Inklingo

How to Say "values" in Spanish

English → Spanish

valores

vah-LOH-rehs/baˈlo.ɾes/

nounB1general
Use this word when referring to ethical principles, virtues, or deeply held beliefs that guide behavior and are considered important within a group or society.
A high quality simple colorful storybook illustration of perfectly balanced scales, with a glowing heart resting on one pan and a small, stylized book on the other, symbolizing fairness and ethical principles.

Examples

Para nosotros, el respeto y la honestidad son valores fundamentales.

For us, respect and honesty are fundamental values.

Es importante enseñar buenos valores a los niños desde pequeños.

It is important to teach good values to children from a young age.

Necesitamos revisar los valores de la tabla antes de la reunión.

We need to review the values in the table before the meeting.

Los valores de las casas han aumentado en esta zona.

The prices (or values) of the houses have increased in this area.

Always Plural for Ethics

When talking about moral beliefs or principles, use 'valores' (plural). The singular 'valor' usually means 'courage' or a single numerical value.

General Plural of Worth

This meaning is the simple plural of 'valor' when it means 'worth,' 'price,' or 'numerical amount.' It is used just like the plural 'values' in English.

valores

vah-LOH-rehs/baˈlo.ɾes/

nounB1general
Use this word when referring to specific numerical, statistical, or monetary amounts, often found in data, tables, or calculations.
A high quality simple colorful storybook illustration of perfectly balanced scales, with a glowing heart resting on one pan and a small, stylized book on the other, symbolizing fairness and ethical principles.

Examples

Necesitamos revisar los valores de la tabla antes de la reunión.

We need to review the values in the table before the meeting.

Para nosotros, el respeto y la honestidad son valores fundamentales.

For us, respect and honesty are fundamental values.

Es importante enseñar buenos valores a los niños desde pequeños.

It is important to teach good values to children from a young age.

Los valores de las casas han aumentado en esta zona.

The prices (or values) of the houses have increased in this area.

Always Plural for Ethics

When talking about moral beliefs or principles, use 'valores' (plural). The singular 'valor' usually means 'courage' or a single numerical value.

General Plural of Worth

This meaning is the simple plural of 'valor' when it means 'worth,' 'price,' or 'numerical amount.' It is used just like the plural 'values' in English.

principios

/preen-SEE-pee-ohs//pɾinˈθipjos/

nounB1general
Use this word when referring to personal beliefs or a code of conduct that someone adheres to, often implying a more personal or philosophical stance than 'valores'.
A sturdy, brightly lit lighthouse standing firmly on a rocky cliff, shining a strong beam of light over a calm, dark sea, symbolizing guidance.

Examples

Es un hombre de firmes principios.

He is a man of firm principles.

Su decisión va en contra de todos mis principios.

Their decision goes against all my values.

Debemos aprender los principios básicos de la programación.

We must learn the basic fundamentals of programming.

Always Plural for Ethics

When talking about a person’s moral code or values, 'principios' is almost always used in the plural form.

Confusing Singular and Plural Meanings

Mistake: “El principio de la física. (Using singular when referring to multiple fundamentals.)”

Correction: Los principios de la física. (Use plural when referring to the established rules of a system.)

tasa

/TAH-sah//ˈtasa/

verbC1formal
Use this word when the English 'values' is used as a verb meaning to estimate or set a price or worth for something.
An expert looking at a sparkling diamond with a magnifying glass.

Examples

El perito tasa la casa en doscientos mil euros.

The expert appraises the house at two hundred thousand euros.

Confusing 'valores' and 'principios'

Learners often confuse 'valores' and 'principios' when talking about beliefs. While both relate to guiding ideas, 'valores' typically refers to shared ethical standards or virtues in a community, whereas 'principios' often denotes personal moral rules or a fundamental basis for action.

Related Translations

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