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B2 verb 13 min de lecture

condicionar

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces condicionar en 30 secondes

Explication condicionar in your Level:

At the A1 level, the word 'condicionar' might seem a bit difficult, but you can understand it as a way to say 'if'. Imagine you want to go to the park, but only if it's sunny. You can say that the sun 'condiciona' your trip. It means one thing depends on another. In simple Spanish, we usually use 'si' (if). For example, 'Si tengo dinero, compro el coche.' The money 'condiciona' (decides) if you buy the car. At this stage, you don't need to use the word yourself, but if you see it, just think: 'This thing depends on that thing.' It's like a rule. If you do your homework, you can watch TV. Your mom is 'condicionando' the TV to your homework. It's a very useful word for talking about rules and dependencies in a more 'grown-up' way. Even though it's a long word, it's easy to conjugate because it's a regular '-ar' verb, just like 'hablar'. So, 'yo condiciono', 'tú condicionas', and so on. Just remember: it's about one thing being the boss of another thing. If the weather is bad, the party is 'condicionada' (it might change or be canceled). Keep it simple and look for the 'if' hidden inside the sentence.

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For A2 learners, 'condicionar' is a great word to start using to describe simple dependencies. Instead of always saying 'depende de', you can use 'condicionar' to sound more advanced. For example, 'El precio condiciona mi compra' (The price determines my purchase). This means if the price is high, I won't buy it. It's a way to link two ideas together. You will often see it in the past tense: 'El mal tiempo condicionó nuestras vacaciones' (The bad weather affected/determined our holidays). This means because of the weather, your holidays were different or limited. It's also used when someone gives you a condition. 'Mi padre condicionó el regalo a mis notas' (My father made the gift dependent on my grades). Here, the word 'a' is very important. You 'condicionar' something 'a' something else. It's like a bridge between the result and the requirement. You might also hear it in ads or simple news stories. 'La crisis condiciona el consumo' (The crisis limits spending). It's a step up from 'limitar' or 'cambiar' because it shows you understand that things are connected. Try using it when talking about your plans: 'Mi trabajo condiciona mi tiempo libre' (My work determines my free time). It's a strong, clear way to explain why you can or cannot do something.

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At the B1 level, you should start recognizing 'condicionar' as a tool for expressing logical constraints and social influences. You're now moving beyond simple physical dependencies into more abstract ones. For instance, you can talk about how your upbringing 'condiciona' your personality: 'Nuestra educación condiciona nuestra forma de ver el mundo.' This implies a deep, structural influence. You should also be comfortable with the passive construction: 'Estar condicionado por'. Example: 'El éxito está condicionado por el esfuerzo.' This is a very common way to express general truths. In B1, you are also learning about the subjunctive, and 'condicionar' often triggers it in complex sentences: 'No quiero que mi pasado condicione mi presente.' This shows a desire to break free from a dependency. Another important use is in the context of 'conditioned' things, like 'libertad condicionada' (parole/probation), which you might hear in crime shows. You'll also see it in business contexts: 'La oferta está condicionada a la disponibilidad' (The offer is subject to availability). This is a standard phrase in marketing. By using 'condicionar', you show that you can handle more complex relationships than just 'A causes B'. You're showing that A sets the framework for B, which is a key skill for intermediate learners.

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At the B2 level, 'condicionar' is a word you should use with precision and variety. This is the level where the word is officially introduced as a key vocabulary item. You should understand the nuance between 'condicionar' and its synonyms like 'determinar' (more absolute) or 'influir' (less restrictive). You are expected to use it in academic or professional writing to describe systemic relationships. For example, 'La falta de inversión en I+D condicionará la competitividad de la empresa en el futuro.' Here, you are making a sophisticated prediction about economic structures. You should also be aware of its psychological meaning: 'condicionamiento clásico' (classical conditioning). If you are discussing sociology or psychology, this is an essential term. Furthermore, you should use 'condicionar' to express nuanced opinions in debates. Instead of saying a policy is 'bad', you might say 'La política está condicionada por intereses electorales', which sounds much more analytical and objective. You should also be comfortable using it with the preposition 'a' to set complex terms: 'El gobierno condicionó la firma del tratado a la mejora de los derechos humanos.' This structure—[Subject] + [Verb] + [Object] + [A] + [Requirement]—is a hallmark of B2-level syntax. Mastering this word allows you to discuss politics, science, and ethics with the necessary level of abstraction and clarity.

As a C1 learner, you should use 'condicionar' to explore the philosophical and structural dependencies of complex systems. You are no longer just talking about weather or grades; you are talking about how language 'condiciona' thought, or how historical events 'condicionan' modern identity. Your usage should be fluid and integrated into sophisticated rhetorical structures. You might use the noun form 'condicionamiento' or the adjective 'incondicional' (unconditional) to provide contrast. For example, 'Frente al condicionamiento social, surge la necesidad de un apoyo incondicional.' This shows you can play with the word family to create powerful messages. You should also be able to identify when 'condicionar' is being used euphemistically in political or corporate speech to mean 'restricting' or 'controlling'. In your own writing, you can use it to create complex 'if/then' scenarios without using 'si'. 'La viabilidad del plan queda condicionada a una reestructuración total de la deuda.' This sounds highly professional and authoritative. You should also be aware of the reflexive use, though rare, in philosophical contexts where a system might 'condicionarse a sí mismo'. At C1, you aren't just using the word; you are using it to build arguments, analyze power dynamics, and describe the intricate web of dependencies that define the human experience and the natural world.

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At the C2 level, 'condicionar' is a precision instrument in your linguistic toolkit. You use it to dissect complex ontological and epistemological questions. You might discuss how the 'Dasein' is conditioned by its 'thrownness' into the world, or how quantum states are conditioned by the act of observation. Your mastery of the word allows you to use it in highly specialized fields—be it law, advanced psychology, or theoretical physics—with perfect accuracy. You understand the historical weight of the word, perhaps referencing Pavlov's experiments or Skinner's behaviorism in a discussion about human agency. You can use 'condicionar' to express irony or subtle critique: 'Su supuesta libertad está, en realidad, profundamente condicionada por los algoritmos de las redes sociales.' Here, you are using the word to challenge the very concept of free will. In your writing, you might use it in the 'absolutivo' sense: 'Lo dado condiciona, pero no determina.' This is a high-level philosophical distinction that only a near-native or highly advanced speaker would make. You are also capable of using it in poetic or literary contexts, describing how a landscape 'condiciona' the soul of a character. At this level, 'condicionar' is not just a verb; it is a conceptual lens through which you analyze and describe the universe and the human condition with total nuance and sophistication.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

condicionar en 30 secondes

Condicionar means to make something dependent on a condition or to significantly influence its outcome.
It is a B2-level verb often used in formal, academic, legal, or psychological contexts in Spanish.
Commonly used with the preposition 'a' (condicionar algo a algo) to set specific requirements.
It differs from 'acondicionar', which means to prepare or fix up a physical space or environment.

The verb condicionar is a sophisticated and essential term in the Spanish language, primarily used to describe a relationship of dependency or influence between two or more elements. At its core, it means to determine, restrict, or specify the circumstances under which something else can happen. It is a B2-level word because it moves beyond simple cause-and-effect verbs like 'causar' or 'hacer' and enters the realm of systemic influence and conditional logic. When you use 'condicionar', you are suggesting that one factor is the 'gatekeeper' or the 'shaper' of another factor's existence or quality.

Causal Dependency: This is the most common usage. It indicates that the outcome of 'B' depends entirely on the status of 'A'. For example, economic growth is often conditioned by political stability.
Imposing Restrictions: In legal or contractual contexts, it refers to the act of setting specific terms that must be met for an agreement to be valid.
Psychological Influence: In behavioral science, it refers to the process of training or influencing a person or animal to react in a certain way to a stimulus (classical conditioning).

La falta de presupuesto puede condicionar el éxito del proyecto de investigación a largo plazo.

In everyday Spanish, you might hear this when people discuss how their upbringing, their environment, or their financial situation limits their choices. It is a word that acknowledges that we do not live in a vacuum; our actions and opportunities are often shaped by external forces. For instance, 'El clima condiciona nuestra forma de vestir' (The climate determines how we dress). It isn't just a suggestion; it is a fundamental constraint. The word carries a certain weight of inevitability or structured requirement that makes it perfect for academic, professional, and serious personal discussions.

No quiero que mi pasado condicione mi futuro profesional en esta nueva empresa.

Furthermore, in the world of marketing and psychology, 'condicionar' is used to describe how consumers are influenced to prefer one brand over another. It suggests a subtle, often subconscious, shaping of behavior. When a politician says their support is 'condicionado', they are signaling that their vote isn't free—it has a price or a requirement attached to it. This versatility across fields—from the laboratory to the parliament to the living room—makes it a high-frequency word for advanced learners who want to express complex relationships of power and necessity.

Environmental Factors: How geography or climate dictates lifestyle and industry.
Social Expectations: The way societal norms pressure individuals to behave in specific ways.

Las leyes de inmigración condicionan el flujo de trabajadores extranjeros en el país.

In summary, 'condicionar' is about the 'if-then' structures of life. It identifies the 'if'. If the economy is bad, it conditions (limits/determines) our ability to travel. If the student doesn't study, it conditions (determines) their grade. It is a powerful verb for describing the invisible strings that pull on our lives and decisions, providing a level of precision that simpler verbs lack. By mastering this word, you can participate in debates about sociology, economics, and ethics with much greater nuance.

Using condicionar correctly requires understanding its grammatical patterns, most notably the 'condicionar algo a algo' structure. This translates to 'to make something dependent on something else.' It is a transitive verb, meaning it usually takes a direct object. However, its most potent use is when it links two concepts together through a requirement.

Direct Influence: Subject + Condicionar + Object. Example: 'La lluvia condicionó el partido' (The rain determined/affected the match).
Conditional Linkage: Subject + Condicionar + Object + A + Requirement. Example: 'El banco condicionó el préstamo a la entrega de avales' (The bank made the loan dependent on the delivery of guarantees).

El profesor condicionó el aprobado a la asistencia regular a clase.

When you use it in the passive voice, it describes a state of being limited. 'Estar condicionado por' is a very common phrase. For example, 'Nuestra salud está condicionada por nuestra dieta.' Here, the focus is on the result rather than the actor. This is particularly useful in scientific writing or formal reports where the 'actor' might be an abstract force like 'gravity' or 'inflation'.

La decisión final está condicionada por los resultados de la encuesta.

Another important aspect is using 'condicionar' with abstract nouns. You can condition 'the future', 'the success', 'the development', or 'the response'. It's rarely used for physical objects in a literal sense (you wouldn't 'condition' a chair, unless you mean you're making its use dependent on something). It is a verb for ideas, systems, and behaviors. In psychological contexts, it often appears in the reflexive or as a past participle acting as an adjective: 'un comportamiento condicionado' (a conditioned behavior).

The Future Tense: Often used to make predictions: 'Esto condicionará nuestras vidas para siempre' (This will shape our lives forever).
The Subjunctive: Used when expressing desires or hypothetical constraints: 'No quiero que nada nos condicione' (I don't want anything to restrict us).

¿Crees que el miedo condiciona tus decisiones importantes?

To sound like a native speaker, use 'condicionar' when you want to sound objective and analytical. Instead of saying 'The weather makes the event difficult,' say 'El tiempo condiciona la celebración del evento.' This shifts the focus from a simple difficulty to a structural dependency. It shows you understand the underlying mechanics of the situation. Whether you are talking about how a parent's love shouldn't be 'condicionado' (conditional) or how a treaty 'condiciona' international trade, the verb remains a pillar of clear, high-level communication.

You will encounter condicionar in various professional and intellectual environments. It is a favorite of news anchors, analysts, and academics. When you tune into a Spanish news broadcast like RTVE or read a newspaper like El País, you'll see it frequently in the 'Economía' and 'Política' sections. For example, a journalist might report that the central bank's decision to raise interest rates will 'condicionar' the mortgage market for the next year. This implies a systemic, unavoidable influence.

Legal Documents: In contracts, you'll see clauses that 'condicionan' the execution of a payment to the completion of a task.
Scientific Journals: Researchers use it to describe how variables affect their results: 'La temperatura condiciona el crecimiento de las bacterias'.

El veredicto del juez está condicionado por las pruebas presentadas hoy.

In a corporate setting, managers use it during strategy meetings. They might say, 'Nuestro presupuesto para el próximo año está condicionado a las ventas de este trimestre.' This creates a clear, logical link that everyone understands as a hard rule. In the world of sports, commentators often use it when a key player is injured: 'La ausencia de Messi condiciona totalmente el planteamiento táctico del equipo.' This means the entire strategy must change because of one factor.

La geografía condiciona el desarrollo de las infraestructuras de transporte.

You will also hear it in pedagogical or psychological contexts. Teachers might discuss how a student's home environment 'condiciona' their learning ability. This isn't meant as an excuse, but as a recognition of a significant factor that must be managed. In movies and literature, it's used to describe characters who are 'condicionados' by their past, adding a layer of depth to their motivations. It suggests they aren't entirely free; they are acting based on prior experiences or traumas.

Television News: Reporting on how international relations are conditioned by trade agreements.
Academic Lectures: Discussing how cultural background conditions our perception of art.

No podemos permitir que el miedo al fracaso condicione nuestra creatividad.

Finally, in the context of human rights and social justice, 'condicionar' is often used to criticize how aid is given. Critics might argue that 'La ayuda humanitaria no debería estar condicionada a reformas políticas.' This highlights a moral stance against making survival dependent on ideological changes. As you can see, the word is a vital tool for expressing complex, high-stakes relationships in almost every sphere of public life.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is confusing condicionar with acondicionar. While both share the root 'condición', they are used in very different ways. 'Acondicionar' means to prepare, fix up, or provide with air conditioning (aire acondicionado). If you say 'Voy a condicionar mi cuarto,' a native speaker might think you are going to impose rules on your bedroom, when you actually meant you were going to clean it or install an AC unit.

Preposition Errors: Forgetting the 'a'. Correct: 'Condicionó su ayuda a mi silencio'. Incorrect: 'Condicionó su ayuda con mi silencio'.
Overuse as 'Influence': While 'condicionar' means influence, it's a very strong type of influence. Don't use it for minor things like 'My friend conditioned my dinner choice' unless they literally forced a requirement on you.

Incorrecto: El clima acondicionó nuestra excursión. Correcto: El clima condicionó nuestra excursión.

Another mistake involves the passive voice. English speakers often say 'It is conditioned by' and translate it literally as 'Está condicionado por'. This is actually correct! The mistake happens when they use 'de' instead of 'por'. Remember that 'por' is the standard agent marker in Spanish. Also, pay attention to gender agreement. If you are talking about 'la decisión', it is 'condicionada'; if it's 'el proyecto', it is 'condicionado'. This is a basic rule, but in complex sentences, it's easy to lose track.

Error común: Su actitud está condicionada de su infancia. Corrección: Su actitud está condicionada por su infancia.

Furthermore, learners sometimes use 'condicionar' when they simply mean 'to limit'. While 'condicionar' involves limits, it implies a dependency. If you just want to say 'The fence limits the garden,' use 'limitar'. If you want to say 'The fence determines where we can walk,' then 'condicionar' is appropriate. Precision is key. Using 'condicionar' for every type of influence makes your Spanish sound repetitive and slightly unnatural. Save it for when there is a clear 'if/then' relationship or a significant structural impact.

Confusion with 'Determinar': 'Determinar' is more final. 'Condicionar' suggests a framework or a set of rules that influence the outcome but might not dictate it 100% in all cases.
Misusing the reflexive: 'Condicionarse' is rare. Usually, something is conditioned BY something else (passive) rather than conditioning itself.

No confundas: 'El aire acondicionado' (AC) con 'Un futuro condicionado' (A limited future).

Finally, remember that 'condicionar' is a regular -ar verb. Don't try to change the stem (like 'condue-') or use irregular endings. It follows the pattern of 'hablar' or 'cantar'. Mastering its conjugation is the easy part; mastering its nuanced application in formal and semi-formal contexts is where the real B2/C1 skill lies. Avoid these common pitfalls, and you will use 'condicionar' with the confidence of a native speaker.

To truly master 'condicionar', you should know its synonyms and how they differ in nuance. Spanish is a language that prizes variety, and knowing when to use 'determinar', 'limitar', or 'influir' instead of 'condicionar' will make your speech more fluid and precise. Each of these words shares a semantic space with 'condicionar' but emphasizes a different aspect of the relationship between cause and effect.

Determinar: This is stronger than 'condicionar'. If A determines B, A is the direct and sole cause. 'Condicionar' suggests A sets the stage or the limits for B, but other factors might still play a role. Use 'determinar' for scientific laws or final decisions.
Limitar: This focuses purely on the boundaries. If my budget limits my travel, it just means I can't go far. If my budget 'condiciona' my travel, it means the budget dictates where I go, how I get there, and what I do. 'Condicionar' is more holistic.
Influir: This is much softer. A friend can influence your opinion (influir), but they rarely 'condicionan' it unless they are holding something over you. 'Influir' is a gentle nudge; 'condicionar' is a structural constraint.

Comparación: 'La lluvia influyó en mi ánimo' (Soft) vs 'La lluvia condicionó el evento' (Structural dependency).

Another interesting alternative is 'subordinar'. This is used when one thing is made strictly secondary or dependent on another. 'Subordinamos el placer al deber' (We subordinate pleasure to duty). This is very close to 'condicionar algo a algo', but 'subordinar' has a stronger sense of hierarchy. In legal contexts, you might see 'estipular', which means to specify as a condition in an agreement. While 'condicionar' is the act of making it dependent, 'estipular' is the act of writing the rule down.

El crecimiento económico está supeditado (condicionado) a la estabilidad política del país.

In psychological or behavioral contexts, you might use 'moldear' (to mold) or 'sesgar' (to bias). 'La educación moldea el carácter' (Education molds character). This is a more creative and visual way of saying 'condiciona'. 'Sesgar' is used when the influence is unfair or one-sided: 'Los prejuicios sesgan nuestra visión de la realidad.' Knowing these alternatives allows you to choose the exact 'flavor' of influence you want to describe, moving from the neutral 'condicionar' to the more evocative 'moldear' or the more technical 'supeditar'.

Sujetar: Often used in the phrase 'Sujeto a' (Subject to). This is the adjectival equivalent of a conditioned state. 'El precio está sujeto a cambios' (The price is subject to change).
Coartar: Specifically used for limiting freedom or rights. 'Coartar la libertad de expresión' is a common legal phrase.

En lugar de decir 'condicionar', prueba restringir si quieres enfatizar que algo se está haciendo más pequeño o limitado.

In conclusion, while 'condicionar' is your 'workhorse' verb for dependency and influence, having these alternatives in your pocket will help you avoid repetition. Whether you are writing an essay, giving a presentation, or having a deep conversation, choosing between 'condicionar', 'determinar', 'supeditar', or 'limitar' will demonstrate a high level of linguistic sophistication and clarity of thought.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The word originally referred to legal agreements and spoken terms before it evolved to include psychological and scientific influences.

Guide de prononciation

UK /kon.di.θjo.'nar/

US /kon.di.sjo.'nar/

Last syllable (aguda), as it ends in 'r'.

Rime avec

determinar limitar hablar cantar llegar pensar actuar crear

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing 'ci' as 'ki' (like 'condition' in English).
Stressing the 'dio' instead of the 'nar'.
Confusing the pronunciation with 'acondicionar'.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 4/5

Common in news and books, but requires understanding abstract relationships.

Écriture 5/5

Requires correct preposition use ('a') and gender agreement in passive forms.

Expression orale 4/5

Used in debates and formal discussions; sounds very natural at higher levels.

Écoute 3/5

Easy to hear, but can be confused with 'acondicionar'.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

condición depender si limitar causar

Apprends ensuite

supeditar estipular subordinar determinar incidir

Avancé

ontología determinismo coyuntura idiosincrasia

Grammaire à connaître

Prepositional Verb

Condicionar algo A algo (Must use 'a' for the requirement).

Subjunctive Trigger

Condicionar a que + Subjunctive (e.g., Condicionó su apoyo a que bajen los impuestos).

Passive Voice with 'Por'

El resultado fue condicionado POR la lluvia.

Adjective Agreement

Una oferta condicionadA, un contrato condicionadO.

Regular -AR Conjugation

Yo condiciono, tú condicionas, él condiciona...

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Exemples par niveau

El sol condiciona mi paseo.

The sun determines my walk.

Simple present tense.

Mi madre condiciona la tele a los deberes.

My mother makes TV dependent on homework.

Uses 'condicionar algo a algo'.

El dinero condiciona lo que compro.

Money determines what I buy.

Relative clause with 'lo que'.

La lluvia condiciona el juego.

The rain determines the game.

Direct object 'el juego'.

El tiempo condiciona mi ropa.

The weather determines my clothes.

Subject-verb-object.

Tu ayuda condiciona mi éxito.

Your help determines my success.

Possessive 'tu' and 'mi'.

La comida condiciona mi salud.

Food determines my health.

Abstract concept 'salud'.

El profesor condiciona el examen.

The teacher determines the exam.

Simple transitive use.

El mal tiempo condicionó nuestra fiesta.

The bad weather affected our party.

Preterite tense.

Ella condicionó su viaje a tener dinero.

She made her trip dependent on having money.

Condicionar + a + infinitive.

Nuestras notas condicionan el verano.

Our grades determine the summer.

Plural subject and object.

El jefe condicionó el aumento al trabajo duro.

The boss made the raise dependent on hard work.

Condicionar + a + noun phrase.

La salud condiciona lo que podemos hacer.

Health determines what we can do.

Using 'poder' in a relative clause.

El espacio condiciona los muebles.

The space determines the furniture.

Physical constraint example.

Su respuesta condicionó mi decisión.

His/her answer determined my decision.

Past tense for influence.

El tráfico condiciona la hora de llegada.

Traffic determines the arrival time.

Noun phrase 'hora de llegada'.

No quiero que mi pasado condicione mi futuro.

I don't want my past to determine my future.

Present subjunctive after 'querer que'.

La oferta está condicionada a la disponibilidad.

The offer is subject to availability.

Passive voice with 'estar'.

Su educación ha condicionado su carácter.

His upbringing has shaped his character.

Present perfect tense.

El éxito del proyecto está condicionado por el presupuesto.

The project's success is determined by the budget.

Passive with 'por'.

Si condicionas tu felicidad a los demás, sufrirás.

If you make your happiness dependent on others, you will suffer.

Conditional 'if' clause.

La geografía condiciona el clima de esta región.

Geography determines the climate of this region.

Scientific/geographical context.

El juez condicionó la libertad al pago de una fianza.

The judge made freedom dependent on the payment of bail.

Legal context.

Nuestras experiencias condicionan nuestros miedos.

Our experiences shape our fears.

Psychological context.

La falta de recursos condicionará el desarrollo tecnológico.

The lack of resources will determine technological development.

Future tense for systemic impact.

El entorno social condiciona el comportamiento individual.

The social environment shapes individual behavior.

Sociological terminology.

Es injusto que tu origen condicione tus oportunidades.

It's unfair that your origin determines your opportunities.

Subjunctive after impersonal expression.

La empresa condicionó la fusión a un cambio de directiva.

The company made the merger dependent on a change of management.

Business context with 'a'.

El resultado electoral condicionará las leyes de los próximos años.

The election result will determine the laws of the coming years.

Political context.

Nuestra percepción está condicionada por prejuicios culturales.

Our perception is shaped by cultural prejudices.

Passive voice with abstract agent.

La viabilidad del plan está condicionada a la aprobación del comité.

The plan's viability is dependent on the committee's approval.

Formal/professional structure.

No debemos dejar que el miedo condicione nuestra creatividad.

We must not let fear restrict our creativity.

Modal verb 'deber' + 'dejar que' + subjunctive.

La estructura del lenguaje condiciona nuestra capacidad de pensamiento abstracto.

The structure of language shapes our capacity for abstract thought.

Linguistic determinism theme.

El tratado está condicionado a cláusulas de salvaguarda muy estrictas.

The treaty is subject to very strict safeguard clauses.

High-level legal/diplomatic vocabulary.

La herencia histórica condiciona las relaciones diplomáticas actuales.

Historical heritage shapes current diplomatic relations.

Historical/political analysis.

Cualquier reforma educativa se ve condicionada por la falta de consenso político.

Any educational reform is restricted by the lack of political consensus.

Pronominal passive 'se ve condicionada'.

El mercado laboral está fuertemente condicionado por la automatización.

The labor market is heavily shaped by automation.

Adverb 'fuertemente' modifying the participle.

Es imperativo que no condicionemos la ayuda humanitaria a intereses geopolíticos.

It is imperative that we do not make humanitarian aid dependent on geopolitical interests.

Ethical/Formal discourse.

La subjetividad del observador condiciona inevitablemente el experimento.

The observer's subjectivity inevitably shapes the experiment.

Scientific/Philosophical context.

El éxito de la transición energética está condicionado a la innovación en baterías.

The success of the energy transition is dependent on battery innovation.

Technical/Environmental context.

La ontología del ser se encuentra condicionada por su finitud temporal.

The ontology of being is conditioned by its temporal finiteness.

High-level philosophical terminology.

El discurso hegemónico condiciona la construcción de la identidad colectiva.

Hegemonic discourse shapes the construction of collective identity.

Critical theory vocabulary.

La validez del contrato queda condicionada suspensivamente al cumplimiento de la condición resolutoria.

The validity of the contract is suspensively conditioned upon the fulfillment of the resolutory condition.

Technical legal jargon (civil law).

La plasticidad neuronal permite que el cerebro no esté totalmente condicionado por la genética.

Neural plasticity allows the brain not to be totally determined by genetics.

Neuroscientific context.

El paisaje castellano condicionó la estética de la Generación del 98.

The Castilian landscape shaped the aesthetics of the Generation of '98.

Literary history reference.

La asimetría de información condiciona el equilibrio de los mercados financieros.

Information asymmetry determines the equilibrium of financial markets.

Advanced economic theory.

En la física cuántica, el entrelazamiento condiciona el estado de partículas distantes.

In quantum physics, entanglement determines the state of distant particles.

Theoretical physics context.

La precariedad existencial condiciona la capacidad de agencia del individuo.

Existential precariousness shapes the individual's capacity for agency.

Sociological/Philosophical abstraction.

Collocations courantes

Condicionar el futuro

Condicionar la ayuda

Estar condicionado por

Condicionamiento clásico

Condicionar el éxito

Libertad condicionada

Condicionar la respuesta

Condicionar el voto

Condicionar el desarrollo

Amor incondicional

Phrases Courantes

Sin condicionar

— Without any pre-set requirements or influences.

Queremos una opinión sin condicionar.

Condicionado al pago

— Dependent on the payment being made.

El envío está condicionado al pago previo.

Factor que condiciona

— A factor that determines the outcome.

El precio es el factor que condiciona la venta.

Estar muy condicionado

— To be heavily influenced or limited.

El mercado está muy condicionado por la inflación.

Condicionar la conducta

— To shape or influence how someone acts.

Los premios pueden condicionar la conducta de los niños.

Condicionar la agenda

— To dictate what topics are discussed or prioritized.

La crisis sanitaria condicionó la agenda política.

Condicionar la vida

— To have a major impact on someone's lifestyle.

Una enfermedad crónica condiciona toda tu vida.

Condicionar la entrada

— To set requirements for being allowed in.

El club condiciona la entrada a llevar corbata.

Condicionar el acceso

— To restrict or set terms for getting into a place or service.

La web condiciona el acceso al registro de usuario.

Condicionar la paz

— To make peace dependent on certain terms.

Los rebeldes condicionan la paz a la amnistía.

Souvent confondu avec

condicionar vs Acondicionar

Means to prepare or fix a place, or to use air conditioning.

condicionar vs Determinar

A stronger, more final version of influence.

condicionar vs Limitar

Only refers to boundaries, not necessarily dependency.

Expressions idiomatiques

"Poner condiciones"

— To set rules or requirements before agreeing to something.

No me pongas condiciones para ayudarme.

Informal/Neutral

"Aceptar sin condiciones"

— To accept something fully without any requirements.

Aceptó el trabajo sin condiciones.

Neutral

"Bajo ninguna condición"

— Under no circumstances; never.

No lo haré bajo ninguna condición.

Formal

"En condiciones"

— In the right state or properly prepared.

El coche no está en condiciones de viajar.

Neutral

"Condición sine qua non"

— An essential condition; something absolutely necessary.

El respeto es una condición sine qua non para la paz.

Academic/Formal

"A condición de que"

— On the condition that (usually triggers subjunctive).

Iré a condición de que tú vengas conmigo.

Neutral

"Vivir condicionado"

— To live limited by a specific situation (fear, money, etc.).

Vive condicionado por su pasado.

Literary/Personal

"Condicionar el aire"

— Technically incorrect but used by some to mean 'to use AC'.

Hay que condicionar el aire de la sala.

Incorrect/Common error

"Tener condiciones"

— To have the qualities or skills needed for something.

Tiene condiciones para ser un gran músico.

Neutral

"En igualdad de condiciones"

— In a state of equality or fairness.

Queremos competir en igualdad de condiciones.

Formal/Neutral

Facile à confondre

condicionar vs Acondicionar

Similar spelling and same root.

Acondicionar is about physical preparation (e.g., AC), while condicionar is about logical dependency.

Voy a acondicionar la oficina (I'll fix up the office) vs Voy a condicionar mi ayuda (I'll make my help dependent on something).

condicionar vs Determinar

Both imply cause and effect.

Determinar is absolute; condicionar implies a framework or requirement that might allow for some variation.

El ADN determina el sexo vs El clima condiciona la agricultura.

condicionar vs Influir

Both involve one thing affecting another.

Influir is a general, often soft effect. Condicionar is a structural or required effect.

La música influye en mi humor vs El contrato condiciona el pago.

condicionar vs Supeditar

They are almost synonyms.

Supeditar is much more formal and often implies a strict hierarchy or total dependency.

Supeditamos la paz al desarme.

condicionar vs Coartar

Both involve restrictions.

Coartar specifically refers to limiting freedoms, rights, or expressions in a negative way.

Coartar la libertad de prensa.

Structures de phrases

[Subject] condiciona [Object]

El dinero condiciona el viaje.

[Subject] está condicionado por [Factor]

Mi éxito está condicionado por mi esfuerzo.

[Subject] condiciona [Object] a [Requirement]

El banco condicionó el crédito a la garantía.

No dejar que [Subject] condicione [Object]

No dejes que el miedo condicione tu vida.

[Abstract Noun] condiciona inevitablemente [Result]

La historia condiciona inevitablemente el presente.

Quedar condicionado a que [Subjunctive]

El acuerdo queda condicionado a que acepten los términos.

[Concept] se halla condicionado por [Philosophical Factor]

La libertad se halla condicionada por la estructura social.

Sin que [Subject] condicione [Object]

Actuó sin que su prejuicio condicionara su juicio.

Famille de mots

Noms

condición (condition)

condicionamiento (conditioning)

condicionante (determining factor)

Verbes

acondicionar (to prepare/air condition)

reacondicionar (to recondition)

Adjectifs

condicionado (conditioned)

incondicional (unconditional)

condicional (conditional)

Apparenté

condicionalidad

precondición

aire acondicionado

acondicionador

condicionador

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

High in written Spanish, Medium-High in spoken Spanish.

Erreurs courantes

Using 'condicionar' for air conditioning. → Aire acondicionado / Acondicionar el aire.
This is a false friend in usage. 'Condicionar' is logical, 'acondicionar' is physical.
Forgetting the 'a' in 'condicionar a'. → Condicionó su voto a la bajada de impuestos.
Without the 'a', the sentence is grammatically incomplete when expressing a requirement.
Using 'de' instead of 'por' in passive voice. → Está condicionado por el clima.
The agent of a passive sentence in Spanish is almost always introduced by 'por'.
Misgendering the participle 'condicionado'. → La decisión fue condicionada.
The past participle must agree in gender and number with the subject it describes.
Using 'condicionar' when 'influir' is more appropriate. → Sus amigos influyen en él.
'Condicionar' is very strong; 'influir' is better for general peer pressure or soft influence.

Astuces

The 'A' Rule

Always remember: Condicionar [Something] A [Requirement]. This is the most professional and accurate way to use the verb in Spanish.

Avoid the 'Acondicionar' Trap

Never use 'condicionar' when you mean to fix up a room or use AC. Use 'acondicionar' for physical spaces and 'condicionar' for logical dependencies.

Sound More Analytical

Use 'condicionar' instead of 'depender de' in essays or presentations. It shifts the focus to the structural influence rather than just a simple link.

Behavioral Context

In academic settings, use 'condicionamiento' to talk about how habits are formed. It shows you know the technical terminology of behavioral science.

Contractual Precision

If you are signing a contract in Spanish, look for the word 'condicionado'. It marks the 'fine print' or the requirements you must meet.

Personal Boundaries

You can use 'No me condiciones' to tell someone that you don't want their opinions or rules to restrict your freedom of choice.

Stress the End

Ensure you stress the 'NAR' at the end. If you stress the middle, it might be confused with other forms of the word.

Passive Voice

Using 'Estar condicionado por' is a great way to describe environmental or economic factors in a formal report.

Nuance vs Determinar

Use 'condicionar' when there's an influence, but 'determinar' when the cause is 100% responsible for the effect.

Sine Qua Non

Pair 'condicionar' with the phrase 'condición sine qua non' in high-level academic writing for maximum impact.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of a 'condition' in a contract. If you add 'ar', you are making the action of creating that condition.

Association visuelle

Imagine a gatekeeper (the condition) holding a key. The gate only opens (the result) if you give the key.

Word Web

Dependency Requirement Logic Influence Constraint Contract Behavior System

Défi

Try to write three sentences about your life using 'condicionado por'. For example: 'Mi dieta está condicionada por mi salud.'

Origine du mot

From the Latin 'condicionare', which comes from 'condicio' (agreement, situation, terms). It was formed by 'con-' (together) and 'dicere' (to say/set).

Sens originel : To set terms together or to agree upon a situation.

Romance (Latin root).

Contexte culturel

Be careful when saying a person is 'condicionado', as it can imply they lack free will or are being manipulated.

English speakers often use 'condition' more as a noun or in 'air conditioning', whereas Spanish speakers use the verb 'condicionar' more frequently in abstract logic.

Pavlov's experiments (Condicionamiento clásico). B.F. Skinner's radical behaviorism. Legal terms like 'Libertad condicionada' in Spanish law.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Economics

Condicionar la inversión
Mercado condicionado
Condicionar el crecimiento
Préstamo condicionado

Psychology

Condicionamiento operante
Respuesta condicionada
Estímulo condicionado
Comportamiento condicionado

Legal

Libertad condicionada
Contrato condicionado
Condicionar la ejecución
Cláusula condicionante

Everyday Life

Condicionar los planes
Estar condicionado por el dinero
No me condiciones
Condicionar el ánimo

Science

Variables que condicionan
Condicionar el resultado
Experimento condicionado
Factores condicionantes

Amorces de conversation

"¿Crees que nuestra infancia condiciona totalmente quiénes somos de adultos?"

"¿Hasta qué punto el clima de un país condiciona el carácter de su gente?"

"¿Debería el gobierno condicionar las ayudas sociales a la búsqueda activa de empleo?"

"¿Sientes que las redes sociales condicionan tu forma de ver la realidad?"

"¿Cómo condiciona el presupuesto de una película su calidad artística final?"

Sujets d'écriture

Escribe sobre una decisión importante en tu vida que estuvo condicionada por factores externos fuera de tu control.

Reflexiona sobre cómo tu cultura condiciona tus gustos personales y tus valores más profundos.

Describe un momento en el que pusiste condiciones a alguien para ayudarle y por qué lo hiciste.

Analiza cómo la tecnología condiciona nuestras relaciones interpersonales en la actualidad.

Imagina un mundo sin leyes; ¿qué factores condicionarían el comportamiento humano en ese escenario?

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Not necessarily. While it often implies a limit or restriction, it is a neutral logical term. For example, 'El éxito está condicionado al trabajo' is a positive, motivating statement about the necessity of effort.

'Condicionar' means to make something dependent on a condition. 'Acondicionar' means to prepare, adapt, or fix up a physical space, like using air conditioning. For example, 'acondicionar un local' means to set up a shop.

Only if you are specifying the requirement. 'El clima condiciona el viaje' (No 'a' because the object is the thing being influenced). 'El banco condiciona el préstamo A tu aval' (Use 'a' because you are stating the requirement).

Yes, but be careful. Saying 'Ella me condiciona' can mean she influences your decisions or she sets rules for you. In psychology, it refers to behavioral training (like Pavlov's dog).

No. 'Condición' is the rule or state itself. 'Condicionamiento' is the process of being influenced or trained, especially in psychology (e.g., social conditioning).

It is 'aire acondicionado'. Note that it uses the past participle of 'acondicionar', not 'condicionar'.

Yes, very frequently. It describes clauses where one party's obligation only arises if the other party fulfills a specific condition.

It is the Spanish term for 'parole' or 'probation'. It means the person is free, but their freedom depends on (is conditioned by) following certain rules.

Yes, when used with 'a que'. For example: 'Condicionó su renuncia a que le pagaran todo' (He made his resignation dependent on them paying him everything).

It is very common in news, business, and formal conversation. It is less common in very casual street slang, where people might use simpler words like 'depender'.

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