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"Actual" is an adjective which is often translated as "present", and "real" is an adjective which is often translated as "real". Learn more about the difference between "actual" and "real" below.
actual(
ahk
-
twahl
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
a. present
Dada la inestabilidad política actual, vuelos a ese país han sido suspendidos.Given the present political instability, flights to that country have been suspended.
b. current
La burbuja inmobiliaria causó la crisis económica actual.The current economic crisis was caused by the housing bubble.
c. contemporary
La conquista del espacio es una parte importante de nuestra historia actual.The conquest of space is an important part of our contemporary history.
d. present-day
El asunto más importante en la política actual es el calentamiento global.The most important issue in present-day politics is global warming.
2. (modern)
a. up-to-date
Nuestra empresa ofrece los equipos informáticos más actuales.Our company provides the most up-to-date computing equipment.
b. fashionable
Le gusta ir vestida con el estilo más actual.She likes to dress in the most fashionable style.
a. topical
Es importante mantenerse informado sobre los temas más actuales.It is important to keep updated on highly topical issues.
real(
rreh
-
ahl
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
1. (genuine)
a. real
Ese país tiene un ejército pequeño que no representa una amenaza real para nuestro país.That country has a small army that is not a real threat to our country.
b. true
La siguiente es una historia real basada en la vida de una víctima del Holocausto.The following is a true story based on the life of a Holocaust victim.
a. royal
Políticos, celebridades y hasta la familia real de España concurrieron al estreno.Politicians, celebrities, and even Spain's royal family attended the premiere.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
a. real
¿Cuál es la tasa de cambio del euro contra el real?What's the exchange rate of the euro against the real?
4. (colloquial) (figurative) (small amount of money)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning; metaphorical (e.g., carrot, bean).
a. penny (colloquial) (figurative)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
A phrase used as a figure of speech or a word that is symbolic in meaning; metaphorical (e.g., carrot, bean).
Ese reloj es una imitación de un Rolex y no vale ni un real.That watch is a fake Rolex and is not even worth a penny.
a. real
Recuperamos un cofre lleno de reales de un galeón español que se hundió en 1630.We recovered a chest full of reales from a Spanish galleon that sank in 1630.
a. fairground
El caballo que se escapó todavía debe de estar dentro del real de la feria.The horse that escaped must still be inside the fairground.
los reales
A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
7. (military)
a. camp
Tenemos que cruzar el río y sentar los reales antes de que caiga el sol.We need to cross the river and set up camp before the sun goes down.
