ensayo
/enˈsaʝo/masculine
The English phrase 'essay' can be translated into Spanish as ensayo. Wiktionary also lists redacción and composición escrita.
Meaning: written composition (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ensayo | /enˈsaʝo/ | masculine |
| redacción | /redaɡˈθjon/ /redaɡˈsjon/ |
feminine |
| composición escrita | /komposiθjon eskɾita/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /komposisjon eskɾita/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
feminine |
The term ensayo refers to a written composition. It is also polysemous, meaning it can also mean a rehearsal for a play, music or a speech.
Which one should you use?
ensayo is used specifically for academic or literary essays. In contrast, redacción refers more generally to the act of writing or a short composition, which is often used in primary or secondary school contexts. composición escrita is another way to express a written composition.
How does it change in a sentence?
ensayo is a masculine noun, so you must use masculine articles like el or un.
How do you pronounce it?
/enˈsaʝo/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word ensayo shares a common ancestor with the English word 'assay', which refers to testing the purity of precious metals.
- Unlike English, where 'essay' is primarily for writing, ensayo can also describe a trial run or a prototype test of a new machine or system.
- In Spanish, redacción can refer to the physical office or the staff of a newspaper or magazine, not just the act of writing.
Examples in context
- Escribe un ensayo corto.Write a short essay.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of ensayo when giving a command.Tatoeba #1177170 by marcelostockle, translation #1114890 by CM
- Tom está escribiendo un ensayo.Tom is writing an essay.This sentence shows how to use ensayo with the continuous verb form.Tatoeba #8346036 by diegohn, translation #6860590 by Hybrid
- Puedes terminar tu ensayo ahora.You can finish your essay now.This sentence demonstrates using ensayo to talk about finishing a task.Tatoeba #1441291 by marcelostockle, translation #2051 by CK
- El profesor nos pidió que escribiéramos un ensayo sobre la importancia de la educación.The professor asked us to write an essay about the importance of education.
- Ayer tuve que hacer una redacción sobre mis vacaciones de verano.Yesterday, I had to write an essay about my summer vacation.
- Juanita siempre escribe unos ensayitos muy interesantes.Juanita always writes very interesting little essays.
- Hoy tengo que entregar una composición sobre la historia del arte.Today, I have to submit an essay about art history.
- 30 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Mateo are talking about their homework in the library.
- ElenaMateo, ¿ya terminaste tu ensayo?Mateo, did you already finish your essay?
- MateoNo, mi ensayo es muy largo.No, my essay is very long.
- ElenaYo necesito ayuda con mi ensayo.I need help with my essay.
- MateoPodemos leer el ensayo juntos.We can read the essay together.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “essay” translations and entries ensayo, redacción, 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.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries composición, ensayo, redacción, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
