vs 

QUICK ANSWER
"Affair" is a noun which is often translated as "el asunto", and "approach" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "aproximarse". Learn more about the difference between "affair" and "approach" below.
affair(
uh
-
fehr
)
A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
noun
a. el asunto
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(M)
I think I need to consult a lawyer about this affair.Creo que necesito consultar a un abogado con respeto a este asunto.
b. el caso
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(M)
The whole affair was blown out of proportion.Todo el caso fue totalmente exagerado.
a. el caso
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(M)
His mishandling of the affair resulted in a multi-million dollar loss.Su mal manejo del caso dio lugar a una pérdida de varios millones de dólares.
a. la ocasión
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(F)
The dinner will be an elegant affair.La cena será una ocasión elegante.
b. el acontecimiento
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(M)
Cindy and Rob's wedding was the affair of the year in our town.La boda de Cindy y Rob fue el acontecimiento del año en nuestro pueblo.
a. la aventura
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(F)
They carried on their affair in hotel rooms for six months before being found out.Llevaron a cabo su aventura en cuartos de hotel por seis meses antes de ser descubiertos.
b. el affaire
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(M)
Fernanda had an affair with a man twice her age.Fernanda tuvo un affaire con un hombre que tenía el doble de edad que ella.
c. el lío
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(M)
Joe had an affair with his sister-in-law.Joe tuvo un lío con su cuñada.
d. el romance
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(M)
Thomas told us he had an affair with his secretary.Thomas nos contró que tuvo un romance con su secretaria.
5.
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
(thing)
a. chisme (colloquial)
The computer is some sort of super fast affair.La computadora es uno de esos chismes súper rápidos.
affairs
A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
plural noun
a. los cosas
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(M)
You have a week to get your affairs in order before reporting for duty.Tienes una semana para poner tus cosas en orden antes de presentarte para tus faenas.
b. los asuntos
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(M)
Who is in charge of the president's affairs?¿Quién se encarga de los asuntos del presidente?
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.
approach(
uh
-
proch
)
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
intransitive verb
a. aproximarse
Hurry up! The train is approaching!¡Apúrate, que se aproxima el tren!
The plane is now approaching the boarding gate.El avión se aproxima a la puerta de embarque.
b. acercarse
The worst storm of the winter is approaching.Se acerca la peor tormenta del invierno.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
transitive verb
a. acercarse a
My ex approached me in the street.Mi ex se acercó a mí en la calle.
b. aproximarse a
Look, that bear is approaching our tent.Mira, ese oso se aproxima a nuestra tienda de campaña.
a. dirigirse a
You can't approach your boss with that attitude.No puedes dirigirte a tu jefe con esa actitud.
b. abordar
Who was that guy that approached you in the street?¿Quién fue ese hombre que te abordó en la calle?
a. abordar
How we approach the situation will determine our success or failure.Cómo abordamos la situación va a determinar nuestro éxito o fracaso.
a. acercarse a
Bethany is approaching 60 years of age.Bethany se acerca a los 60 años de edad.
b. aproximarse a
The number of students involved is approaching 2000.El número de estudiantes involucrados se aproxima a los 2000.
A noun is a word referring to a person, animal, place, thing, feeling, or idea (e.g., man, dog, house).
noun
a. la aproximación
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(F)
The approach of the storm led to a mass evacuation.La aproximación de la tormenta provocó una evacuación masiva.
a. el enfoque
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(M)
We reached the same conclusion but with a very different approach.Llegamos a la misma conclusión pero con un enfoque muy diferente.
b. el planteamiento
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(M)
It's a very novel approach, but I doubt it will work.Es un planteamiento muy original, pero dudo que funcione.
a. el acceso
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(M)
Traffic is heavy on the approaches to the airport.Hay mucho tráfico en los accesos al aeropuerto.
a. la propuesta
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(F)
We have made an approach that we consider fair for both parties.Hemos hecho una propuesta que consideramos justa para ambas partes.
a. la aproximación
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(F)
With this album, the band makes an approach to true grandeur.Con este disco, el grupo hace una aproximación a la grandeza verdadera.
a. el golpe de aproximación
(m) means that a noun is masculine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(M)
The golfer's approach ended up in the water.El golpe de aproximación del golfista acabó en el agua.
a. las maniobras de aproximación
(f) means that a noun is feminine. Spanish nouns have a gender, which is either feminine (like la mujer or la luna) or masculine (like el hombre or el sol).
(F)
The plane was on its final approach to the airport.El avión realizaba las últimas maniobras de aproximación al aeropuerto.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.