parcial
/paɾˈθjal/
The English word 'partial' (meaning biased) can be translated into Spanish as parcial. If unsure, use parcial. Wiktionary also lists tendencioso.
Meaning: biased (adj)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| parcial | /paɾˈθjal/ /paɾˈsjal/ |
| tendencioso | /tendenˈθjoso/ /tendenˈsjoso/ |
In the sense of being biased, you can use parcial or tendencioso.
Which one should you use?
While parcial can mean biased, it is often used in formal or technical contexts to mean 'incomplete' or 'not total' (e.g., a partial eclipse).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, it is common to use the phrase a cachos to mean doing something partially or in fragments.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective parcial is gender-neutral. It remains the same whether modifying a masculine or feminine noun. The adjective parcial must agree in number with the noun it modifies, changing to parciales for plural nouns. The antonym for a biased person or decision is imparcial.
How do you pronounce it?
/paɾˈθjal/
Did you know?
- In Spanish sports commentary, a 'partial' result is called a parcial, referring to the score at a specific midpoint of the game.
- Because parcial is used for both 'biased' and 'incomplete', a sentence describing a 'partial' judge could be jokingly misinterpreted as a judge who is physically missing a limb.
- The adjective tendencioso is much more aggressive than the English 'biased', often implying a deliberate or malicious intent to deceive.
Examples in context
- Incluso la imparcialidad es parcial.Even impartiality is partial.This sentence shows the use of parcial to mean biased.Tatoeba #1469102 by marcelostockle, translation #918854 by Scott
- Los eclipses lunares pueden ser totales o parciales.Lunar eclipses can be total or partial.This sentence shows parciales used in a technical context regarding eclipses.Tatoeba #1551095 by marcelostockle, translation #868795 by CM
- Sami les proporcionó una descripción parcial a los detectives.Sami provided a partial description to the detectives.This sentence shows parcial used to mean incomplete.Tatoeba #8997072 by diegohn, translation #6114573 by OsoHombre
- Necesitamos una respuesta parcial a nuestro requerimiento.We need a partial response to our request.
- Solo tenemos información incompleta sobre el proyecto.We only have partial information about the project.
- La tarea quedó a medias porque se fue la luz.The task was left partial/halfway because the power went out.
- Leí el libro a trozos, no lo terminé de un solo tirón.I read the book partially, I didn't finish it in one go.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Mateo are discussing a judge's decision in a court case.
- SofíaCreo que el juez fue muy parcial hoy.I think the judge was very biased today.
- MateoTienes razón, favoreció mucho al demandado.You are right, he favored the defendant a lot.
- SofíaUn veredicto parcial no es justo para nadie.A biased verdict is not fair for anyone.
- MateoEspero que puedan apelar la decisión, Sofía.I hope they can appeal the decision, Sofía.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “partial” translations and entries parcial, tendencioso, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
