real
/reˈal/
The English phrase 'real' is translated into Spanish as real.
real is an adjective used to describe something that is genuine and not artificial, counterfeit or fake.
Meaning: genuine, not artificial, counterfeit or fake (adj)
Which one should you use?
While real is the standard term, you may encounter auténtico/a when referring to something being authentic or the slang la neta to mean 'for real'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico and some parts of Central America, the slang term la neta is used informally to mean 'for real'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective real becomes reales in its plural form.
How do you pronounce it?
/reˈal/
Did you know?
- The word real in Spanish has two distinct Latin ancestors: one from rēs, meaning 'matter' or 'thing', and another from rēgālis, meaning 'regal'.
- The term real is also the name of a former Spanish currency, the 'real de a ocho', which was widely used in international trade.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, a 'real' person might be described as 'de carne y hueso' to emphasize they are 'flesh and bone'.
Examples in context
- Eso no es real.That's not real.This sentence is useful for expressing that something is not real.Tatoeba #1284271 by marcelostockle, translation #954333 by CK
- ¿Todo esto es real?Is this all for real?This sentence is useful for asking if something is actually real.Tatoeba #2461971 by Shishir, translation #1886891 by CK
- La amenaza es real.The threat is real.This sentence is useful for describing a threat as real.Tatoeba #10534634 by Seael, translation #4502615 by CK
- Es importante tomar decisiones basadas en información verdadera.It's important to make decisions based on real information.
- ¡Está nevando de verdad!It's snowing for real!
- ¿En serio ganaste la lotería?Did you really win the lottery?
- 106 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofía are looking at a piece of jewelry.
- MateoMira este anillo, parece muy caro.Look at this ring, it looks very expensive.
- SofíaNo creo que sea oro real.I don't think it is real gold.
- MateoTienes razón, el color es extraño.You are right, the color is strange.
- SofíaEs solo una imitación, no es real.It is just an imitation, it is not real.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry real, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries real, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
