Inklingo

How to Say "pact" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “pact” is “trato” — use 'trato' for an informal or personal agreement, often a 'deal' between individuals, especially when it involves a promise or exchange..

trato🔊A2

Use 'trato' for an informal or personal agreement, often a 'deal' between individuals, especially when it involves a promise or exchange.

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pacto🔊B1

Choose 'pacto' for a formal agreement, especially one with political or moral implications, like a non-aggression pact or a pact between allies.

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alianza🔊B1

Use 'alianza' when referring to a formal agreement between groups, organizations, or nations, often for mutual benefit or support, like an economic or military alliance.

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tratado🔊B2

Employ 'tratado' for a formal, written agreement between states or countries, typically concerning political, economic, or military matters, like a peace treaty or trade treaty.

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convención🔊C1

Use 'convención' for a formal agreement, typically an international one, that establishes rules or standards, often related to legal or ethical matters.

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English → Spanish

trato

/TRAH-toh//ˈtɾa.to/

nounA2informal
Use 'trato' for an informal or personal agreement, often a 'deal' between individuals, especially when it involves a promise or exchange.
Two figures shaking hands firmly over a small table, symbolizing a sealed agreement or deal.

Examples

Tenemos un trato. No le diré a nadie.

We have a deal. I won't tell anyone.

Cerraron el trato con un apretón de manos.

They sealed the deal with a handshake.

Parte del trato es que tú laves los platos.

Part of the agreement is that you wash the dishes.

pacto

PAK-toh/ˈpakto/

nounB1formal
Choose 'pacto' for a formal agreement, especially one with political or moral implications, like a non-aggression pact or a pact between allies.
A colorful illustration depicting two stylized hands firmly grasping each other in a handshake, symbolizing a formal agreement or pact.

Examples

Los dos países firmaron un pacto de no agresión.

The two countries signed a non-aggression pact (agreement).

Llegamos a un pacto para compartir los gastos de la casa.

We reached an agreement to share the household expenses.

Romper el pacto electoral tendrá consecuencias políticas graves.

Breaking the electoral agreement will have serious political consequences.

Gender Check

Remember that 'pacto' is a masculine noun, so it always uses the masculine article: 'el pacto' or 'un pacto'.

Pacto vs. Impacto

Mistake: “Using 'impacto' when you mean 'pacto'.”

Correction: They sound similar, but 'impacto' means 'impact' or 'shock,' while 'pacto' is a formal 'agreement' or 'deal'.

alianza

/a-lee-AHN-sah//aˈljansa/

nounB1formal
Use 'alianza' when referring to a formal agreement between groups, organizations, or nations, often for mutual benefit or support, like an economic or military alliance.
Two stylized figures, one wearing blue and one wearing red, shaking hands firmly in the center to symbolize a political agreement.

Examples

Los dos países formaron una alianza económica para comerciar mejor.

The two countries formed an economic alliance to trade better.

La alianza militar se disolvió después de la guerra.

The military alliance dissolved after the war.

Necesitamos crear una alianza fuerte entre todos los departamentos.

We need to create a strong coalition among all the departments.

Gender Check

Remember that 'alianza' is a feminine noun, so you must use feminine words like 'la' or 'una' before it: 'La alianza es importante'.

tratado

trah-TAH-doh/tɾaˈtaðo/

nounB2formal
Employ 'tratado' for a formal, written agreement between states or countries, typically concerning political, economic, or military matters, like a peace treaty or trade treaty.
Two diverse, stylized hands shaking firmly above a rolled-up scroll tied with a red ribbon, symbolizing a formal treaty between states.

Examples

Los dos países firmaron un tratado de comercio la semana pasada.

The two countries signed a trade treaty last week.

El profesor publicó un tratado sobre la filosofía moderna.

The professor published a treatise on modern philosophy.

Masculine Noun

Even though it ends in '-o', remember that 'tratado' is a masculine noun, so it always uses 'el' or 'un'.

convención

kohn-behn-SYOHN/kom.benˈθjon/

nounC1formal
Use 'convención' for a formal agreement, typically an international one, that establishes rules or standards, often related to legal or ethical matters.
Two stylized figures, representing different entities, sitting opposite each other at a table and formally signing a large, shared scroll or document, symbolizing an agreement or treaty.

Examples

El país ratificó la convención sobre los derechos del niño.

The country ratified the convention on the rights of the child.

Las cláusulas de la convención de Ginebra son obligatorias para todos los firmantes.

The clauses of the Geneva convention are mandatory for all signatories.

Trato vs. Pacto

Learners often confuse 'trato' and 'pacto'. Remember that 'trato' is usually a more casual, personal 'deal', while 'pacto' implies a more serious, often political or moral, agreement. Think of 'trato' for agreeing to do chores for allowance, and 'pacto' for allies agreeing not to attack each other.

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