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How to Say "sentences" in Spanish

English → Spanish

frases

/FRAH-sehs//ˈfɾases/

nounA1general
Use 'frases' when referring to a group of words that form a complete thought, often used in everyday conversation or writing.
A colorful storybook illustration showing an open book with several simple, distinct rows of colorful shapes representing organized lines of speech.

Examples

Me gusta la primera frase de este libro.

I like the first sentence of this book.

Tengo que escribir tres frases sobre mi familia.

I have to write three sentences about my family.

Me encantan las frases de esa película.

I love the quotes from that movie.

No entiendo las frases hechas en español.

I don't understand set phrases (idioms) in Spanish.

Plural Form

This is the plural of 'frase.' In Spanish, we add an 's' to words ending in a vowel to talk about more than one.

Matching the Article

Because 'frases' is a feminine plural word, you should use 'las' (the) or 'unas' (some) with it: 'las frases'.

Frase vs. Oración

Mistake: “Thinking 'frase' and 'oración' are exactly the same.”

Correction: While often used as synonyms for 'sentence,' a 'frase' can be any group of words (even a fragment), while 'oración' usually implies a full grammatical sentence with a verb.

oraciones

oh-rah-SYOH-ness/oɾaˈsjo.nes/

nounA1academic/grammar
Use 'oraciones' specifically in a grammatical or academic context when discussing the structure and rules of complete grammatical units.
A set of six colorful geometric shapes, such as squares and circles, arranged in a perfect straight line, symbolizing individual words forming a complete sentence.

Examples

El profesor nos pidió analizar cada oración del texto.

The teacher asked us to analyze each sentence in the text.

Necesitas escribir oraciones completas para que te entiendan bien.

You need to write complete sentences so that they understand you well.

El profesor nos pidió analizar las oraciones compuestas.

The professor asked us to analyze the complex sentences (sentences with multiple parts).

The Plural of 'Sentence'

This word is the plural form of the singular noun 'oración' (sentence). Remember the accent mark on the 'o' in the singular form.

Confusing Sentence and Word

Mistake: “Using 'palabras' (words) when you mean 'oraciones' (sentences).”

Correction: A sentence ('oración') expresses a complete idea; a word ('palabra') is just one piece of it.

penas

/PEH-nahs//ˈpenas/

nounB2legal
Use 'penas' exclusively when referring to punishments or sentences imposed by a legal system, such as prison time.
A heavy iron ball and chain resting on a stone floor.

Examples

La pena por ese crimen es de cinco años de cárcel.

The sentence for that crime is five years in jail.

El código establece penas muy estrictas para ese robo.

The code establishes very strict penalties for that robbery.

El juez redujo las penas de los acusados.

The judge reduced the defendants' sentences.

Frases vs. Oraciones

Learners often confuse 'frases' and 'oraciones' because both can refer to grammatical units. Remember that 'oraciones' is more technical and specific to grammar rules, while 'frases' is more general for complete thoughts or expressions.

Related Translations

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