razón
/raˈθon/feminine
The English word 'reason' (referring to the capacity for rational thinking) is translated into Spanish as razón.
razón is used to refer to the human capacity for rational thinking or a logical justification. In a common idiomatic expression, if you want to say that someone 'is right' (meaning they are correct), you should use the phrase tener razón, which literally translates to 'to have reason'.
Meaning: (the capacity of the human mind for) rational thinking (noun)
Which one should you use?
While razón refers to the capacity for rational thought or a logical justification, the word motivo is more commonly used when you want to describe a specific motive or a cause for an action.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of razón is razones. Note that when moving to the plural, the accent mark on the 'o' is dropped. razón is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/raˈθon/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly treat razón as a masculine noun. Because it is feminine, you must use the article la (la razón) instead of el.
Did you know?
- Razón and ración are linguistic twins that share the same Latin ancestor, ratiōnem, despite one meaning 'reason' and the other 'ration'.
- While razón refers to logic, the phrase perder la razón is a common way to describe someone who has suffered a total mental breakdown or gone insane.
- Spanish speakers use razón in mathematics to describe a 'ratio', linking the concept of logical thinking to mathematical proportions.
Examples in context
- La razón es clara.The reason is clear.Tatoeba #3527695 by cueyayotl, translation #847122 by Source_Benedict_1921
- Nadie sabe la razón.No one knows the reason.Tatoeba #1309151 by Shishir, translation #1290717 by CK
- Dame una buena razón.Give me one good reason.Tatoeba #1922655 by hayastan, translation #1912958 by CK
- Tengo una buena razón para hacerlo.I have a good reason to do it.
- ¿Cuál es la razón por la que llegaste tarde?What is the reason you arrived late?
- El motivo de mi visita es discutir este tema importante.The reason for my visit is to discuss this important issue.
- No puedo asistir a la reunión por un motivo personal.I can't attend the meeting for personal reasons.
- Me da pereza ir a la playa, no tengo ningún motivo para hacerlo.I feel lazy about going to the beach, I don't have any reason to do it.
- Tu amigo tiene motivos válidos para no venir a la fiesta.Your friend has valid reasons for not coming to the party.
- ¿Cuál es la causa de tanto tráfico?What is the reason for all this traffic?
- 247 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Lucía are discussing a philosophical concept in a cafe.
- JavierDebemos actuar con la razón.We must act with reason.
- LucíaTienes razón, Javier.You are right, Javier.
- JavierLa razón nos ayuda a decidir.Reason helps us to decide.
- LucíaEs una verdad absoluta.It is an absolute truth.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “reason” translations and entries razón, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries razón, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
