acción adversa
/aɡθjon adbeɾsa/from spelling rules
In Spanish, adverse action is translated as acción adversa.
The phrase refers to a negative decision or action taken by an organization that affects a person's employment or legal status.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the noun acción (action) and the adjective adversa (adverse).
Which one should you use?
Medida adversa is a common synonym used in many legal contexts. If you are describing a specific measure or decision, you might also use medida desfavorable, acto perjudicial, decisión desfavorable or resolución adversa.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The terms decisión desfavorable and resolución adversa are alternative terms for adverse action that are preferred in some Latin American countries.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase plural, both the noun and the adjective must take the plural suffix -es or -s, resulting in acciones adversas.
How do you pronounce it?
/aɡθjon adbeɾsa/
Did you know?
- In Spanish legal systems, an acción is not just a physical act but a technical term for the right to bring a case before a court.
- The word adversa shares its root with the English word 'adversary', meaning both words stem from the same Latin source describing something turned against you.
- A lawyer might replace adversa with perjudicial to shift the focus from the decision being 'opposite' or 'against' to the actual damage caused to the person.
Examples in context
- La empresa no puede tomar una acción adversa sin pruebas.The company cannot take an adverse action without evidence.
- Recibí una notificación sobre una posible acción adversa.I received a notification about a possible adverse action.
Example conversation
Two colleagues are discussing a human resources policy.
- SofíaSofía: Me preocupa que haya una acción adversa.I am worried that there will be an adverse action.
- AlejandroAlejandro: No creo que sea necesario en este caso.I don't think it's necessary in this case.
- SofíaSofía: Pero el jefe está muy molesto hoy.But the boss is very upset today.
- AlejandroAlejandro: Esperemos a ver la decisión final.Let's wait and see the final decision.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries acción, CC BY-SA 4.0.
