Calques in Spanish: English Translations You Should (& Shouldn’t) Use

FYI: You help keep the site going! We earn a commission for some of the services we mention.

From código abierto (open source) and tiempo real (real-time)
to the infamous “hacer sentido” (⚠️ wrong!) — calques can make your Spanish
either clear and natural, or odd and distracting. Here’s everything you need to know.

What Is a Calque?

A calque (loan translation) is a word or phrase copied by meaning from another
language. Instead of borrowing the foreign word (loanword), Spanish builds a native-looking version:
open source → código abierto, real-time → tiempo real.

  • Good calques become standard Spanish (guerra fría for cold war).
  • Risky calques mirror English too literally and sound off (hacer sentido).

Types of Calques

  • Lexical / Compound: parts translated then recombined — value chain → cadena de valor.
  • Phrasal / Idiomatic: translate an expression — cold war → guerra fría.
  • Semantic: a Spanish word takes a new meaning — ratón (mouse) for computer device.
  • Structural: copy English grammar patterns like “X-based” → basado en X.

Calque Patterns That Work in Spanish

Many technical, medical, business, political, and marketing terms enter Spanish as calques because they are recent concepts in English.
These patterns are natural and widely accepted. Use them confidently, but note register (formal vs casual) and regional preference.

open + N → N abierto / de código abierto

  • open source → código abierto
  • open data → datos abiertos
  • open-door policy → política de puertas abiertas
  • open access → acceso abierto
  • open science → ciencia abierta
  • open banking → banca abierta
  • open government → gobierno abierto
  • open innovation → innovación abierta
  • open standards → estándares abiertos
  • open campus → campus abierto

real-time → en tiempo real

  • real-time analytics → análisis en tiempo real
  • real-time tracking → seguimiento en tiempo real
  • real-time bidding → puja en tiempo real
  • real-time updates → actualizaciones en tiempo real
  • real-time alerts → alertas en tiempo real
  • real-time monitoring → monitoreo en tiempo real
  • real-time translation → traducción en tiempo real
  • real-time chat → chat en tiempo real
  • real-time system → sistema en tiempo real
  • real-time payments → pagos en tiempo real

Noun + Noun → X de Y

  • user interface → interfaz de usuario
  • content strategy → estrategia de contenidos
  • cloud computing → computación en la nube
  • supply chain → cadena de suministro
  • machine learning → aprendizaje automático
  • energy crisis → crisis de energía
  • cost–benefit analysis → análisis costo–beneficio
  • health policy → política de salud
  • customer experience → experiencia del cliente
  • marketing strategy → estrategia de marketing

Sports & media

  • basketball → baloncesto (Spain), básquet (widely in Latin America)
  • cold war → guerra fría
  • time-out → tiempo muerto
  • round table → mesa redonda
  • Star Wars → La guerra de las galaxias (historic translation)
  • soap opera → telenovela
  • breaking news → noticia de última hora
  • press release → comunicado de prensa
  • football manager → director técnico
  • sportsmanship → espíritu deportivo

Common Errors to Avoid

❌ Wrong calque
✅ Correct Spanish
hacer sentido
tener sentido
aplicar para un trabajo
solicitar un trabajo / postularse a
hacer una decisión
tomar una decisión
pagar atención
prestar atención
introducir a alguien
presentar a alguien
cometer un éxito
tener éxito
estar excitado
estar emocionado/a
controlar (to check)
comprobar / revisar

Calques by Theme

Technology

  • código abierto (open source)
  • en tiempo real (real-time)
  • computación en la nube (cloud computing)
  • aprendizaje automático (machine learning)
  • aprendizaje profundo (deep learning)
  • inteligencia artificial (artificial intelligence)
  • cadena de bloques (blockchain)
  • red neuronal (neural network)
  • ciberseguridad (cybersecurity)
  • interfaz de usuario (user interface)

Business & Marketing

  • cadena de valor (value chain)
  • ventaja competitiva (competitive advantage)
  • estudio de mercado (market research)
  • plan de negocio (business plan)
  • posicionamiento de marca (brand positioning)
  • fidelización de clientes (customer loyalty)
  • campaña publicitaria (advertising campaign)
  • estrategia de marketing (marketing strategy)
  • redes sociales (social networks)
  • influencer (loanword, but also calque patterns like “persona influyente”)

Politics & Law

  • libertad de información (freedom of information)
  • derechos humanos (human rights)
  • desarrollo sostenible (sustainable development)
  • rendición de cuentas (accountability)
  • línea dura (hardline)
  • daño colateral (collateral damage)
  • indicadores clave (key indicators)
  • cambio de régimen (regime change)
  • estado de derecho (rule of law)
  • crimen de guerra (war crime)

Medical & Scientific

  • medicina basada en evidencia (evidence-based medicine)
  • ensayo clínico (clinical trial)
  • células madre (stem cells)
  • salud mental (mental health)
  • enfermedad cardíaca (heart disease)
  • prevención primaria (primary prevention)
  • factor de riesgo (risk factor)
  • esperanza de vida (life expectancy)
  • prueba de diagnóstico (diagnostic test)
  • unidad de cuidados intensivos (intensive care unit)

Further Reading

FAQ

Are calques accepted by the RAE?

Yes. The Real Academia Española documents many calques in its dictionary. Once usage becomes widespread and natural, they are recognized as standard Spanish (e.g., guerra fría, tiempo real).

Why are calques so common in technology and business?

Because many concepts originate in English. New terms in technology, medicine, politics, and marketing are often translated quickly, leading to calques like aprendizaje automático for “machine learning”.

Do regions differ in which calques they use?

Yes. For example, ratón is the standard word for “computer mouse” in Spain, while in much of South America, people also say mouse directly. Both forms are understood everywhere.

What’s the difference between calques and loanwords?

Loanwords borrow the foreign form (software, internet), while calques translate the meaning (código abierto, tiempo real).

Can I invent my own calque?

Be cautious. If it mirrors established Spanish patterns, it may work, but check major media sources before using it.

Is it wrong to use the English word instead?

Not always. In tech and marketing, loanwords like link or software are widely used. In formal documents, prefer the calque (enlace, programa).

How do I know if a calque sounds natural?

Search Spanish newspapers or government websites. If it appears in reputable sources, it’s safe.

Do calques evolve over time?

Yes. Some start clunky but become standard (e.g., correo electrónico for email). Others fall out of use as loanwords take over.

Are calques just Spanglish?

No. Spanglish usually mixes English forms into Spanish speech. A calque builds a Spanish-looking expression from English meaning.

Should I avoid calques as a learner?

No. Many calques are standard. Just learn which are accepted (tiempo real) and which sound odd (hacer sentido).