moral' as a noun when referring to the lesson or the point being taught by a story, fable, or event.
A split image showing a simple, cheerful person on the left gently placing a coin into a donation box (representing 'right'), and on the right, the same person frowning while taking a coin out of the box (representing 'wrong').

Examples

La moral de la fábula es que la honestidad es la mejor política.

The moral of the fable is that honesty is the best policy.

Tomar esa decisión fue un acto muy moral.

Making that decision was a very moral act.

Necesitamos un líder moral que nos guíe.

We need an ethical leader to guide us.

Su comportamiento siempre ha sido moralmente correcto.

His behavior has always been morally correct.

Adjective Form

As an adjective, 'moral' is one of those words that stays the same whether the thing you are describing is masculine ('el acto moral') or feminine ('la obligación moral').

Abstract Noun

When referring to the general concept of right and wrong (morality), 'moral' acts as a feminine noun ('la moral').

Confusing Adjective and Noun

Mistake: “La persona tiene mucho moral.”

Correction: La persona es muy moral. (The person is very ethical.) The noun 'moral' usually means 'morale' or 'ethics,' not 'ethical person.'

mensaje

/men-SA-heh//menˈsa.xe/

nounB1general
Use 'mensaje' when referring to the message or underlying meaning of a story, film, or piece of art, similar to the 'moral' of a story.
A friendly, wise owl perched on a stack of colorful books, looking thoughtfully at a glowing, simple golden star floating above its head, symbolizing a lesson.

Examples

El mensaje de la película es que nunca debes rendirte.

The moral of the movie is that you should never give up.

El director quería transmitir un mensaje de esperanza con su obra.

The director wanted to convey a message of hope with his work.

¿Cuál crees que es el mensaje oculto en la novela?

What do you think is the hidden message in the novel?

lección

nounB1general
Use 'lección' when the 'moral' is understood as a lesson learned from an experience or event, emphasizing the learning aspect.

Examples

Lo que pasó fue una gran lección de humildad.

What happened was a great lesson in humility.

ética

adjectiveA2general
Use 'ética' as an adjective when referring to something that is ethically sound or in accordance with professional or societal standards of conduct.

Examples

No fue una decisión ética.

It wasn't an ethical decision.

Moral vs. Lesson vs. Message

Learners often confuse 'moral', 'mensaje', and 'lección' when referring to the takeaway from a story. Remember that 'moral' (noun) and 'mensaje' are more direct translations for the point of a narrative, while 'lección' emphasizes the learning aspect from an experience.

Related Translations

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