Inklingo

How to Say "performance" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word forperformanceis rendimientouse this word when discussing the quality of work or activity produced by a person, team, or machine, often related to efficiency or output.

rendimiento🔊B1

Use this word when discussing the quality of work or activity produced by a person, team, or machine, often related to efficiency or output.

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desempeñoB1

Choose this when referring to how well someone or something performs in a specific role or task, such as in work, school, or mechanical contexts.

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actuaciónB1

This is the go-to word for an artistic display, a show, or the act of performing on stage, like a play or a musical number.

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funcionamiento🔊B1

Use this to describe how well a machine, system, or application is running or operating.

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funciónB1

This term refers to a specific show or screening, particularly in a theater or cinema context.

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comportamiento🔊A2

This translates to 'behavior' and is used for how a person or an animal acts, or how a system or machine behaves.

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espectáculoA2

Use this word for a public show or entertainment event, like a circus, concert, or stage production.

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ejecuciónB2

This refers to the skillful carrying out or completion of a task, a piece of music, or an artistic work.

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interpretaciónB2

This is used specifically when referring to the way an actor plays a role or a musician plays a piece of music.

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prestaciónB2

This term relates to the capabilities or efficiency of a product, especially in technical or mechanical terms, like a car's features.

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representaciónB2

Use this when talking about a theatrical show, a play, or a staged presentation.

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aprovechamiento🔊B2

This refers to how effectively someone utilizes or benefits from something, particularly in an academic or learning context.

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celebraciónB1

While often meaning 'celebration,' it can refer to the formal holding or carrying out of a rite, agreement, or ritual.

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ejercicio🔊B2

This word means 'exercise' and can refer to the act of carrying out a right, a duty, or an action.

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English → Spanish

rendimiento

ren-dee-myehn-tohren.diˈmjen.to

nounB1general
Use this word when discussing the quality of work or activity produced by a person, team, or machine, often related to efficiency or output.
A high-performance sports car speeding smoothly along a winding road.

Examples

El rendimiento del equipo ha mejorado mucho este mes.

The team's performance has improved a lot this month.

Este motor tiene un rendimiento muy alto y gasta poca gasolina.

This engine has very high efficiency and uses little gas.

El bajo rendimiento escolar a veces se debe al cansancio.

Poor school performance is sometimes due to tiredness.

Using 'de' for possession

To say 'the performance of [something]', always use 'el rendimiento de...'. For example: 'el rendimiento de la batería' (the battery's performance).

Always Masculine

Regardless of who or what you are talking about, this word is always masculine. Even if you're talking about a woman's performance, use 'el rendimiento'.

Performance as a show

Mistake:Using 'rendimiento' to mean a theater performance.

Correction: Use 'actuación' or 'función' for theater. 'Rendimiento' is only for efficiency or how well a task is done.

desempeño

nounB1general
Choose this when referring to how well someone or something performs in a specific role or task, such as in work, school, or mechanical contexts.

Examples

Su desempeño en la escuela ha mejorado mucho este mes.

Their performance in school has improved a lot this month.

actuación

nounB1artistic, general
This is the go-to word for an artistic display, a show, or the act of performing on stage, like a play or a musical number.

Examples

La actuación de la bailarina fue la mejor parte del festival.

The dancer's performance was the best part of the festival.

funcionamiento

foon-syon-ah-MYEN-tohfunsjo.naˈmjento

nounB1technical, general
Use this to describe how well a machine, system, or application is running or operating.
A colorful illustration of large interlocking gears turning together smoothly inside a machine.

Examples

El funcionamiento de la aplicación es muy intuitivo.

The operation of the app is very intuitive.

Debemos revisar el buen funcionamiento del motor.

We must check that the engine is working properly.

Pusieron el nuevo plan en funcionamiento ayer.

They put the new plan into operation yesterday.

Making Nouns from Verbs

This word is the 'thing' version of the verb 'funcionar' (to work/function). By adding the ending '-miento,' we turn the action into a name for the process itself.

Working vs. Functioning

Mistake:Using 'trabajamiento' to talk about a machine.

Correction: Use 'funcionamiento.' In Spanish, 'trabajo' is for people's jobs, while 'funcionamiento' is for how things or systems operate.

función

nounB1entertainment
This term refers to a specific show or screening, particularly in a theater or cinema context.

Examples

Fuimos a la última función del cine a las diez de la noche.

We went to the last movie screening at ten o'clock at night.

comportamiento

kom-por-tah-myen-tokompoɾtaˈmjento

nounA2general
This translates to 'behavior' and is used for how a person or an animal acts, or how a system or machine behaves.
A simple colorful storybook illustration showing one child politely handing a bright red toy block to another child, symbolizing good conduct.

Examples

El comportamiento del niño en la escuela fue excelente.

The child's behavior at school was excellent.

Estudiamos el comportamiento de los animales en su hábitat natural.

We study the behavior of animals in their natural habitat.

Su mal comportamiento resultó en una advertencia.

His bad conduct resulted in a warning.

Always Masculine

Since 'comportamiento' ends in '-miento,' it is always a masculine noun. You must use masculine articles and adjectives with it (e.g., 'el comportamiento,' 'un comportamiento extraño').

Gender Confusion

Mistake:La comportamiento

Correction: El comportamiento. Remember, nouns ending in -miento are almost always masculine, so always use 'el' or 'un'.

espectáculo

nounA2entertainment
Use this word for a public show or entertainment event, like a circus, concert, or stage production.

Examples

El espectáculo de circo fue increíble, especialmente los acróbatas.

The circus show was incredible, especially the acrobats.

ejecución

nounB2general, artistic
This refers to the skillful carrying out or completion of a task, a piece of music, or an artistic work.

Examples

La ejecución del pianista fue impecable, sin un solo error.

The performance of the pianist was flawless, without a single error.

interpretación

nounB2artistic
This is used specifically when referring to the way an actor plays a role or a musician plays a piece of music.

Examples

Su interpretación de Hamlet fue premiada por la crítica.

His performance of Hamlet was praised by critics.

prestación

nounB2technical, commercial
This term relates to the capabilities or efficiency of a product, especially in technical or mechanical terms, like a car's features.

Examples

Este coche tiene unas prestaciones increíbles en carretera.

This car has incredible performance on the road.

representación

nounB2theatrical
Use this when talking about a theatrical show, a play, or a staged presentation.

Examples

La representación teatral fue impresionante.

The theatrical performance was impressive.

aprovechamiento

ah-pro-beh-chah-myehn-tohapɾoβetʃaˈmjento

nounB2academic
This refers to how effectively someone utilizes or benefits from something, particularly in an academic or learning context.
A student looking proud as they add a gold star to their colorful chart.

Examples

Recibió un diploma por su buen aprovechamiento escolar.

He received a diploma for his good academic progress.

El profesor evalúa el aprovechamiento de los alumnos cada mes.

The teacher evaluates the students' performance every month.

Para obtener el certificado, se requiere un alto nivel de aprovechamiento.

To obtain the certificate, a high level of achievement is required.

Abstract Progress

In an academic sense, this word describes the 'amount' of knowledge a student has successfully 'taken in' from a course.

Not just 'grades'

Mistake:Thinking 'aprovechamiento' only refers to the final grade.

Correction: It refers to the overall process of learning and making the most of the educational opportunity.

celebración

nounB1formal, legal
While often meaning 'celebration,' it can refer to the formal holding or carrying out of a rite, agreement, or ritual.

Examples

La celebración del contrato se retrasó hasta el martes.

The signing (holding) of the contract was delayed until Tuesday.

ejercicio

eh-hehr-SEE-seeohe.xerˈsi.sjo

nounB2legal, general
This word means 'exercise' and can refer to the act of carrying out a right, a duty, or an action.
A colorful storybook illustration showing a hand dropping a folded blue piece of paper into a simple wooden ballot box with a slit on top, representing the exercise of a right or duty.

Examples

El ejercicio de la libertad de expresión está protegido por la ley.

The exercise of freedom of speech is protected by law.

Ella comenzó el ejercicio de su profesión en 2020.

She began the practice of her profession in 2020.

Formal Construction

In this formal sense, 'ejercicio' is almost always followed by the preposition 'de' and then a specific abstract noun (e.g., 'el ejercicio de la autoridad').

Performance vs. Functioning

A common pitfall is confusing 'rendimiento' or 'desempeño' (how well a person or thing works) with 'funcionamiento' (how well a system or machine is running). Think of 'rendimiento' and 'desempeño' for output and efficiency, and 'funcionamiento' for operational status.

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