optar
/obˈtaɾ/
In Spanish, to opt is translated as optar. Wiktionary also lists elegir and escoger.
Meaning: to choose (verb)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| elegir | /eleˈxiɾ/ |
| escoger | /eskoˈxeɾ/ |
| optar | /obˈtaɾ/ |
| seleccionar | /seleɡθjoˈnaɾ/ /seleɡsjoˈnaɾ/ |
The verb optar is used to express the act of choosing or selecting a specific path or alternative. In many formal contexts, you can also use elegir, escoger or seleccionar to mean 'to choose'. Additionally, in certain formal situations, the verb decidir (to decide) may be used to convey the idea of opting for something.
Which one should you use?
While optar implies choosing between available alternatives or paths, elegir is a more general term for selecting one thing from a group.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the verb optar to mean choosing a specific option or course of action, it is almost always followed by the preposition por.
How do you pronounce it?
/obˈtaɾ/
Did you know?
- The word elegir comes from the Latin ēligō, which combines the prefix ex- meaning 'out' and legō meaning 'to gather'. To 'choose' was literally to 'gather out' a specific item from a group.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, escoger can be used interchangeably with elegir, but elegir is the standard term used for voting in political elections.
Examples in context
- Es recomendable optar por la opción más económica.It is advisable to opt for the most affordable option.
- He elegido optar por la opción más segura y confiable.I have chosen to opt for the safest and most reliable option.
- Es hora de decidir por cuál opción optar.It is time to decide which option to opt for.
- No te olvides de decidirte por una opción antes de que sea tarde.Don't forget to opt for an option before it's too late.
- Es difícil optar por un solo camino.It is difficult to opt for a single path.
- Decidió optar por el modelo más pequeño.She decided to opt for the smaller model.
- No quiero optar por esa opción.I do not want to opt for that option.
Example conversation
María and Daniel are discussing which apartment to rent.
- María¿Vas a optar por el apartamento con jardín?Are you going to opt for the apartment with a garden?
- DanielNo, prefiero optar por el que tiene terraza.No, I prefer to opt for the one with a terrace.
- MaríaEsa es una buena decisión para ti, Daniel.That is a good decision for you, Daniel.
- DanielSí, la terraza es perfecta.Yes, the terrace is perfect.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “opt” translations and entries elegir, escoger, optar, seleccionar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries elegir, escoger, optar, seleccionar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
