Inklingo

How to Say "related" in Spanish

English → Spanish

relacionado

reh-lah-syoh-NAH-doh/relaθjoˈnaðo/

AdjectiveA2General
Use 'relacionado' when things are directly connected or linked, often implying a cause-and-effect relationship or association.
A colorful illustration showing a blue square and a red circle linked together by a simple silver chain.

Examples

La falta de ejercicio está relacionado con el aumento de peso.

Lack of exercise is related to weight gain.

Este problema está directamente relacionado con la falta de agua.

This problem is directly related to the lack of water.

Todos los departamentos relacionados deben asistir a la reunión.

All the associated departments must attend the meeting.

Ella es familiar de mi jefe, pero no estamos relacionados profesionalmente.

She is a relative of my boss, but we are not professionally connected.

Adjective Agreement

Like many Spanish adjectives ending in -o, 'relacionado' must change its ending to match the thing it describes: femenino ('relacionada'), plural masculino ('relacionados'), or plural femenino ('relacionadas').

Forming Perfect Tenses

The form 'relacionado' is used with the verb 'haber' (to have) to create perfect tenses, which talk about finished actions: 'He relacionado' (I have related).

Relating to Others (Reflexive)

The full verb 'relacionar' is often used with 'se' (relacionarse) to mean 'to socialize' or 'to interact with others': 'Me relaciono bien con mis colegas' (I socialize well with my colleagues).

Mixing up 'ser' and 'estar'

Mistake: “Ser relacionado (Incorrect usage for connection)”

Correction: Estar relacionado (Use 'estar' because being related is often seen as a temporary or circumstantial state or outcome of an action.)

pariente

pah-ree-EN-tay/paˈɾjente/

AdjectiveB1General
Use 'pariente' when describing things that are similar in nature or share a common characteristic, like being from the same category or type.
A vibrant illustration showing a perfectly round red apple placed next to a perfectly round green apple, highlighting their similar nature.

Examples

El cambio climático es pariente de la deforestación.

Climate change is related to deforestation.

La crisis económica es pariente de la inestabilidad política.

The economic crisis is related to political instability.

Estos dos idiomas son parientes cercanos, por eso se parecen tanto.

These two languages are close relatives (related), that's why they are so similar.

Using 'Ser' or 'Estar'

When used as an adjective, 'pariente' almost always goes with the verb 'ser' (to be) to describe an inherent connection or relationship between two things.

contado

/kon-TAH-doh//konˈtaðo/

AdjectiveA2General
Use 'contado' primarily when referring to a story or tale that has been told or recounted.
A single adult hand pointing at a small, neat row of five colorful wooden blocks, illustrating the action of counting or tallying.

Examples

Esa es la versión contada por el testigo.

That is the version related by the witness.

Necesito saber si el dinero está contado.

I need to know if the money has been counted.

Esa es una historia muy contada en mi familia.

That is a very often-told story in my family.

Participle Agreement

When 'contado' is used as an adjective (not part of a perfect tense with 'haber'), it must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes: 'la historia contada' (f.) or 'los días contados' (m. plural).

Relacionado vs. Pariente

Learners often confuse 'relacionado' and 'pariente'. Remember that 'relacionado' implies a direct link or connection, while 'pariente' suggests similarity in nature or category, but not necessarily a direct causal link.

Related Translations

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