Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| aventura | /abenˈtuɾa/ | feminine |
| asunto | /aˈsunto/ | masculine |
| rollo | /ˈroʝo/ | masculine |
| amorío | /amoˈɾio/ | masculine |
| devaneo | /debaˈneo/ | masculine |
| escarceo amoroso | /eskaɾθeo amoɾoso/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /eskaɾseo amoɾoso/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
masculine |
| lío de faldas | /ˌlio de ˈfaldas/ | masculine |
| affaire (afer) | masculine |
When referring to an adulterous or romantic relationship, use aventura or amorío. To describe a complicated or messy situation, you might use lío or enredo. If you mean 'affair' in the sense of a business matter, a topic or something one's business concerns, use asunto.
Which one should you use?
While aventura literally means 'adventure', in the context of relationships, it specifically refers to a sexual or romantic affair. Amorío is used to describe a brief or lighthearted romantic affair, often implying something less serious than a long-term relationship. For non-romantic matters, asunto is the standard term for a matter or issue.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For formal contexts involving a complex matter or a situation requiring attention, you can use cuestión, situación or problema. In informal settings, you can use lío to describe a mess or a complicated situation or enredo to convey being entangled in a confusing situation. To specifically refer to a romantic affair informally, use lío amoroso or the phrase tener una aventura. The word rollo is a colloquial way to refer to a complicated or messy affair or 'thing'.
How do you pronounce it?
/abenˈtuɾa/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be careful not to use asunto to mean a romantic affair. It usually just means a 'matter' or 'issue' unless the context clearly implies a specific matter of infidelity.
Did you know?
- The expression lío de faldas is a colorful way to describe a man's romantic affairs, but it literally translates to 'a mess of skirts'.
- The word rollo can refer to a romantic 'affair' or 'thing' between two people, but it is also used in slang to describe a boring or tedious conversation.
- The term devaneo refers to a romantic 'affair' or 'flirtation', but it literally stems from the idea of 'wandering' or 'straying' from a straight path.
Examples in context
- Eso es asunto mío.That's my affair.This sentence shows how to use asunto to mean a personal matter.Tatoeba #1285883 by marcelostockle, translation #42358 by CM
- No tengo nada que ver con el asunto.I have nothing to do with the affair.This sentence demonstrates using asunto to refer to an affair or matter one is involved in.Tatoeba #622951 by Leono, translation #29001 by CK
- Esperamos una pronta resolución del asunto.We expect an early settlement of the affair.This sentence uses asunto to refer to the settlement of a matter or affair.Tatoeba #6059630 by albrusgher, translation #47231 by CK
- 14 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a celebrity scandal.
- SofíaParece que él tuvo una aventura.It seems that he had an affair.
- DanielNo puedo creer que lo hiciera.I can't believe he did it.
- SofíaSu esposa ya sabe de la aventura.His wife already knows about the affair.
- DanielEso es muy triste para ella.That is very sad for her.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “affair” translations and entries aventura, asunto, rollo, amorío, devaneo, lío de faldas, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
