resultar
resultar in 30 Sekunden
- Resultar is a versatile Spanish verb meaning 'to turn out' or 'to be found to be,' essential for describing outcomes and personal experiences.
- It is commonly used in the phrase 'resulta que' to introduce surprising facts or explain situations in a narrative way.
- The construction 'me resulta...' is the standard way to express how you personally perceive a task, such as finding it difficult or easy.
- In formal contexts, it reports casualties (resultar herido) or election results (resultar ganador), providing an objective tone to the information.
The Spanish verb resultar is a dynamic and essential word that every learner must master to sound natural. At its most basic level, it translates to "to result" or "to turn out," but its usage in Spanish is far more versatile than its English cognate. It describes the final state of a process, the revelation of a fact, or the subjective experience of an action. When you use resultar, you are often highlighting the contrast between an initial expectation and the eventual reality.
- Objective Outcome
- Used to describe the factual end of a process. Example: "El experimento resultó un éxito" (The experiment resulted in a success).
- Subjective Experience
- Used with an indirect object pronoun to express how something feels to someone. Example: "Me resulta difícil" (It turns out/is difficult for me).
- Narrative Revelation
- Used to introduce a surprising fact. Example: "Resulta que no tenía dinero" (It turns out he had no money).
"Al final, el viaje resultó más caro de lo que pensábamos."
In many cases, resultar acts as a copular verb, similar to ser or estar, but with an added layer of 'becoming' or 'being found to be.' If you say "La película es aburrida," you are stating a simple fact. If you say "La película resultó aburrida," you are implying that you watched it and discovered its boredom as a result. This nuance of discovery is what makes the verb so powerful in storytelling and reporting. It bridges the gap between the unknown and the known.
"Resulta que somos primos y no lo sabíamos."
Furthermore, the verb is frequently used in the third person singular (resulta) to set the stage for an explanation. This is the equivalent of saying "The thing is..." or "As it happens..." in English. It is a conversational filler that adds weight to the information following it. For example, if someone asks why you are late, you might start with "Resulta que el tren se averió..." (It turns out the train broke down...). This usage is ubiquitous in Spanish-speaking cultures and is a key marker of intermediate fluency.
- Resultar + Adjective
- To turn out to be [adjective]. "El examen resultó fácil."
- Resultar + Ser
- To turn out to be (specifically identity). "Resultó ser un espía."
"Esa zona resulta peligrosa de noche."
Finally, consider the reflexive-like construction with indirect objects: me resulta, te resulta, le resulta. This is used to express personal perception. If a task is difficult for you, you don't just say "Es difícil," you say "Me resulta difícil." This shifts the focus from the task's inherent quality to your personal experience of it. It is more polite and precise, as it acknowledges that others might find it easy. This construction is vital for expressing opinions, feelings, and personal challenges in a socially nuanced way.
"¿Te resulta cómodo este sofá?"
- Resultar Ganador
- To emerge as the winner. "Ella resultó ganadora del concurso."
"El plan resultó ser un desastre total."
Using resultar correctly involves understanding its syntax, which varies depending on the intended meaning. Unlike English, where "result" is often a noun, in Spanish, the verb form is the workhorse of the language. Let's break down the primary grammatical structures you will encounter.
1. The Impersonal "Resulta que..."
This is perhaps the most common way to start a story or explain a situation. It translates to "It turns out that..." or "The fact is that..." It is always followed by a clause in the indicative mood (unless there is a reason for the subjunctive, like negation). It serves as a narrative hook.
"Resulta que ya no venden entradas para el concierto."
2. Subjective Perception (Me resulta + Adjective)
This structure is identical to the construction of gustar. You use an indirect object pronoun (me, te, le, nos, os, les) followed by resulta (singular) or resultan (plural), and then an adjective or a noun. This is how you say something "seems" or "is found to be" a certain way to you.
- Structure
- [Indirect Object Pronoun] + resultar + [Adjective] + [Subject]
"A mi padre le resulta difícil usar el ordenador."
3. Copular Use (Resultar + Adjective/Noun)
In this case, resultar links the subject to a quality that was discovered or became apparent. It is often interchangeable with ser, but resultar emphasizes the outcome. It is very common in news reporting and academic writing.
"Cinco personas resultaron heridas en el accidente."
Note that when describing people in an accident, we say "resultar herido/a" (to be injured) rather than "ser herido," as it focuses on the state they were left in after the event. This is a high-frequency collocation in journalism.
4. Resultar + Infinitve (Resultar ser)
When you want to say something "turned out to be" a specific thing (a person, a role, a specific entity), you use resultar ser. This is used for identity revelations.
"El hombre del sombrero resultó ser el dueño de la empresa."
- Resultar útil
- To be useful/handy. "Este mapa me resultó muy útil."
- Resultar caro
- To turn out expensive. "La reparación resultó cara."
You will encounter resultar in almost every corner of Spanish life, from the morning news to casual gossip over coffee. Its versatility makes it a favorite for speakers across all social registers.
1. In the News and Journalism
Journalists love resultar because it sounds objective and professional. It is the standard way to report casualties, winners of elections, or the outcome of legal trials. You will hear phrases like "Resultaron elegidos..." (They were elected...) or "El balance resultó positivo" (The balance was positive).
"Tras el recuento de votos, el candidato conservador resultó ganador."
2. In Daily Conversations (Gossip and Storytelling)
When friends catch up, resulta que is the engine of the conversation. It's used to drop bombshells or explain unexpected turns of events. "¿Sabes qué? Resulta que Marta se muda a Japón." (Guess what? It turns out Marta is moving to Japan.) It creates a sense of intrigue and sets the listener up for new information.
3. In Academic and Scientific Contexts
In a lab or a university, resultar is used to describe the findings of a study. It conveys that the data has led to a specific conclusion. "Los datos resultan insuficientes para confirmar la teoría." (The data turn out to be insufficient to confirm the theory.)
- Scientific Usage
- "El análisis resultó negativo para la presencia de toxinas."
4. In Customer Service and Reviews
When people talk about products or services, they use resultar to describe their experience. "El hotel nos resultó muy acogedor" (The hotel turned out to be very cozy for us). It is common in online reviews on sites like TripAdvisor or Amazon.
"La talla resulta un poco pequeña, recomiendo pedir una más."
In summary, resultar is the verb of "the reveal." Whether it's a tragic accident, a surprising family secret, or a scientific discovery, this verb is there to signal that a truth has emerged from a process of events.
While resultar is a cognate of "result," English speakers often fall into traps by translating too literally or misapplying its unique Spanish structures.
1. Overusing "Resultar en"
In English, we say "The policy resulted in many changes." Beginners often say "La política resultó en muchos cambios." While not strictly ungrammatical in all contexts, it sounds very 'anglicized.' Natural Spanish prefers dar lugar a, provocar, or tener como resultado.
- Incorrect
- "La lluvia resultó en inundaciones."
- Better
- "La lluvia provocó inundaciones" or "La lluvia tuvo como resultado inundaciones."
2. Forgetting the Indirect Object Pronoun
When expressing how something feels to you, you must use the pronoun. Saying "Resulta difícil para mí" is grammatically possible but sounds stiff and foreign. The natural way is "Me resulta difícil."
3. Confusing Resultar with Pasar or Suceder
English speakers sometimes use resultar to mean "to happen." For example, "What resulted?" to mean "What happened?". In Spanish, you should use pasar or suceder. Resultar is about the state or outcome, not the event itself.
"¿Qué pasó?" (What happened?) vs "¿Cómo resultó el plan?" (How did the plan turn out?)
4. Agreement Errors with "Me resulta/n"
Remember that in the "Me resulta..." construction, the verb agrees with the subject (the thing you are talking about), not with you. If you find multiple things difficult, the verb must be plural.
- Wrong
- "Me resulta difíciles los verbos."
- Right
- "Me resultan difíciles los verbos."
5. Using "Resultar que" with Subjunctive
Learners often think that because "Resulta que..." introduces a fact, it might need the subjunctive if there's any doubt. However, resulta que is an affirmative statement of fact and almost always takes the indicative. Only use the subjunctive if you negate it: "No resulta que..." (which is very rare).
To truly master resultar, you need to know how it compares to its synonyms and near-synonyms. Each has a slightly different flavor.
1. Resultar vs. Parecer
Parecer means "to seem." It is about appearance and can be deceptive. Resultar is about the discovered reality. If a book parece interesting, you haven't read it yet. If it resulta interesting, you are reading it and confirming your impression.
"Parece fácil, pero me resulta difícil." (It seems easy, but it's turning out to be hard for me.)
2. Resultar vs. Quedar
In the context of clothing or physical results, quedar is often used. "Esta camisa me queda bien" (This shirt fits me well). However, "Esta camisa me resulta cómoda" (This shirt is comfortable for me). Quedar is more about the physical fit or the final state of an object, while resultar is about the experience or the outcome of an action.
3. Resultar vs. Terminar
Terminar means "to end" or "to finish." You can say "Terminó siendo..." (He ended up being...). This is very close to resultó ser. The difference is that terminar emphasizes the chronological end of a sequence, while resultar emphasizes the revelation of the final state.
- Terminar
- Focus on the end of the timeline.
- Resultar
- Focus on the discovery of the truth.
4. Resultar vs. Suceder/Pasar
As mentioned in the mistakes section, suceder and pasar are for events ("What happened?"). Resultar is for the outcome of those events. You wouldn't say "¿Qué resultó ayer?" to mean "What happened yesterday?" but you could say "¿Cómo resultó la fiesta de ayer?" (How did yesterday's party turn out?).
"El proyecto devino en un fracaso." (Formal synonym for 'resultó')
How Formal Is It?
Schwierigkeitsgrad
Wichtige Grammatik
Verbs like Gustar (for 'me resulta').
Indicative vs Subjunctive after 'resulta que'.
Adjective agreement with the subject.
Preterite vs Imperfect for outcomes.
Copular verbs in Spanish.
Beispiele nach Niveau
El examen resultó fácil.
The exam turned out easy.
Basic subject + verb + adjective structure.
La comida resultó muy buena.
The food turned out very good.
Using 'resultar' to describe a discovery.
Resulta que hoy es lunes.
It turns out that today is Monday.
Introductory 'resulta que' phrase.
La película resultó aburrida.
The movie turned out boring.
Describing the outcome of an experience.
El hotel resultó barato.
The hotel turned out cheap.
Subject-verb-adjective agreement.
Resulta que no tengo pan.
It turns out I don't have bread.
Common conversational use.
La fiesta resultó divertida.
The party turned out fun.
Feminine agreement: 'la fiesta' -> 'divertida'.
El libro resultó corto.
The book turned out short.
Masculine agreement: 'el libro' -> 'corto'.
Me resulta difícil hablar español.
I find it difficult to speak Spanish.
Indirect object pronoun 'me' + 'resulta'.
¿Te resulta cómodo este sofá?
Do you find this sofa comfortable?
Question form with 'te'.
Dos personas resultaron heridas.
Two people were injured.
Plural agreement: 'personas' -> 'resultaron'.
Le resulta caro vivir en Madrid.
He/she finds it expensive to live in Madrid.
Using 'le' for third person singular.
Nos resulta útil este mapa.
We find this map useful.
Using 'nos' for first person plural.
El plan resultó ser un éxito.
The plan turned out to be a success.
Resultar + ser + noun.
Me resultan interesantes tus ideas.
I find your ideas interesting.
Plural verb 'resultan' agreeing with 'ideas'.
Resultó que el coche estaba roto.
It turned out that the car was broken.
Preterite tense of 'resultar'.
Me resultaba extraño verlo allí.
I found it strange to see him there.
Imperfect tense for ongoing perception.
El viaje resultó más largo de lo esperado.
The trip turned out longer than expected.
Comparative structure with 'más... de lo'.
Resulta que al final no vinieron.
It turns out that in the end they didn't come.
Using 'resulta que' for narrative surprise.
Su voz me resulta familiar.
His/her voice sounds familiar to me.
Abstract perception.
Todo resultó según lo previsto.
Everything turned out as planned.
Using 'según' with 'resultar'.
El sospechoso resultó ser inocente.
The suspect turned out to be innocent.
Revelation of identity/state.
¿No te resulta molesto ese ruido?
Don't you find that noise annoying?
Negative question with 'resultar'.
La reunión resultó bastante productiva.
The meeting turned out quite productive.
Adverbial modifier 'bastante'.
Dudo que el experimento resulte bien.
I doubt the experiment will turn out well.
Present subjunctive after 'dudo que'.
Resultó ileso tras el fuerte impacto.
He came out unhurt after the heavy impact.
Formal collocation 'resultar ileso'.
Me resulta increíble que hayas dicho eso.
I find it incredible that you said that.
Resultar + adjective + subjunctive clause.
Si no practicamos, resultará imposible.
If we don't practice, it will turn out impossible.
Future tense in a conditional sentence.
La gestión resultó en un caos absoluto.
The management resulted in absolute chaos.
Using 'resultar en' for abstract outcomes.
A muchos les resulta difícil conciliar el sueño.
Many find it difficult to fall asleep.
Generalizing with 'a muchos les resulta'.
Resultaría muy caro cambiar todo el sistema.
It would turn out very expensive to change the whole system.
Conditional tense for hypothetical outcomes.
El balance de la empresa resultó positivo.
The company's balance sheet turned out positive.
Business/Formal register.
Resulta evidente que no se han tomado medidas.
It is clearly evident that no measures have been taken.
Resultar + adjective as a logical deduction.
Su comportamiento me resulta del todo inaceptable.
I find his behavior completely unacceptable.
Using 'del todo' for emphasis.
De la investigación resultó que hubo fraude.
The investigation showed that there was fraud.
Formal reporting of findings.
Habrá resultado difícil para ella mudarse sola.
It must have been difficult for her to move alone.
Future perfect for probability in the past.
La propuesta resultó ser un arma de doble filo.
The proposal turned out to be a double-edged sword.
Idiomatic expression with 'resultar ser'.
No resulta fácil discernir la verdad en este caso.
It is not easy to discern the truth in this case.
Formal negation and infinitive subject.
Cualquier cambio resultará en una mejora sustancial.
Any change will result in a substantial improvement.
Academic/Professional future tense.
Resulta paradójico que el ahorro genere gastos.
It is paradoxical that saving generates expenses.
Resultar + adjective + subjunctive (paradox).
Resultando que los hechos no coinciden, se cierra el caso.
Given that the facts do not match, the case is closed.
Gerund 'resultando' in a formal legal context.
Lo que de aquí resulte marcará nuestro futuro.
Whatever comes out of this will mark our future.
Relative clause with subjunctive 'resulte'.
Me resulta harto difícil creer en sus promesas.
I find it exceedingly difficult to believe in his promises.
Archaic/Formal intensifier 'harto'.
El análisis resultó ser una mera formalidad.
The analysis turned out to be a mere formality.
Using 'mera' for stylistic nuance.
No por mucho madrugar resulta más corto el día.
Waking up earlier doesn't make the day turn out shorter.
Philosophical/Proverbial usage.
Resulta imperativo que se tomen cartas en el asunto.
It is imperative that action be taken on the matter.
Formal 'resulta + adjective' requiring subjunctive.
Tal decisión resultó en un menoscabo de su imagen.
Such a decision resulted in a loss of prestige for his image.
High-level vocabulary: 'menoscabo'.
Resulta del todo punto imposible satisfacer a todos.
It is absolutely impossible to satisfy everyone.
Idiomatic intensifier 'de todo punto'.
Häufige Kollokationen
Häufige Phrasen
Wird oft verwechselt mit
Redewendungen & Ausdrücke
Leicht verwechselbar
Satzmuster
So verwendest du es
Always use 'resultar herido' in news contexts.
Very common for personal opinions; sounds more natural than 'creo que es'.
Essential for narrative flow; don't overthink the grammar, just use indicative.
- Using 'resultar en' for everything.
- Saying 'Resulta difícil para mí'.
- Forgetting plural agreement: 'Me resulta difíciles'.
- Using 'resultar' to mean 'to happen' (e.g., ¿Qué resultó?).
- Using subjunctive after 'resulta que'.
Tipps
Use 'Resulta que' to start stories
It's a great way to grab attention. It signals to the listener that you're about to share something unexpected. It makes your storytelling sound much more native and engaging. Try it next time you tell a joke or a story.
Watch the agreement
In 'Me resultan difíciles las tareas', 'resultan' and 'difíciles' must be plural. They agree with 'las tareas', not with 'me'. This is a common mistake for English speakers. Always check the subject of the sentence.
Resultar ser
Use this specific combination to talk about identity. 'El perro resultó ser un lobo' (The dog turned out to be a wolf). It's perfect for plot twists. It adds a layer of drama to your descriptions.
Soften your opinions
Instead of 'This is boring', say 'Me resulta un poco aburrido'. It sounds less like an insult and more like a personal feeling. This is very important in Spanish social etiquette. It helps maintain 'politeness' in conversation.
Academic tone
Use 'resultar' to present data in a formal way. 'De este estudio resulta que...' sounds very professional. It's better than 'Este estudio dice que...'. It suggests that the conclusion is based on evidence.
Listen for the 'reveal'
When you hear 'resulta', prepare for new information. It's a marker that the speaker is moving from context to the actual point. It helps you follow the logic of a conversation. It's a very helpful 'signpost' word.
News reports
If you hear 'resultó herido', it's about an accident. If you hear 'resultó ganador', it's about a competition. Knowing these collocations helps you understand the news faster. These are standard phrases in Spanish media.
Stress the last syllable
Since it ends in 'r', the stress is on 'tar'. re-sul-TAR. Clear pronunciation of the 'r' is key. Don't let the 'u' sound like the English 'u'; it's a pure 'oo' sound.
Vary your verbs
Don't just use 'ser' and 'estar' for everything. 'Resultar' adds variety to your speech. It shows you understand the nuances of outcome and perception. It's a mark of an intermediate to advanced speaker.
Link to 'Result'
The English word 'result' is right there in the name. Just remember that in Spanish, it's a verb that does a lot of work. Think of it as 'resulting in a feeling' or 'resulting in a state'. This makes it easier to remember the 'me resulta' structure.
Einprägen
Wortherkunft
From Latin 'resultare'
Kultureller Kontext
The standard verb for reporting outcomes of accidents, elections, and trials.
Used with 'me resulta' to make criticisms sound like personal perceptions rather than objective insults.
A vital tool for creating suspense and introducing new plot points.
Im Alltag üben
Kontexte aus dem Alltag
Gesprächseinstiege
"¿Te resulta difícil aprender español?"
"Resulta que tengo un secreto, ¿quieres saberlo?"
"¿Cómo te resultó la película que viste ayer?"
"¿Te resulta cómodo vivir en esta ciudad?"
"¿Qué te resulta más interesante de la cultura española?"
Tagebuch-Impulse
Describe algo que te resultó muy difícil al principio pero ahora es fácil.
Escribe sobre un día en el que 'resultó que' todo salió diferente a lo planeado.
¿Qué aspectos de tu trabajo te resultan más gratificantes?
Relata un accidente o evento que viste en las noticias usando 'resultar'.
¿Te resulta fácil hacer nuevos amigos? ¿Por qué?
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNo, 'resultar' can be followed by an adjective, a noun, or an infinitive. 'Resulta que' is just one specific construction used to introduce a fact. You can also say 'El plan resultó bien' or 'Me resulta difícil'. It is a very flexible verb.
While 'resultar en' is sometimes used in formal or technical Spanish, it often sounds like a literal translation from English. It is usually better to use 'dar lugar a' or 'provocar'. For example, instead of 'resultó en caos', say 'provocó el caos'. Use it sparingly.
'Me parece' is more about your opinion or impression before or during an event. 'Me resulta' is about your experience or the outcome. If you haven't tried something, use 'me parece'. If you are doing it or have done it, 'me resulta' is often more accurate.
In Spanish, 'resultar' focuses on the state of the people after the accident occurred. It is an intransitive way of describing the outcome. 'Fueron heridos' (passive voice) implies that someone specifically attacked or hurt them. 'Resultar' is more objective for accidents.
Yes, 'resultar' is a completely regular -ar verb. It follows the standard conjugation patterns for all tenses. This makes it very easy to use once you understand the different ways it can be applied in a sentence.
Yes, but usually to describe a quality they have shown. 'Él resultó ser un buen amigo' means he turned out to be a good friend. You wouldn't use it to describe a permanent physical trait unless it was a discovery.
Almost never. Because 'resulta que' is used to state a fact that has been discovered, it takes the indicative. You would only use the subjunctive if the entire phrase was negated, like 'No resulta que sea verdad', but this is very rare.
The most natural way is 'Me resulta interesante'. You can also say 'Me parece interesante', but 'me resulta' implies that you have looked into it or experienced it and that is your conclusion.
Yes, 'resultar' is a universal verb in the Spanish-speaking world. While some regional slang might exist for 'it turns out', 'resulta que' and 'me resulta' are understood and used everywhere from Spain to Argentina.
Yes, you can say 'La suma resulta en 10', although it is more common to say 'La suma da 10' or 'El resultado es 10'. In technical contexts, 'resultar' is perfectly acceptable.
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Summary
Mastering 'resultar' allows you to move beyond simple descriptions and express the 'reveal' of a situation. Whether you are sharing a secret with 'resulta que' or expressing a personal challenge with 'me resulta difícil,' this verb adds depth and authenticity to your Spanish.
- Resultar is a versatile Spanish verb meaning 'to turn out' or 'to be found to be,' essential for describing outcomes and personal experiences.
- It is commonly used in the phrase 'resulta que' to introduce surprising facts or explain situations in a narrative way.
- The construction 'me resulta...' is the standard way to express how you personally perceive a task, such as finding it difficult or easy.
- In formal contexts, it reports casualties (resultar herido) or election results (resultar ganador), providing an objective tone to the information.
Use 'Resulta que' to start stories
It's a great way to grab attention. It signals to the listener that you're about to share something unexpected. It makes your storytelling sound much more native and engaging. Try it next time you tell a joke or a story.
Watch the agreement
In 'Me resultan difíciles las tareas', 'resultan' and 'difíciles' must be plural. They agree with 'las tareas', not with 'me'. This is a common mistake for English speakers. Always check the subject of the sentence.
Resultar ser
Use this specific combination to talk about identity. 'El perro resultó ser un lobo' (The dog turned out to be a wolf). It's perfect for plot twists. It adds a layer of drama to your descriptions.
Soften your opinions
Instead of 'This is boring', say 'Me resulta un poco aburrido'. It sounds less like an insult and more like a personal feeling. This is very important in Spanish social etiquette. It helps maintain 'politeness' in conversation.
Beispiel
El experimento resultó un éxito inesperado.
Verwandte Inhalte
Dieses Wort in anderen Sprachen
Mehr general Wörter
a causa de
A2Es bedeutet 'wegen' oder 'aufgrund von'. Es wird verwendet, um einen Grund anzugeben.
a condición de que
B2On condition that, provided that, or given that.
a dónde
A1Wohin? (zu welchem Ort oder Ziel?)
a lo mejor
A2Vielleicht; eventuell. 'A lo mejor' wird im Spanischen sehr häufig in der Umgangssprache verwendet.
a menos que
B1Es sei denn. Ich gehe nicht, es sei denn, er kommt. (I won't go unless he comes.)
a no ser que
B2Es bedeutet 'es sei denn' oder 'außer wenn'. Es leitet eine Ausnahme ein.
a pesar de
B1Trotz; ungeachtet. 'Er kam trotz des Regens.' (He came despite the rain.)
a_pesar_de
B2Trotz des Regens sind wir ausgegangen.
a propósito
B21. Übrigens / Apropos: verwendet, um das Thema zu wechseln. 2. Absichtlich: mit Vorsatz getan. 'Apropos, hast du mein Buch gesehen?' und 'Er hat es absichtlich gemacht.'
a raíz de
B2Infolge von; aufgrund von.