Inklingo

How to Say "option" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “option” is “opción” — use 'opción' when referring to a choice that is available or a specific possibility you can select from..

English → Spanish

opción

nounA1general
Use 'opción' when referring to a choice that is available or a specific possibility you can select from.

Examples

Solo tenemos una opción: empezar de nuevo.

We only have one option: start over.

alternativa

ahl-tehr-na-TEE-vah/al.teɾ.naˈti.βa/

nounA2general
Use 'alternativa' when there are no other choices or when presenting a different course of action that must be taken.
A storybook illustration showing a fork in a road, with one path leading left towards a bright red apple on a pedestal and the other path leading right towards a bright blue pear on a pedestal, representing a choice.

Examples

No tenemos otra alternativa, debemos empezar de nuevo.

We don't have another alternative; we must start again.

Ofrecieron una alternativa ecológica para el transporte.

They offered an ecological option for transportation.

Siempre hay una alternativa si buscas con calma.

There is always a choice if you look calmly.

Using 'otra'

When you want to say 'another alternative,' you use 'otra alternativa.' Remember, 'alternativa' is feminine, so you need the feminine form of 'other'.

Gender confusion

Mistake: “El alternativa”

Correction: La alternativa. Although it ends in '-a', learners sometimes forget this is a feminine noun and must use 'la' or 'una'.

elección

nounA2general
Use 'elección' to refer to the act or result of choosing between different possibilities.

Examples

Tienes que hacer una elección antes de las tres.

You have to make a choice before three o'clock.

posibilidad

/poh-see-bee-lee-DAHD//posiβiliˈðað/

nounA2general
Use 'posibilidad' when referring to a chance or a potential outcome, often implying uncertainty.
A tiny brown seed rests in dark, rich soil. Directly above the seed, a faint, glowing outline of a large, fully grown green tree symbolizes the potential held within.

Examples

¿Hay alguna posibilidad de que vengas mañana?

Is there any possibility that you will come tomorrow?

Exploramos todas las posibilidades antes de decidir la ruta.

We explored all the possibilities before deciding the route.

La posibilidad de que gane la lotería es remota, pero existe.

The chance that I win the lottery is remote, but it exists.

Using 'de'

Use the small word 'de' (of) to connect 'posibilidad' to the action or thing being discussed: 'la posibilidad de viajar' (the possibility of traveling).

Feminine Noun Rule

Remember that almost all Spanish words ending in -dad, like 'posibilidad,' are feminine and take the article 'la' or 'una'.

Gender Error

Mistake: “El posibilidad de ir...”

Correction: La posibilidad de ir... 'Posibilidad' is always feminine.

Subjunctive Following Uncertainty

Mistake: “Hay una posibilidad que llueve.”

Correction: Hay una posibilidad de que llueva. When expressing possibility or uncertainty, the following verb often uses a special form (the subjunctive, used here as 'llueva').

remedio

reh-MEH-dyoh/reˈmeðjo/

nounB2general
Use 'remedio' in negative constructions to mean 'no other choice' or 'nothing else to be done'.
A small person standing on a narrow dirt path with high, solid, impassable rock walls on both sides, showing that there is only one way to move forward.

Examples

No hay más remedio que esperar aquí hasta que abra el banco.

There is no choice but to wait here until the bank opens.

Si el autobús no viene, no hay remedio, tendremos que caminar.

If the bus doesn't come, there's no way around it, we'll have to walk.

Su comportamiento es tan malo que ya no tiene remedio.

His behavior is so bad that he is beyond fixing (or hopeless).

Structure with 'Que'

When you use 'No hay más remedio' to talk about an action, you usually follow it with 'que' and the base form of the verb: 'No hay más remedio QUE ir'.

opción

nounB2financial
Use this specific meaning of 'opción' in a financial context, referring to the right to buy or sell an asset at a certain price.

Examples

El acuerdo incluye una opción de compra prioritaria sobre las acciones.

The agreement includes a priority purchase option on the shares.

Choosing between 'opción' and 'alternativa'

Learners often confuse 'opción' and 'alternativa'. Remember that 'opción' is a general choice available, while 'alternativa' implies a lack of other choices or a distinct, often necessary, different path.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.