basada en hechos reales
/basada en et͡ʃos ɾeales/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'based on a true story' is translated into Spanish as basada en hechos reales.
Used to describe a creative work that is inspired by actual events.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase basada en hechos reales literally translates to 'based on real facts'.
Which one should you use?
While basada en hechos reales is the most common idiomatic way to express this in Spanish, basada en una historia real is a literal translation that is also used.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word Basado changes to Basada to agree with a feminine singular noun. If the subject being described is a feminine plural noun, such as 'las películas' (the movies), the form changes to basadas en hechos reales.
How do you pronounce it?
/basada en etʃos ɾeales/
Did you know?
- The word hechos means 'facts' but is also the past participle of the verb hacer, meaning 'to do' or 'to make'. Literally, hechos reales describes things that were actually 'made' or 'done' in the real world.
- In Spanish-speaking film marketing, you might see the phrase inspirada en hechos reales instead of basada en. This subtle shift suggests the creator took more creative liberty than a strictly 'based' version would allow.
- The word basada relies on the feminine suffix -ada, which is a remnant of the Latin way of turning verbs into adjectives. This suffix essentially turns the action of 'laying a base' into a descriptive state for a noun.
Examples in context
- Esta serie es una verdadera joya, porque está basada en algo que pasó de verdad. No te la puedes perder.This series is a real gem, because it is based on something that really happened. You can't miss it.
- Esta película está basada en hechos reales.This movie is based on true events.
- Es una novela basada en hechos reales.It is a novel based on true events.
- La serie está basada en hechos reales.The series is based on true events.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are discussing a documentary at a cafe.
- Alejandro¿Te gusta este documental?Do you like this documentary?
- LucíaSí, me encanta porque es una historia basada en hechos reales.Yes, I love it because it is a story based on true events.
- AlejandroEs increíble que todo fuera cierto.It is incredible that everything was true.
- LucíaEs muy emocionante, Alejandro.It is very exciting, Alejandro.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries basada, en, CC BY-SA 4.0.
