Inklingo

How to Say "quality" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “quality” is “calidad” — use 'calidad' to refer to the general standard of excellence of an item or service, often relating to its manufacturing or performance.

calidad🔊A2

Use 'calidad' to refer to the general standard of excellence of an item or service, often relating to its manufacturing or performance.

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cualidad🔊A2

Use 'cualidad' when referring to a positive character trait, virtue, or inherent personal characteristic.

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característicaA2

Use 'característica' to denote a specific, identifying property or attribute of something or someone.

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atributo🔊B1

Use 'atributo' for a characteristic or feature that is considered an inherent part of something or someone.

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virtud🔊B1

Use 'virtud' to describe a positive characteristic or a beneficial feature, especially one that makes something admirable or useful.

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rasgo🔊B1

Use 'rasgo' to refer to a distinguishing property, feature, or characteristic, often used for physical traits.

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bondad🔊B2

Use 'bondad' when referring to the intrinsic worth or excellence of an object, focusing on its inherent goodness or superiority.

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calibre🔊B2

Use 'calibre' to describe a high level of excellence, often used for people or their skills.

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factura🔊B2

Use 'factura' specifically when discussing the quality of workmanship or how something is made, especially in crafts or manufacturing.

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clase🔊B2

Use 'clase' when referring to a category of excellence, similar to 'first-class' or 'high-class'.

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propiedad🔊B2

Use 'propiedad' for an inherent, essential characteristic or attribute, often in a scientific or technical context.

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raza🔊C1

Use 'raza' to describe an inherent characteristic or quality, often used metaphorically for things like wine or animals, implying lineage or breed.

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English → Spanish

calidad

kah-lee-DADkaliˈðað

nounA2general
Use 'calidad' to refer to the general standard of excellence of an item or service, often relating to its manufacturing or performance.
A single, perfectly formed, bright red apple sitting on a simple wooden pedestal, highlighting its flawless quality and standard of excellence.

Examples

Esta tienda solo vende ropa de alta calidad.

This store only sells high-quality clothing.

El control de calidad es muy estricto en esta fábrica.

Quality control is very strict in this factory.

La calidad de vida en la ciudad ha mejorado mucho.

The quality of life in the city has improved a lot.

Always Feminine

Remember to use feminine articles and adjectives with 'calidad': 'la calidad excelente' (the excellent quality).

Calidad vs. Cualidad

Mistake: “Using 'cualidad' when referring to the standard of a product.”

Correction: Use 'calidad' (the standard of goodness). 'Cualidad' means a specific trait or characteristic (e.g., patience is a cualidad).

cualidad

kwah-lee-dahdkwa.liˈðað

nounA2general
Use 'cualidad' when referring to a positive character trait, virtue, or inherent personal characteristic.
A simple illustration of a person sharing a bright red apple with a smiling friend to show kindness.

Examples

La paciencia es su mejor cualidad.

Patience is her best quality.

Buscamos a un candidato con cualidades de liderazgo.

We are looking for a candidate with leadership qualities.

Esta madera tiene la cualidad de ser muy resistente al agua.

This wood has the quality of being very water-resistant.

Always Feminine

In Spanish, words that end in '-dad' (like cualidad, felicidad, or ciudad) are always feminine. You should always use 'la' or 'una' with them.

Plural Form

To make this word plural, just add '-es' to the end: 'las cualidades'.

Cualidad vs. Calidad

Mistake: “Using 'cualidad' to talk about the 'high quality' of a product.”

Correction: Use 'calidad' for the standard or excellence of a product (e.g., 'ropa de alta calidad'). Use 'cualidad' only for characteristics or character traits.

característica

nounA2general
Use 'característica' to denote a specific, identifying property or attribute of something or someone.

Examples

El color rojo es una característica de esta fruta.

The color red is a characteristic of this fruit.

atributo

ah-tree-BOO-toha.tɾi.ˈβu.to

nounB1general
Use 'atributo' for a characteristic or feature that is considered an inherent part of something or someone.
A bright red apple showing its smooth skin and round shape as distinct qualities.

Examples

La paciencia es su mejor atributo.

Patience is her best quality.

El liderazgo es un atributo esencial para este trabajo.

Leadership is an essential attribute for this job.

Los historiadores analizan cada atributo de la estatua.

Historians analyze every feature of the statue.

Gender and Number

Even if the quality you are describing is feminine (like 'paciencia'), the word 'atributo' remains masculine. You say: 'La paciencia es un atributo'.

Confusing with the Verb

Mistake: “Using 'yo atributo' to mean 'I attribute'.”

Correction: The verb is 'atribuir'. To say 'I attribute', use 'yo atribuyo'.

virtud

beer-TOODbiɾˈtuð

nounB1general
Use 'virtud' to describe a positive characteristic or a beneficial feature, especially one that makes something admirable or useful.
A bright, juicy red apple standing out among several dull grey rocks.

Examples

La principal virtud de este coche es su bajo consumo.

The main quality of this car is its low fuel consumption.

Ese plan tiene la virtud de ser muy simple.

That plan has the advantage of being very simple.

rasgo

RAHS-goˈrasɡo

nounB1general
Use 'rasgo' to refer to a distinguishing property, feature, or characteristic, often used for physical traits.
A close-up of a smiling face highlighting a prominent dimple on the cheek.

Examples

Sus rasgos faciales son muy marcados.

His facial features are very prominent.

La honestidad es su rasgo más admirable.

Honesty is her most admirable trait.

Podemos identificar este estilo por sus rasgos minimalistas.

We can identify this style by its minimalist characteristics.

Always Masculine

Even if you are describing a woman's features, the word 'rasgo' remains masculine. You would say 'un rasgo de ella' (a trait of hers).

Describing People

When talking about how someone looks, use the plural 'rasgos' to refer to their overall appearance or 'features'.

Don't confuse with 'Rastro'

Mistake: “Seguimos el rasgo de sangre.”

Correction: Seguimos el rastro de sangre. (Use 'rastro' for a trail/trace and 'rasgo' for a characteristic).

bondad

bohn-DAHDbonˈdad

nounB2general
Use 'bondad' when referring to the intrinsic worth or excellence of an object, focusing on its inherent goodness or superiority.
A high quality simple colorful storybook illustration of a single, perfectly ripe, flawless red apple shining brightly on a simple surface, symbolizing intrinsic quality or excellence.

Examples

La bondad del material asegura su larga vida útil.

The quality of the material ensures its long useful life.

Los expertos analizaron la bondad de la propuesta antes de aprobarla.

The experts analyzed the merit of the proposal before approving it.

Formal Usage

In this sense, 'bondad' is often used in official documents, technical reports, or academic writing instead of the more common 'calidad' (quality).

calibre

kah-LEE-braykaˈli.βɾe

nounB2formal
Use 'calibre' to describe a high level of excellence, often used for people or their skills.
A single, flawless, highly polished golden trophy cup resting on a simple, illuminated pedestal, symbolizing high quality and excellence.

Examples

Necesitamos contratar a un profesional de alto calibre para liderar el equipo.

We need to hire a professional of high caliber (high quality) to lead the team.

La crisis fue de un calibre que nadie había anticipado.

The crisis was of a magnitude that no one had anticipated.

Figurative Use

When used figuratively, 'calibre' usually follows 'de' (of) to describe the quality or level of a person or situation.

Confusing Quality and Size

Mistake: “Usar 'calibre grande' para decir 'great quality'.”

Correction: Use 'alto calibre' or 'gran calibre' when talking about quality, not 'calibre grande' (which sounds like physical size).

factura

fak-TOO-rafakˈtu.ɾa

nounB2specific
Use 'factura' specifically when discussing the quality of workmanship or how something is made, especially in crafts or manufacturing.
A close-up view of a wooden object's corner, showing precise, tightly fitted joinery and a smooth, polished finish, emphasizing quality.

Examples

La factura de esta mesa es excelente; se nota el trabajo artesanal.

The workmanship of this table is excellent; you can tell it's handcrafted.

Su última novela tiene una factura literaria impresionante.

His latest novel has an impressive literary make/quality.

Figurative Use

This meaning extends the idea of 'making' something (like an invoice) to describe the quality of construction or execution of an object, artwork, or piece of writing.

clase

KLAH-sehˈklase

nounB2general
Use 'clase' when referring to a category of excellence, similar to 'first-class' or 'high-class'.
A very elegantly dressed person wearing a perfectly tailored suit and sophisticated scarf, standing confidently with excellent posture, symbolizing high quality and class.

Examples

La película explora las diferencias entre la clase alta y la clase trabajadora.

The movie explores the differences between the upper class and the working class.

Es una mujer con mucha clase y elegancia.

She is a woman with a lot of class and elegance.

Nos alojamos en un hotel de primera clase.

We are staying in a first-class hotel.

propiedad

proh-pee-eh-DAHDpɾo.pjeˈðað

nounB2specific
Use 'propiedad' for an inherent, essential characteristic or attribute, often in a scientific or technical context.
A crystal-clear glass marble resting on a wooden table, emphasizing its transparency.

Examples

Una de las propiedades del agua es que hierve a 100 grados Celsius.

One of the properties of water is that it boils at 100 degrees Celsius.

Esta hierba tiene propiedades medicinales increíbles.

This herb has incredible medicinal properties.

Estudiamos las propiedades físicas y químicas de la roca.

We studied the physical and chemical properties of the rock.

raza

RAH-sahˈraθa

nounC1specific
Use 'raza' to describe an inherent characteristic or quality, often used metaphorically for things like wine or animals, implying lineage or breed.
A simple storybook illustration showing three stylized figures of descending size, representing a grandparent, parent, and child, connected by a stylized root structure at their base, symbolizing lineage.

Examples

Ese vino tiene una raza excelente; es de la mejor cosecha.

That wine has an excellent quality/character; it's from the best harvest.

Demostró la raza de un verdadero campeón al no rendirse.

He showed the mettle (lineage/quality) of a true champion by not giving up.

'Cualidad' vs. 'Calidad'

The most common mistake is confusing 'cualidad' and 'calidad'. Remember that 'cualidad' refers to a personal trait or virtue, while 'calidad' refers to the standard of excellence of an object or service.

Related Translations

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