datos
/ˈdatos/masculine, plural
In Spanish, the English word 'data' is translated as datos.
The word datos is used to refer to information. In legal and privacy contexts, specifically when referring to personal information, the standard term is datos personales.
Meaning: information (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the most common terms for 'data' are datos and información. In Mexico, datos is widely used in both formal and informal contexts. In Argentina, speakers predominantly use información to express 'data' in both formal and informal situations.
How does it change in a sentence?
datos is a masculine plural noun, so it must be used with masculine articles and adjectives. To refer to a single specific piece of information, use the singular form el dato.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈdatos/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid treating the word as feminine. English speakers sometimes mistakenly say la dato because many abstract nouns in Spanish are feminine, but dato is always masculine.
Did you know?
- In common Spanish slang, dar el dato or pasar el dato often means to give someone a secret tip or an inside piece of information, rather than just sharing raw data.
- The word dato comes from the Latin datum, which means 'something given'. This is why in English, 'data' was historically treated as a plural noun.
- In Spanish, datos is used for both digital computer data and physical facts, whereas English speakers often distinguish between 'data' and 'facts'.
Examples in context
- Copió todos los datos.He copied all the data.This sentence shows the use of datos when copying information.Tatoeba #7282848 by arh, translation #8881977 by mialiesperantistas
- He analizado los datos.I've analyzed the data.This sentence shows the use of datos when analyzing information.Tatoeba #3390020 by marcelostockle, translation #2359005 by CK
- ¿Son ciertos estos datos?Is this data accurate?This sentence shows how to use datos to ask about the accuracy of information.Tatoeba #5705199 by arh, translation #4494634 by CK
- El informe está basado en la información recopilada durante tres años.The report is based on the data collected over three years.
- Los datos presentados respaldan nuestras conclusiones.The data presented supports our conclusions.
- ¿Tienes alguna info sobre el proyecto?Do you have any data on the project?
- ¡Necesito recolectar algunos datos para mi tarea de matemáticas!I need to gather some data for my math homework!
- 42 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and María are working in an office.
- Mateo¿Tienes los datos de la reunión?Do you have the data from the meeting?
- MaríaSí, Mateo, los tengo aquí.Yes, Mateo, I have them here.
- MateoPerfecto, envíamelos por correo.Perfect, email them to me.
- MaríaClaro, lo haré ahora mismo.Sure, I will do it right now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “data” translations and entries datos, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
