How to Say "upright" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “upright” is “honesto” — use 'honesto' to describe someone's general character as truthful and not deceitful, a very common and basic term.
honesto
oh-NES-tohoˈnesto
Examples
Mi hermano es muy honesto y nunca miente.
My brother is very honest and never lies.
¿Puedes darme tu opinión honesta sobre este vestido?
Can you give me your honest opinion on this dress?
Necesitamos un gobierno honesto que trabaje para el pueblo.
We need an honest government that works for the people.
Gender and Number
Since 'honesto' is a describing word, it must match the noun it describes in gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural): 'un hombre honesto,' 'una mujer honesta,' 'unos chicos honestos,' 'unas chicas honestas'.
Using ESTAR instead of SER
Mistake: “Soy honesto (I am honest) vs. Estoy honesto (Incorrect).”
Correction: Always use 'ser' (Soy, Eres, Es, etc.) with 'honesto' because honesty is considered a permanent part of someone's character, not a temporary mood or state.
recto
REK-tohˈrek.to
Examples
Es un hombre recto y siempre cumple su palabra.
He is an upright man and always keeps his word.
Buscamos un líder con un carácter recto y principios firmes.
We are looking for a leader with an honest character and firm principles.
Permanent Quality
When describing permanent moral qualities, 'recto' is always used with the verb 'ser' (to be) because it defines the person's nature.
vertical
ber-tee-KAHLbeɾ.tiˈkal
Examples
Dibuja una línea vertical en el papel.
Draw a vertical line on the paper.
El despegue del cohete fue totalmente vertical.
The rocket's takeoff was completely vertical.
Esta empresa tiene una estructura muy vertical.
This company has a very top-down (vertical) structure.
One word for both genders
In Spanish, words ending in 'l' like 'vertical' don't change for boys or girls. You can use it for 'el muro' (the wall) or 'la pared' (the wall) exactly the same way.
Making it plural
Since this word ends in a consonant, you just add '-es' to make it plural: 'las líneas verticales'.
Don't add -o or -a
Mistake: “La línea verticala.”
Correction: La línea vertical. In Spanish, 'vertical' stays the same for both masculine and feminine things.
derecho
deh-REH-chohdeˈɾe.t͡ʃo
Examples
Siéntate derecho.
Sit up straight.
Traza una línea derecha con la regla.
Draw a straight line with the ruler.
Siéntate derecho en la silla para no lastimarte la espalda.
Sit up straight in the chair so you don't hurt your back.
Mi hermano tiene el pelo muy derecho.
My brother has very straight hair.
'Derecho' vs. 'Recto'
Mistake: “Using 'derecho' and 'recto' as if they are perfectly interchangeable.”
Correction: 'Recto' is more for geometry and precise lines. 'Derecho' is more common for general straightness, like hair or posture. For directions, you almost always use 'derecho'.
levantado
leh-vahn-TAH-dohle.βanˈta.ðo
Examples
El puente móvil está levantado para que pasen los barcos.
The drawbridge is raised so the boats can pass.
Tiene el cuello levantado por el frío.
He has his collar turned up because of the cold.
Agreeing the Adjective
Like all Spanish adjectives, 'levantado' must match the thing it describes in both gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural): 'la mano levantada', 'los brazos levantados'.
Using 'Ser' vs. 'Estar'
Mistake: “Using 'ser' (El puente es levantado) when describing a temporary state.”
Correction: Always use 'estar' (El puente está levantado) to describe the current position or state resulting from an action.
moral
moh-RAHLmoˈɾal
Examples
Tomar esa decisión fue un acto muy moral.
Making that decision was a very moral act.
Necesitamos un líder moral que nos guíe.
We need an ethical leader to guide us.
Su comportamiento siempre ha sido moralmente correcto.
His behavior has always been morally correct.
Adjective Form
As an adjective, 'moral' is one of those words that stays the same whether the thing you are describing is masculine ('el acto moral') or feminine ('la obligación moral').
Confusing Adjective and Noun
Mistake: “La persona tiene mucho moral.”
Correction: La persona es muy moral. (The person is very ethical.) The noun 'moral' usually means 'morale' or 'ethics,' not 'ethical person.'
noble
NO-blehˈnoβle
Examples
Fue un gesto muy noble de su parte ayudar a los más necesitados.
It was a very noble gesture on his part to help those most in need.
Mi perro es muy noble y nunca muerde a nadie.
My dog is very gentle/kind-hearted and never bites anyone.
Ella tiene un corazón noble; siempre perdona los errores de los demás.
She has a noble heart; she always forgives the mistakes of others.
Adjective Form
Since 'noble' ends in the letter -e, it is one of the adjectives that stays the same whether the noun it describes is masculine or feminine (e.g., 'el hombre noble' and 'la mujer noble').
honrado
ohn-RAH-dohonˈraðo
Examples
Mi abuelo era un sastre honrado que siempre cobraba un precio justo.
My grandfather was an honest tailor who always charged a fair price.
Necesitamos políticos honrados que digan la verdad.
We need honorable politicians who tell the truth.
Ella es una mujer honrada, puedes confiar en ella.
She is an honest woman, you can trust her.
Changing Endings
Like most Spanish adjectives, 'honrado' changes its ending to match the person or thing it describes: 'honrada' (feminine singular), 'honrados' (masculine plural), and 'honradas' (feminine plural).
Confusing 'Honesto' and 'Honrado'
Mistake: “Using 'honesto' only, when 'honrado' might be better.”
Correction: 'Honrado' often carries a stronger sense of integrity and respectability, especially regarding business or public life, while 'honesto' focuses more on simple truthfulness.
cabal
ka-BAHLkaˈβal
Examples
Mi abuelo siempre fue un hombre cabal y respetado por todos.
My grandfather was always an upright man and respected by everyone.
Necesitamos a alguien cabal para dirigir este proyecto tan importante.
We need someone sensible to lead this very important project.
Es una mujer cabal que nunca rompe sus promesas.
She is a woman of integrity who never breaks her promises.
One Form for All
This word is great because it doesn't change for masculine or feminine. You can say 'un hombre cabal' or 'una mujer cabal' without changing the ending.
Placement for Emphasis
While you usually put it after the noun, putting it before (like 'su cabal juicio') makes it sound very poetic and emphasizes the quality.
Don't confuse with 'Cable'
Mistake: “Using 'cabal' when you mean a television or electrical cable.”
Correction: Use 'cable' for wires. Use 'cabal' only to describe a person's character or something being complete.
pino
pee-noˈpino
Examples
La cuesta era muy pina y nos cansamos pronto.
The slope was very steep and we got tired quickly.
Subimos por un sendero muy pino.
We went up a very steep path.
Gender Agreement
As an adjective, it must change to 'pina' if the noun is feminine (e.g., 'una calle pina').
Moral vs. Physical Uprightness
Related Translations
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