How to Say "principal" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “principal” is “principales” — use this when referring to the main or most important things, reasons, or elements..
principales
/preen-see-PAH-lehs//pɾinsiˈpales/
Examples
Estas son las razones principales de mi decisión.
These are the main reasons for my decision.
Necesitamos enfocarnos en los problemas principales ahora.
We need to focus on the principal problems now.
Hay tres ingredientes principales en esta receta.
There are three major ingredients in this recipe.
Agreement is Key
Since 'principales' is plural, it must be used with plural nouns, whether they are masculine (los problemas principales) or feminine (las ideas principales).
One Form for Both Genders
Unlike many Spanish adjectives, 'principal' (and 'principales') uses the exact same form whether the noun is masculine or feminine.
Forgetting the Plural
Mistake: “Los problemas principal.”
Correction: Los problemas principales. Remember to match the '-es' ending to the plural noun.
principal
preen-see-PAHL/pɾinsiˈpal/
Examples
El principal de la escuela nos dio un discurso de bienvenida.
The school principal gave us a welcoming speech.
La principal de la universidad aprobó el nuevo proyecto.
The university director approved the new project.
La tasa de interés se aplica al principal del préstamo.
The interest rate is applied to the principal of the loan.
Al final del año, el inversor recuperó el principal de su inversión.
At the end of the year, the investor recovered the principal of his investment.
Identifying Gender
When 'principal' refers to a person, you use the article 'el' for a man and 'la' for a woman, even though the word 'principal' itself doesn't change: 'el principal' (male principal) / 'la principal' (female principal).
capital
kah-pee-TAHL/ka.piˈtal/
Examples
Necesitamos más capital para iniciar el proyecto.
We need more capital to start the project.
El capital humano es el recurso más valioso de la empresa.
Human capital is the company's most valuable resource.
La honestidad es una virtud capital en cualquier persona.
Honesty is a principal/essential virtue in any person.
Cometieron un error capital al ignorar los avisos.
They committed a fundamental error by ignoring the warnings.
Masculine Noun
When talking about money or wealth, 'capital' is masculine, so you must use 'el capital'.
Invariable Adjective
As an adjective meaning 'principal' or 'chief,' 'capital' does not change its ending to match the gender of the noun it describes (e.g., 'error capital' and 'virtud capital').
Confusing Gender
Mistake: “Usar 'la capital' para referirse a la inversión.”
Correction: Use 'el capital' (masculine) when talking about money or assets. 'La capital' means the city.
director
/dee-rek-TOR//di.ɾekˈtoɾ/
Examples
El director de la escuela dio un discurso.
The school principal gave a speech.
Hablé con la directora de Recursos Humanos.
I spoke with the Human Resources director.
Nuestro director general es muy joven.
Our CEO is very young.
Making it Feminine
This word changes for a woman. For a female director, you say 'la directora'. Remember to change 'el' to 'la' too!
`Director` vs. `Gerente`
Mistake: “Using `director` for a store manager.”
Correction: For a store, restaurant, or bank branch manager, it's more common to say 'el gerente'. 'Director' is usually for someone higher up, like the head of a whole company or a large department.
directora
dee-rek-TOH-rah/di.ɾekˈto.ɾa/
Examples
La directora de la empresa firmó el contrato.
The company director signed the contract.
Necesitamos hablar con la directora de la escuela sobre el horario.
We need to talk to the school principal about the schedule.
Mi hermana es la directora del departamento de marketing.
My sister is the director of the marketing department.
Feminine Role Titles
In Spanish, job titles often change form to match the person's gender. 'Directora' is the female form; 'director' is the male form.
Using the Masculine Form by Mistake
Mistake: “Hablé con el directora.”
Correction: Hablé con la directora. (Remember that the article 'la' must match the feminine noun 'directora'.)
primaria
pree-MAH-ree-ah/pɾiˈma.ɾja/
Examples
La razón primaria de su visita fue la salud.
The primary reason for her visit was health.
Necesitamos analizar la fuente primaria de información.
We need to analyze the primary source of information.
Esta es la función primaria de este órgano.
This is the primary function of this organ.
Agreement Matters
As an adjective, 'primaria' must match the gender and number of the noun it describes. Since this entry is for the feminine singular form, it pairs with feminine singular nouns (e.g., 'la función').
Using 'primaria' for masculine nouns
Mistake: “Decir 'el objetivo primaria'.”
Correction: The adjective must match: use 'el objetivo primario' (masculine form).
estelar
ess-teh-LAHR/esteˈlaɾ/
Examples
Ella consiguió el papel estelar en la nueva película.
She got the starring role in the new movie.
La invitada estelar de la noche fue la famosa cantante.
The star guest of the night was the famous singer.
Su desempeño en la final fue absolutamente estelar.
His performance in the final was absolutely brilliant (outstanding).
Adjective Agreement
Since 'estelar' ends in 'r', it stays the same whether the noun is masculine or feminine (el papel estelar, la invitada estelar). However, you must add '-es' for plural nouns: 'los papeles estelares'.
maestro
/mah-ESS-troh//maˈes.tɾo/
Examples
Necesitamos la llave maestra para abrir todas las puertas.
We need the master key to open all the doors.
El plan maestro detalla cada fase del proyecto.
The master plan details every phase of the project.
Esa es la viga maestra que soporta todo el techo.
That is the main beam that supports the whole roof.
Matching the Noun
When used like this, maestro is an adjective, so it must match the thing it describes. If the noun is feminine, it becomes maestra, like in llave maestra (key) or obra maestra (work of art).
Word Order
This adjective almost always comes right after the noun it's describing, like plan maestro or viga maestra.
principal
preen-see-PAHL/pɾinsiˈpal/
Examples
La tasa de interés se aplica al principal del préstamo.
The interest rate is applied to the principal of the loan.
El principal de la escuela nos dio un discurso de bienvenida.
The school principal gave us a welcoming speech.
La principal de la universidad aprobó el nuevo proyecto.
The university director approved the new project.
Al final del año, el inversor recuperó el principal de su inversión.
At the end of the year, the investor recovered the principal of his investment.
Identifying Gender
When 'principal' refers to a person, you use the article 'el' for a man and 'la' for a woman, even though the word 'principal' itself doesn't change: 'el principal' (male principal) / 'la principal' (female principal).
capital
kah-pee-TAHL/ka.piˈtal/
Examples
La honestidad es una virtud capital en cualquier persona.
Honesty is a principal/essential virtue in any person.
Necesitamos más capital para iniciar el proyecto.
We need more capital to start the project.
El capital humano es el recurso más valioso de la empresa.
Human capital is the company's most valuable resource.
Cometieron un error capital al ignorar los avisos.
They committed a fundamental error by ignoring the warnings.
Masculine Noun
When talking about money or wealth, 'capital' is masculine, so you must use 'el capital'.
Invariable Adjective
As an adjective meaning 'principal' or 'chief,' 'capital' does not change its ending to match the gender of the noun it describes (e.g., 'error capital' and 'virtud capital').
Confusing Gender
Mistake: “Usar 'la capital' para referirse a la inversión.”
Correction: Use 'el capital' (masculine) when talking about money or assets. 'La capital' means the city.
School Principal vs. Financial Principal
Related Translations
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