Inklingo

How to Say "principles" in Spanish

English → Spanish

principios

/preen-SEE-pee-ohs//pɾinˈθipjos/

nounB1general
Use 'principios' when referring to moral or ethical standards that guide behavior or belief.
A sturdy, brightly lit lighthouse standing firmly on a rocky cliff, shining a strong beam of light over a calm, dark sea, symbolizing guidance.

Examples

Es un hombre de firmes principios.

He is a man of firm principles.

Su decisión va en contra de todos mis principios.

Their decision goes against all my values.

Debemos aprender los principios básicos de la programación.

We must learn the basic fundamentals of programming.

Always Plural for Ethics

When talking about a person’s moral code or values, 'principios' is almost always used in the plural form.

Confusing Singular and Plural Meanings

Mistake: “El principio de la física. (Using singular when referring to multiple fundamentals.)”

Correction: Los principios de la física. (Use plural when referring to the established rules of a system.)

valores

vah-LOH-rehs/baˈlo.ɾes/

nounB1general
Use 'valores' when talking about fundamental beliefs or ideals that are highly regarded, often in a personal or societal context.
A high quality simple colorful storybook illustration of perfectly balanced scales, with a glowing heart resting on one pan and a small, stylized book on the other, symbolizing fairness and ethical principles.

Examples

Para nosotros, el respeto y la honestidad son valores fundamentales.

For us, respect and honesty are fundamental values.

Es importante enseñar buenos valores a los niños desde pequeños.

It is important to teach good values to children from a young age.

Always Plural for Ethics

When talking about moral beliefs or principles, use 'valores' (plural). The singular 'valor' usually means 'courage' or a single numerical value.

bases

/BAH-ses//ˈbases/

nounA2general
Use 'bases' when referring to the underlying foundation, core ideas, or fundamental terms of something, like a contract or a theory.
A sturdy, wide stone foundation supporting the corners of a small, simple wooden house frame, illustrating underlying structure.

Examples

Necesitamos revisar las bases del contrato antes de firmar.

We need to review the foundations (or terms) of the contract before signing.

El corredor llegó a la segunda bases sin problema.

The runner reached second base without a problem.

La ciencia moderna se apoya en bases sólidas de investigación.

Modern science rests upon solid foundations of research.

Always Feminine Plural

Even though it ends in '-es', remember that 'bases' is the plural of 'la base' (feminine), so you must use feminine articles and adjectives with it (e.g., 'las bases fuertes').

Principles vs. Values vs. Bases

Learners often confuse 'principios' (moral rules) with 'valores' (fundamental beliefs). While related, 'principios' are about what's right or wrong, whereas 'valores' are about what's important. 'Bases' is distinct, referring to the groundwork or foundation of something.

Related Translations

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