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"Afán" is a noun which is often translated as "eagerness", and "iniciativa" is a noun which is often translated as "initiative". Learn more about the difference between "afán" and "iniciativa" below.
el afán(
ah
-
fahn
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
1. (yearning)
2. (hard work)
a. effort
El afán de los trabajadores era impresionante.The effort of the workers was awe-inspiring.
3. (urgency) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
la iniciativa(
ee
-
nee
-
syah
-
tee
-
bah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (drive)
a. initiative
Mi hija tiene mucha iniciativa; se inscribió ella sola en el concurso de poesía.My daughter has a lot of initiative; she entered herself in the poetry contest.
2. (proposal)
a. initiative
A la profesora le gustó la iniciativa de los alumnos de plantar un árbol al mes.The teacher loved the students' initiative to plant a tree every month.
a. initiative
Debemos tomar la iniciativa y decidir nuestro futuro.We must take the initiative and decide our future.
