opcional
/obθjoˈnal/
The English phrase "optional" is translated into Spanish as opcional.
Opcional is the most straightforward and widely used term for "optional" in Spanish.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective opcional must agree in number with the noun it modifies, becoming opcionales in the plural.
How do you pronounce it?
/obθjoˈnal/
Did you know?
- In many legal or formal Spanish documents, instead of using opcional, you might encounter the word facultativo, which implies that the choice is a right or a faculty granted to the person.
- In a casual context, a Spanish speaker might say si quieres ('if you want') to mark a task as optional, regardless of the formal status of the activity.
- In some Spanish-speaking countries, the phrase a discreción is used to indicate that an amount or action is optional and left to one's own judgment.
Examples in context
- El coche está equipado con numerosos accesorios opcionales.The car is equipped with numerous optional accessories.This sentence shows the use of opcional to describe accessories.Tatoeba #11885470 by Eremon, translation #8902946 by carlosalberto
- Envejecer es obligatorio. Crecer es opcional.Growing old is mandatory. Growing up is optional.This sentence uses opcional to contrast mandatory and optional actions.Tatoeba #9927179 by carlosalberto, translation #9927043 by DJ_Saidez
- El dolor es inevitable. El sufrimiento es opcional.Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.This sentence uses opcional to contrast inevitable and optional experiences.Tatoeba #6018407 by Adelpa, translation #3664640 by Ooneykcall
- El formulario contiene campos opcionales.The form contains optional fields.
- La asistencia al evento es voluntaria.Attendance at the event is optional.
- El seguimiento de estas pautas es facultativo.Following these guidelines is optional.
- La cena es a elección de cada uno.Dinner is optional/up to each person's choice.
- Vamos al cine, pero si te apetece.Let's go to the movies, but only if you feel like it.
- Es totalmente opcionalIt's completely optional
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are discussing the requirements for a training course.
- Lucía¿Es obligatorio asistir a la charla?Is attending the talk mandatory?
- JavierNo, es un módulo opcional.No, it is an optional module.
- LucíaEntiendo, gracias por la información, Javier.I understand, thanks for the information, Javier.
- JavierDe nada, Lucía. ¡Suerte!You're welcome, Lucía. Good luck!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry opcional, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
