actual
/aɡˈtwal/
The English word 'current' (meaning existing or occurring at the moment) is translated into Spanish as actual.
The adjective actual is used to describe something that is happening or exists right now. Do not confuse this with the Spanish word for a flow of water or electricity, which is corriente.
Meaning: existing or occurring at the moment (adj)
Which one should you use?
In English, the word 'actual' often means 'real' or 'true'. If you want to express that something is the 'actual truth' in Spanish, you should use real or verdadero instead of actual.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective actual must agree in number with the noun it modifies. For plural nouns, use the form actuales.
How do you pronounce it?
/aɡˈtwal/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using actual when you mean 'real' or 'true' in the sense of 'the actual truth'. Use real or verdadero instead.
Did you know?
- While actual means 'current', the word actualmente is an adverb meaning 'currently' or 'at the moment'. Using actualmente to mean 'actually' is a common mistake that can confuse a native speaker.
- The word corriente, used for 'current' in water or electricity, also means 'ordinary' or 'common' when describing a person or object.
- The Spanish adjective actual is a direct descendant of the Latin word actuālis. This connects it to the English word 'act', as both words trace back to the idea of being in action or in motion.
Examples in context
- Es su mujer actual.She's his current wife.This sentence shows how to describe a person's current wife using actual.Tatoeba #10795633 by Curro, translation #10795687 by Luornu
- Ese es el plan actual.That's the current plan.This sentence shows how to describe a current plan using actual.Tatoeba #1418676 by marcelostockle, translation #1260261 by CM
- Tom es el novio actual de Mary.Tom is Mary's current boyfriend.This sentence shows how to describe a current boyfriend using actual.Tatoeba #1434186 by marcelostockle, translation #1028547 by CK
- El presidente actual de la compañía es muy exitoso.The current president of the company is very successful.
- No tenemos información actualizada sobre el proyecto.We don't have up-to-date information on the project.
- Ahora mismo estoy ocupado. Te llamaré más tarde.I'm currently busy right now. I'll call you later.
- No puedo asistir a la reunión. Ahora mismo tengo otro compromiso.I can't attend the meeting. I have another commitment right now.
- En este momento no puedo hablar, pero te escribiré más tarde.I can't talk right now, but I'll write to you later.
- En este momento hay mucha incertidumbre en el mercado.There's a lot of uncertainty in the market at the moment.
- 28 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Alejandro are discussing their workplace situation.
- SofíaLa situación actual es complicada.The current situation is complicated.
- AlejandroSí, el jefe actual no ayuda.Yes, the current boss does not help.
- SofíaDebemos mejorar nuestra situación actual.We must improve our current situation.
- AlejandroTienes razón, Sofía.You are right, Sofía.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “current” translations and entries actual, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries actual, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
