vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Militares" is a form of "militar", an adjective which is often translated as "military". "Efectivos" is a form of "efectivos", a plural noun which is often translated as "forces". Learn more about the difference between "militares" and "efectivos" below.
militar(
mee
-
lee
-
tahr
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
a. military
Esta operación militar fue decisiva para ganar la guerra.This military operation was decisive in winning the war.
This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
a. soldier
Los militares entrenan duro para afrontar las adversidades de la batalla.The soldiers train hard in order to face the adversities of battle.
b. military man (masculine)
Desgraciadamente muchos militares perdieron la vida.Unfortunately, many military men lost their lives.
c. military woman (feminine)
Las militares ayudaron en el rescate de los civiles.The military women helped in the rescue of the civilians.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to serve
Los mayores de 18 años tienen que militar en la guerra.Persons older than 18 have to serve in the war.
a. to be active
Andrés milita en el partido comunista desde 2010.Andres is active in the communist party since 2010.
b. to be an active member
Diego milita en el Partido Verde.Diego is an active member of the Green Party.
los efectivos(
eh
-
fehk
-
tee
-
bohs
)A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
1. (military)
a. forces
El país aumentó el número de efectivos militares en la zona.The country increased the number of military forces in the area.
efectivo, el efectivo
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
a. effective
La vacuna tarda unos días en ser efectiva.The vaccine takes a few days to become effective.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
