eficiente
/efiˈθjente/
The English word efficient can be translated into Spanish as eficiente or eficaz.
Meaning: making good use of resources (adj)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| eficiente | /efiˈθjente/ /efiˈsjente/ |
| eficaz | /efiˈkaθ/ /efiˈkas/ |
The term is used to describe making good use of resources.
Which one should you use?
While these words are often used interchangeably in casual speech, there is a distinction: eficiente specifically refers to the optimization of resources, whereas eficaz refers to the ability to achieve a desired result or goal (effectiveness). Additionally, the word productivo means productive but is also used to express efficiency.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make eficiente plural, you add an 's' to form eficientes. To make eficaz plural, the 'z' changes to 'c' and you add 'es' to form eficaces.
How do you pronounce it?
/efiˈθjente/
Did you know?
- In legal contexts in some Spanish-speaking countries, the term eficaz is used to describe a contract or a law that has become legally binding and operative.
- The root of eficaz traces back to the Latin 'faciō', which is the same root found in the English word 'factory'.
- While eficiente refers to the process and eficaz refers to the result, Spanish speakers often use eficaz to describe medicine or a cure that actually works.
Examples in context
- Usted es eficiente, ¿verdad?You're efficient, aren't you?This sentence is useful for confirming someone's efficiency using eficiente.Tatoeba #4179728 by Leono, translation #3373031 by CK
- No se puede negar que es muy eficaz.There is no denying that she is very efficient.This sentence is useful for noting that someone is very efficient using eficaz.Tatoeba #1031141 by Shishir, translation #308467 by CM
- Este sistema es bastante menos eficiente.This system is quite a bit less efficient.This sentence is useful for comparing the efficiency of a system using eficiente.Tatoeba #11678610 by Seael, translation #13045093 by araneo
- Este sistema es muy eficienteThis system is very efficient
- Esta organización es bastante eficazThis organization is quite efficient
- Esta metodología es muy productivaThis methodology is very efficient
- Hemos optimizado nuestros recursos para ser más eficientesWe have optimized our resources to be more efficient
- Estoy buscando mejorar la eficiencia de mi negocioI'm looking to improve my business's efficiency
- Vamos a darle caña a este proyecto para ser más eficientesLet's give some energy to this project to be more efficient
- Mi nuevo software va como un tiroMy new software goes like a shot
- 15 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maria and Javier are discussing a new software tool at work.
- MaríaEste programa es muy eficiente.This program is very efficient.
- JavierSí, ahorramos mucho tiempo con él.Yes, we save a lot of time with it.
- MaríaJavier, necesitamos un proceso más eficiente aquí.Javier, we need a more efficient process here.
- JavierEstoy de acuerdo, María.I agree, Maria.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “efficient” translations and entries eficiente, eficaz, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries eficaz, eficiente, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
