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B1 noun #2,500 le plus courant 8 min de lecture

comparación

At the A1 level, students learn that 'comparación' is a word for looking at two things. They use it in very simple ways, like 'una comparación de precios' (a price comparison). They might not use the word itself often, but they learn the basic 'más que' (more than) and 'menos que' (less than) structures which are the building blocks of any comparison. The focus is on recognizing the word in a sentence and understanding that it means 'comparing'. Teachers might use it to explain a grammar point: 'Vamos a hacer una comparación entre estos dos objetos'. It is a long word, so A1 students usually focus on spelling it correctly with the accent on the 'ó'.
A2 learners begin to use 'comparación' in slightly more structured sentences. They can understand phrases like 'en comparación con mi país' (in comparison with my country) when describing their experiences. They start to realize that 'comparación' is a feminine noun and must be used with 'la' or 'una'. At this level, they might encounter the word in simple reading texts about shopping, travel, or family, where two options are being weighed. They are also introduced to the idea that some things 'no tienen comparación' (have no comparison/are the best), which is a common expression they can start using in basic conversations.
At the B1 level, 'comparación' becomes a functional part of the student's vocabulary for expressing opinions and making arguments. They are expected to use 'en comparación con' correctly to link ideas. They can participate in discussions where they compare different lifestyles, products, or historical periods. B1 students should also be aware of the common proverb 'las comparaciones son odiosas' and understand its cultural significance. They start to use the word in writing to organize their thoughts, for example, 'Para empezar, haré una comparación entre las dos opciones'. This level marks the transition from just knowing the word to using it as a tool for discourse.
B2 learners use 'comparación' with much greater nuance. They can discuss abstract concepts and use the word in academic or professional contexts. They might say, 'Si establecemos una comparación entre ambos modelos económicos, veremos fallos estructurales'. They are comfortable with synonyms like 'contraste' and can choose between them depending on whether they want to emphasize similarities or differences. Their use of the word is more fluid, and they can handle complex prepositional phrases. They also understand the rhetorical use of comparison in literature or persuasive speeches and can analyze how a comparison is being used to influence an audience.
At the C1 level, the student uses 'comparación' as a precise instrument for analysis. They are aware of more formal synonyms like 'cotejo' or 'parangón' and use them to vary their register. They can engage in deep literary or philosophical debates where 'la comparación' is a central theme. They might use phrases like 'a efectos de comparación' or 'bajo una rigurosa comparación'. Their understanding of the word includes its subtle connotations—for instance, when a comparison might be considered 'sesgada' (biased) or 'arbitraria' (arbitrary). They can write long essays where comparison is the primary method of investigation, maintaining grammatical precision throughout.
A C2 speaker has a native-like command of 'comparación'. They use it effortlessly in any context, from high-level scientific research to sophisticated literary criticism. They understand the historical etymology of the word and its relationship to other Romance languages. They can play with the word in wordplay or advanced rhetoric. For a C2 learner, 'comparación' is not just a vocabulary word but a fundamental concept they can manipulate to express the finest shades of meaning. They are also adept at using the word in idiomatic and metaphorical ways that are indistinguishable from a native speaker, such as discussing the 'inconmensurabilidad' (incommensurability) of certain comparisons.
Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

comparación en 30 secondes

  • Comparación is a feminine noun meaning the act of comparing things.
  • It is commonly used in the phrase 'en comparación con' (in comparison with).
  • It requires an accent on the 'ó' in the singular but not in the plural.
  • It is used in daily life, business, science, and literature to analyze relationships.

The Spanish noun comparación refers to the analytical process of examining two or more entities to identify their similarities, differences, or relative qualities. At its core, it is a cognitive tool used across all domains of human thought—from simple daily choices to complex scientific evaluations. In linguistic terms, it is a feminine noun (la comparación) that derives from the verb comparar. When we speak of a comparación, we are often looking for a benchmark or a point of reference to better understand the nature of an object, person, or idea. It is not merely about finding what is the same; it is equally about distinguishing what is unique.

Cognitive Function
The mental act of weighing attributes against a standard or another subject.
Linguistic Application
The use of comparative structures (más que, menos que, tan como) to express relationships.
Rhetorical Device
A figure of speech, such as a simile, used to illustrate a point by drawing parallels.

"No hay comparación posible entre la calidad de vida en el campo y en la ciudad; son experiencias totalmente distintas."

— Example of usage in a contrastive context.

In everyday Spanish, the word is frequently used in the phrase en comparación con (in comparison with). This prepositional phrase acts as a bridge, allowing the speaker to set the stage for a relative judgment. For instance, saying "Este coche es barato en comparación con el otro" establishes a financial hierarchy. Furthermore, the word carries a weight of evaluation. To say "no hay comparación" is a common idiomatic way to express that one thing is vastly superior or fundamentally different from another, effectively ending the debate by suggesting the gap is too wide to bridge.

"Hacer una comparación injusta puede herir los sentimientos de alguien."

Statistical Use
Comparing data sets to find trends or anomalies.
Social Use
The act of comparing oneself to others, often discussed in psychology.

Using the word comparación effectively requires understanding its common syntactic patterns. The most frequent structure is [Sujeto] + [Verbo] + en comparación con + [Referencia]. This allows for a direct relative analysis. For example: "La economía ha crecido un 2% en comparación con el año pasado." Here, the word functions as a mathematical or statistical anchor. Another common usage is with the verb establecer (to establish) or hacer (to make). You don't just 'have' a comparison; you usually 'make' or 'establish' one to clarify a point.

"Es difícil establecer una comparación directa entre dos sistemas educativos tan diferentes."

In more formal or academic writing, comparación is used to introduce a methodology. You might see phrases like "bajo una comparación exhaustiva" (under an exhaustive comparison) or "a efectos de comparación" (for comparison purposes). In these instances, the word signals a rigorous process of evaluation. It is also important to note the plural form, comparaciones. A very famous Spanish proverb says, "Las comparaciones son odiosas" (Comparisons are odious/hateful), which is used when someone is comparing people in a way that might be offensive or unnecessary.

When describing the nature of the comparison, use adjectives like odiosa (hateful), directa (direct), detallada (detailed), or superficial (superficial). These adjectives help define the depth and intent of the analysis. For example, "Una comparación superficial no revela los problemas reales." This level of detail is crucial for B1 learners and above to move beyond simple sentences and start expressing complex thoughts about relationships between ideas.

You will encounter comparación in a variety of settings, ranging from the mundane to the highly specialized. In commercial settings, advertisements frequently use it to show why their product is better than the competition: "En comparación con la marca líder, nuestro detergente limpia mejor." In news and journalism, it is indispensable for reporting economic shifts, sports statistics, or political polls. A news anchor might say, "La tasa de desempleo ha bajado en comparación con el trimestre anterior," providing the audience with the necessary context to understand the data.

"Si hacemos una comparación de precios, veremos que esta tienda es la más cara del barrio."

In academic and scientific environments, the word is a staple. Research papers often include a section dedicated to the "comparación de resultados" (comparison of results), where findings are weighed against previous studies or control groups. Similarly, in literary analysis, teachers and students use it to discuss metaphors and similes. A teacher might ask, "¿Qué comparación utiliza el autor para describir la tristeza?" (What comparison does the author use to describe sadness?). This highlights the word's role as a technical term in rhetoric.

Finally, in legal and administrative contexts, comparisons are used to verify identities or documents. A forensic expert might perform a "comparación de huellas dactilares" (fingerprint comparison). In every case, the word implies a search for truth or value through the lens of duality or multiplicity. Understanding where you hear it helps you grasp the level of formality required when you use it yourself.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with comparación involves the preposition that follows it. As mentioned previously, many students instinctively translate "in comparison to" as "en comparación a". While "a" is occasionally used, "con" is the preferred and more natural choice in the vast majority of Spanish-speaking regions. Using "con" makes your Spanish sound more authentic and grammatically grounded. Another common error is the omission of the definite article. In Spanish, we usually say "hacer una comparación" or "la comparación", whereas in English, one might say "make comparison" in certain abstract contexts.

Incorrecto: "Este libro es corto en comparación a ese." Correcto: "Este libro es corto en comparación con ese."

Spelling is another pitfall. Because the word ends in -ción, it must have an accent on the 'o'. Learners often forget this, especially when writing quickly. Additionally, when the word is pluralized to comparaciones, the accent is dropped because the stress remains on the penultimate syllable, following standard Spanish accentuation rules. Forgetting to drop the accent in the plural is a common mistake even for intermediate students. For example, "las comparaciones" (correct) vs "las comparatiónes" (incorrect).

Lastly, be careful with the verb comparar. Some learners try to use it like "compare to" in every situation, but in Spanish, we often use comparar con. If you say "comparar a", it usually implies comparing people in a social or evaluative sense, whereas "comparar con" is the general-purpose utility. Misusing these can slightly alter the perceived meaning of your sentence, though usually, the context will clear up any confusion.

To enrich your vocabulary, it is helpful to look at words that share a semantic field with comparación. A very close synonym is cotejo. While comparación is general, cotejo often implies a more technical or meticulous check, such as comparing two lists of data or two versions of a document to ensure they match. If you are in a business or legal setting, using cotejo or the verb cotejar will make you sound much more professional. Another sophisticated alternative is parangón. This word is almost exclusively used in the phrase "sin parangón", meaning "without equal" or "unparalleled". It is a high-level C1/C2 word that adds a touch of elegance to your speech.

Analogía
Refers to a comparison between two things that are otherwise unlike, usually for the purpose of explanation or clarification.
Contraste
Focuses specifically on the differences between two things rather than the similarities.
Equiparación
The act of treating two things as equal or equivalent, often in a legal or social rights context.

"El cotejo de las pruebas fue fundamental para resolver el caso judicial."

On the other hand, if you want to emphasize the lack of similarity, you might use diferenciación or distinción. While comparación is the umbrella term for looking at both sides, these words zoom in on the gap between the subjects. In academic writing, you might see paralelismo, which suggests that two things are developing or existing in a similar way. Understanding these nuances allows you to choose the exact word that fits your intended meaning, moving beyond the basic 'B1' level of comparación into more nuanced Spanish.

How Formal Is It?

Formel

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Informel

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Niveau de difficulté

Grammaire à connaître

Exemples par niveau

1

Hago una comparación de los colores.

I make a comparison of the colors.

Simple present tense with 'una comparación'.

2

La comparación es fácil.

The comparison is easy.

Use of the definite article 'la' with a feminine noun.

3

¿Es una comparación?

Is it a comparison?

Question structure.

4

Mira esta comparación de fotos.

Look at this photo comparison.

Imperative 'mira' followed by the noun.

5

No me gusta esa comparación.

I don't like that comparison.

Negative sentence with 'esa'.

6

Es una comparación pequeña.

It is a small comparison.

Adjective agreement (feminine).

7

Quiero ver la comparación.

I want to see the comparison.

Infinitive 'ver' after 'quiero'.

8

La comparación de precios es buena.

The price comparison is good.

Noun phrase 'comparación de precios'.

1

En comparación con ayer, hoy hace sol.

In comparison with yesterday, today it is sunny.

Introduction of 'en comparación con'.

2

Hicimos una comparación de los hoteles.

We made a comparison of the hotels.

Preterite tense 'hicimos'.

3

Esta comparación es muy útil para viajar.

This comparison is very useful for traveling.

Adverb 'muy' modifying the adjective 'útil'.

4

No hay comparación entre estos dos cafés.

There is no comparison between these two coffees.

Common idiom 'no hay comparación'.

5

Ella escribió una comparación corta.

She wrote a short comparison.

Subject-verb-object agreement.

6

La comparación de los coches fue difícil.

The comparison of the cars was difficult.

Past tense 'fue'.

7

Necesito una comparación de tallas.

I need a size comparison.

Noun 'tallas' (sizes).

8

Tu comparación es muy interesante.

Your comparison is very interesting.

Possessive adjective 'tu'.

1

Las comparaciones son odiosas, pero necesarias.

Comparisons are odious, but necessary.

Use of the plural 'comparaciones' and the proverb.

2

Si haces una comparación, verás la diferencia.

If you make a comparison, you will see the difference.

First conditional structure.

3

En comparación con el año pasado, hemos mejorado.

In comparison with last year, we have improved.

Present perfect 'hemos mejorado'.

4

Es injusto hacer esa comparación ahora.

It is unfair to make that comparison now.

Adjective 'injusto' modifying the action.

5

La comparación entre los dos libros es fascinante.

The comparison between the two books is fascinating.

Preposition 'entre' to show relationship.

6

Quiero establecer una comparación clara.

I want to establish a clear comparison.

Verb 'establecer' often used with 'comparación'.

7

No podemos evitar la comparación constante.

We cannot avoid constant comparison.

Adjective 'constante' following the noun.

8

Esa comparación no tiene sentido en este contexto.

That comparison makes no sense in this context.

Phrase 'no tiene sentido'.

1

Bajo una comparación exhaustiva, el plan falló.

Under an exhaustive comparison, the plan failed.

Formal prepositional phrase 'bajo una...'.

2

La comparación de datos reveló una tendencia preocupante.

The data comparison revealed a worrying trend.

Subject-verb agreement with a collective idea.

3

No admite comparación con ninguna otra obra.

It admits no comparison with any other work.

Verb 'admitir' used in a formal negative sense.

4

Hizo una comparación muy acertada sobre la situación.

He made a very accurate comparison about the situation.

Adjective 'acertada' (accurate/apt).

5

La comparación entre teoría y práctica es vital.

The comparison between theory and practice is vital.

Abstract nouns as subjects of comparison.

6

Resulta difícil evitar las comparaciones subjetivas.

It is difficult to avoid subjective comparisons.

Impersonal 'resulta' + adjective.

7

La comparación refuerza mi argumento principal.

The comparison reinforces my main argument.

Verb 'reforzar' (to reinforce).

8

A efectos de comparación, usaremos este modelo.

For comparison purposes, we will use this model.

Formal phrase 'a efectos de'.

1

La comparación analítica requiere un rigor metodológico.

Analytical comparison requires methodological rigor.

Use of specialized adjectives 'analítica' and 'metodológico'.

2

Cualquier comparación con el pasado resulta anacrónica.

Any comparison with the past turns out to be anachronistic.

Advanced vocabulary 'anacrónica'.

3

Se establece una comparación implícita en el poema.

An implicit comparison is established in the poem.

Passive 'se' construction.

4

La comparación de magnitudes es esencial en física.

The comparison of magnitudes is essential in physics.

Technical noun 'magnitudes'.

5

Su talento está fuera de toda comparación.

His talent is beyond all comparison.

Idiomatic phrase 'fuera de toda comparación'.

6

La comparación entre ambos sistemas es odiosa pero ilustrativa.

The comparison between both systems is odious but illustrative.

Contrastive conjunction 'pero'.

7

Evitemos la comparación simplista de estos fenómenos.

Let's avoid the simplistic comparison of these phenomena.

Hortatory subjunctive 'evitemos'.

8

La comparación diacrónica muestra la evolución del idioma.

Diachronic comparison shows the evolution of the language.

Academic term 'diacrónica'.

1

La comparación pormenorizada desveló matices insospechados.

The detailed comparison revealed unsuspected nuances.

High-level adjective 'pormenorizada'.

2

No cabe comparación alguna entre su retórica y la mía.

There is no possible comparison between his rhetoric and mine.

Formal structure 'no cabe... alguna'.

3

La comparación es el eje vertebrador de su tesis doctoral.

Comparison is the backbone of his doctoral thesis.

Metaphorical use of 'eje vertebrador'.

4

Someter a comparación estas variables es un reto estadístico.

Subjecting these variables to comparison is a statistical challenge.

Infinitive phrase as subject.

5

La comparación intertextual enriquece la lectura de la obra.

Intertextual comparison enriches the reading of the work.

Literary theory term 'intertextual'.

6

Resulta fútil cualquier comparación ante tal magnitud.

Any comparison is futile before such magnitude.

Sophisticated adjective 'fútil'.

7

La comparación trasciende lo meramente descriptivo.

The comparison transcends the merely descriptive.

Verb 'trascender' and neuter 'lo'.

8

Estableció una comparación dialéctica entre ambos autores.

He established a dialectical comparison between both authors.

Philosophical term 'dialéctica'.

Collocations courantes

hacer una comparación
establecer una comparación
en comparación con
admitir comparación
término de comparación
punto de comparación
comparación directa
comparación exhaustiva
comparación injusta
fuera de comparación

Phrases Courantes

no hay comparación

las comparaciones son odiosas

sin comparación

en comparación con

hacer una comparación

establecer una comparación

punto de comparación

término de comparación

bajo comparación

por comparación

Souvent confondu avec

comparación vs comparativo (adjective vs noun)

comparación vs comparable (adjective)

comparación vs compasión (totally different meaning: compassion)

Expressions idiomatiques

""

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""

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""

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Facile à confondre

comparación vs

comparación vs

comparación vs

comparación vs

comparación vs

Structures de phrases

Comment l'utiliser

preposition

Always prefer 'con' over 'a' after 'en comparación'.

plural accent

Remember: comparación -> comparaciones (no accent).

Erreurs courantes
  • Using 'en comparación a' instead of 'en comparación con'.
  • Forgetting the accent on 'comparación'.
  • Keeping the accent on 'comparaciones'.
  • Using 'comparativo' (adjective) when 'comparación' (noun) is needed.
  • Saying 'hacer comparación' without the article 'una' or 'la'.

Astuces

Accent Rule

Always accent the 'ó' in -ción words. It's a consistent rule for nouns of this type in Spanish.

Use 'Cotejo'

In a professional email, use 'cotejo de datos' instead of 'comparación de datos' to sound more precise.

Idiom Usage

Use 'No hay comparación' when you really love a meal or a place. It's a very common native expression.

Transitioning

Start a paragraph with 'En comparación con lo anterior...' to link your ideas smoothly.

Preposition Watch

Listen for 'con' or 'entre' right after the word to catch the context of the comparison.

Social Sensitivity

Be careful when comparing cultures; try to use 'diferencias' instead of 'comparaciones' to sound more objective.

Plural Check

When you write 'comparaciones', double-check that you haven't added an unnecessary accent.

Venn Diagrams

Visualize a Venn diagram when you use this word; it represents the 'comparación' perfectly.

Avoid Repetition

If you use 'comparación' in one sentence, use 'contraste' or 'paralelo' in the next.

Root Word

Connect it to 'compare' in English. They share the same Latin root, making it a reliable cognate.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

COM-PA-RA-CIÓN: COMpare PAirs and RAte the seleCTION.

Origine du mot

Latin

Contexte culturel

In Latin America, 'comparación' is often used in political discourse to compare current administrations with past ones.

'Las comparaciones son odiosas' is the most famous phrase involving this word.

Avoid comparing people directly in social settings as it can be seen as rude.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Amorces de conversation

"¿Crees que las comparaciones entre hermanos son siempre malas?"

"En comparación con tu ciudad natal, ¿cómo es vivir aquí?"

"¿Qué comparación harías entre el cine clásico y el moderno?"

"¿Haces una comparación de precios antes de comprar algo caro?"

"¿Por qué decimos que las comparaciones son odiosas?"

Sujets d'écriture

Escribe una comparación entre tu vida hace cinco años y tu vida ahora.

Compara dos libros que hayas leído recientemente.

¿Es útil la comparación constante en las redes sociales?

Describe un momento en el que una comparación te ayudó a tomar una decisión.

Analiza la frase 'las comparaciones son odiosas' desde tu punto de vista.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Se recomienda usar 'en comparación con'. Aunque 'a' se escucha a veces, 'con' es la forma estándar y más natural en español.

Sí, lleva tilde en la 'o' porque es una palabra aguda terminada en 'n'.

No, no lleva tilde porque al añadir el plural, la sílaba tónica sigue siendo 'cio', pero ahora es una palabra llana terminada en 's'.

'Cotejo' o 'parangón' son excelentes opciones para un registro más elevado o técnico.

Significa que una cosa es tan superior o diferente a otra que no se pueden comparar de forma justa.

Sí, pero recuerda el dicho 'las comparaciones son odiosas', ya que puede ser mal visto.

El verbo es 'comparar'.

Es femenino: la comparación.

Se dice 'comparación de precios'.

Es cuando comparas dos cosas que no tienen las mismas condiciones o bases.

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