Inklingo

How to Say "summary" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “summary” is “resumen” — use 'resumen' for a general summary of a meeting, report, book, or any spoken or written information.

resumen🔊A2

Use 'resumen' for a general summary of a meeting, report, book, or any spoken or written information.

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síntesisB1

Use 'síntesis' when you need a concise version or abstract of a longer text, idea, or discussion, emphasizing the synthesis of main points.

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sumario🔊B1

Use 'sumario' specifically for a brief statement of main points, often found at the beginning of a document (like a table of contents) or as a list of key information.

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extracto🔊B1

Use 'extracto' when referring to a shortened version of a text, especially when it's a literal excerpt or a concentrated essence, like an ingredient.

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recuento🔊B2

Use 'recuento' to describe a detailed account or review of events, often implying a chronological narration or a recounting of facts.

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breve🔊B2

Use 'breve' for a very concise written statement or official document, less common in everyday speech for a general summary.

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descripciónA1

While 'descripción' can mean a brief description, it's not the primary translation for 'summary' unless the focus is purely on describing something.

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English → Spanish

resumen

rre-soo-MENreˈsumen

nounA2General
Use 'resumen' for a general summary of a meeting, report, book, or any spoken or written information.
A very tall stack of colorful books standing next to a single, small, rolled-up parchment scroll tied with a red ribbon.

Examples

¿Puedes darme un resumen de la reunión de hoy?

Can you give me a summary of today's meeting?

El resumen del capítulo es muy útil para estudiar.

The chapter summary is very useful for studying.

El artículo científico incluye un resumen al inicio para que sepas de qué trata.

The scientific article includes an abstract at the beginning so you know what it is about.

Masculine Noun

Since 'resumen' is a masculine noun, always use 'el' (the) or 'un' (a/an) before it: 'el resumen', 'un resumen excelente'.

The Plural Form

Mistake: “Using 'resumens' instead of the correct plural form.”

Correction: The correct plural is 'resúmenes'. When adding '-es' to a word that ends in '-n' and has the stress on the last syllable, the written accent mark must be added to the syllable before the last one.

síntesis

nounB1General
Use 'síntesis' when you need a concise version or abstract of a longer text, idea, or discussion, emphasizing the synthesis of main points.

Examples

Por favor, haz una síntesis de la reunión.

Please, make a summary of the meeting.

sumario

soo-mah-ryohsuˈmaɾjo

nounB1Formal/Informal
Use 'sumario' specifically for a brief statement of main points, often found at the beginning of a document (like a table of contents) or as a list of key information.
A colorful storybook illustration of an open book showing a list of chapter titles on the left page.

Examples

Consulta el sumario para encontrar el número de página.

Check the table of contents to find the page number.

La revista incluye un sumario muy detallado en la primera página.

The magazine includes a very detailed table of contents on the first page.

Hizo un sumario de los temas tratados en la reunión.

He made a summary of the topics discussed in the meeting.

Fue un juicio sumario y sin garantías.

It was a summary trial without guarantees.

Using 'Sumario' vs. 'Resumen'

While both mean 'summary,' 'sumario' is more often used for a formal list or a table of contents, whereas 'resumen' is the general word for a recap.

Matching the Noun

As an adjective, this word must change its ending to 'sumaria' if the thing it describes is feminine (e.g., 'una ejecución sumaria').

Don't use for all summaries

Mistake: “If you are summarizing a movie to a friend, don't use 'sumario'.”

Correction: Use 'resumen' for informal recaps; 'sumario' is for structured documents.

extracto

ex-TRAK-toheksˈtɾakto

nounB1General
Use 'extracto' when referring to a shortened version of a text, especially when it's a literal excerpt or a concentrated essence, like an ingredient.
A small glass dropper bottle with a single drop of brown liquid falling into a bowl of water.

Examples

Necesitamos una cucharadita de extracto de vainilla.

We need a teaspoon of vanilla extract.

He leído un extracto de su nueva novela.

I have read an excerpt from her new novel.

El extracto del informe resume los puntos clave.

The summary of the report outlines the key points.

It's always masculine

Regardless of whether you are talking about vanilla or a book, 'extracto' is always a masculine noun, so use 'el' or 'un'.

Using 'de' for origin

Just like in English, we use 'de' (of/from) to say what the extract is made of or where it was taken from.

Extracto vs. Resumen

Mistake: “Using 'extracto' when you mean a school essay summary.”

Correction: Use 'resumen' for a general summary you wrote; use 'extracto' for a specific piece directly taken from the original text.

recuento

re-KWEN-tohreˈkwento

nounB2General
Use 'recuento' to describe a detailed account or review of events, often implying a chronological narration or a recounting of facts.
A simple drawing of a path with several distinct milestones, representing a review of past events.

Examples

El abuelo hizo un recuento de sus aventuras en el mar.

Grandfather gave a recount of his adventures at sea.

El artículo ofrece un recuento histórico de la ciudad.

The article offers a historical summary of the city.

Hazme un breve recuento de lo que pasó en la reunión.

Give me a brief summary of what happened in the meeting.

Abstract Meaning

In this context, 'recuento' doesn't involve numbers, but rather a list of events told in order.

Recuento vs. Cuento

Mistake: “Escribir un recuento de hadas.”

Correction: Escribir un cuento de hadas. Use 'cuento' for a fictional story and 'recuento' for a summary of real events that happened.

sumario

soo-mah-ryohsuˈmaɾjo

adjectiveB2Formal
Use the adjective 'sumario' to describe something done quickly, often without proper procedure or formality, like a swift judgment.
A colorful storybook illustration of an open book showing a list of chapter titles on the left page.

Examples

Fue un juicio sumario y sin garantías.

It was a summary trial without guarantees.

Consulta el sumario para encontrar el número de página.

Check the table of contents to find the page number.

La revista incluye un sumario muy detallado en la primera página.

The magazine includes a very detailed table of contents on the first page.

Hizo un sumario de los temas tratados en la reunión.

He made a summary of the topics discussed in the meeting.

Using 'Sumario' vs. 'Resumen'

While both mean 'summary,' 'sumario' is more often used for a formal list or a table of contents, whereas 'resumen' is the general word for a recap.

Matching the Noun

As an adjective, this word must change its ending to 'sumaria' if the thing it describes is feminine (e.g., 'una ejecución sumaria').

Don't use for all summaries

Mistake: “If you are summarizing a movie to a friend, don't use 'sumario'.”

Correction: Use 'resumen' for informal recaps; 'sumario' is for structured documents.

breve

breh-vehˈbɾeβe

nounB2Formal
Use 'breve' for a very concise written statement or official document, less common in everyday speech for a general summary.
A rolled-up parchment scroll tied with a red ribbon, secured by a large, ornate red wax seal.

Examples

El Vaticano publicó un breve para aclarar el dogma.

The Vatican published a Papal brief to clarify the dogma.

El juez solicitó un breve sobre el caso.

The judge requested a summary/brief on the case.

Masculine Noun

When referring to the religious document, 'breve' is a masculine noun ('el breve').

descripción

nounA1General
While 'descripción' can mean a brief description, it's not the primary translation for 'summary' unless the focus is purely on describing something.

Examples

Necesito una descripción clara del problema para poder ayudarte.

I need a clear description of the problem to be able to help you.

Resumen vs. Síntesis vs. Sumario

The most common confusion is between 'resumen', 'síntesis', and 'sumario'. Use 'resumen' for general summaries of information. 'Síntesis' implies creating a condensed version from multiple points, and 'sumario' usually refers to a list of main points or a table of contents.

Related Translations

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