actuación
/aɡtwaˈθjon/
The English word acting is translated into Spanish as actuación.
actuación is used to refer to the occupation of an actor, specifically the art or the performance of acting. To express the actual action of performing or acting, the verb actuar is used. In more formal contexts, you may use la interpretación to mean acting.
Meaning: occupation of an actor (noun)
Which one should you use?
Use actuación when you are talking about the craft or a specific performance. Do not use it to mean acting in the sense of a person's behavior or performing a specific action. For those meanings, use comportamiento or acción instead.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain Latin American countries, the phrase el arte dramático is used to describe acting.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
actuación is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/aɡtwaˈθjon/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using actuación to describe someone acting in a legal or administrative capacity, such as an 'acting director'. In those instances, you should instead use en funciones or interino.
Did you know?
- While actuación describes the performance, the word interpretación is often preferred by critics because it implies the actor is 'interpreting' the soul of the character rather than just playing a part.
- The phrase en funciones for an 'acting' manager literally means 'in functions', treating the role as a set of duties rather than a persona.
- In some Spanish speaking cultures, a 'bad performance' is described using the word sobreactuar, which specifically targets the habit of overacting or 'chewing the scenery'.
Examples in context
- La actuación no fue genial.The acting wasn't great.This sentence uses actuación to describe the quality of a performance.Tatoeba #10093044 by manufrutos, translation #10087302 by ddnktr
- Tom solía enseñar actuación.Tom used to teach acting.This sentence uses actuación to refer to the subject of teaching.Tatoeba #13953334 by ecorralest101, translation #8416054 by CK
- ¿Tomaste clases de actuación?Did you take acting classes?This sentence uses actuación to refer to taking classes in the field.Tatoeba #12500686 by carlosalberto, translation #12500648 by CK
- Me encanta la actuaciónI love acting.
- Él tiene una gran habilidad para la interpretaciónHe has great skill in acting/interpretation.
- Estoy estudiando teatroI'm studying acting/theatre.
- Voy a ver una representación teatral esta nocheI'm going to see a theatrical performance tonight.
- Estoy estudiando arte dramáticoI'm studying acting.
- Me gusta actuar en obras de teatroI enjoy acting in plays.
- Ella es una actriz talentosaShe is a talented actress
- Él es un actor talentosoHe is a talented actor
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are talking about a theater performance.
- LucíaMe encanta su actuación en esa obra.I love his acting in that play.
- MateoEs verdad, tiene mucho talento.It's true, he is very talented.
- Lucía¿Crees que estudió actuación?Do you think he studied acting?
- MateoSí, parece un profesional.Yes, he seems like a professional.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “acting” translations and entries actuación, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
