según

The Spanish word según is a versatile preposition that primarily translates to "according to" in English. It serves as a linguistic bridge, connecting a statement or a piece of information to its source or a specific set of circumstances. At its core, según is used to attribute ideas, data, or opinions to someone or something else, effectively shifting the responsibility of the truth-claim away from the speaker. For example, if you say "According to the news," you are using según to indicate that the information did not originate from you but from a journalistic source. This word is essential for Spanish learners because it appears in almost every register of the language, from casual street conversations to high-level academic papers and legal documents.

Attribution of Information

This is the most common use. It identifies the source of a fact or opinion. It can be a person, a book, a law, or a general consensus.

Beyond simple attribution, según is also used to express relativity or dependency. In English, we might say "it depends" or "depending on." In Spanish, you can simply say "según" or "según se mire" (depending on how you look at it). This usage highlights that a situation is not absolute but varies based on external factors. For instance, the price of a fruit might change según the season. This flexibility makes it a powerful tool for expressing nuance and avoiding overgeneralization. It is also used in the phrase "según y como," which is a colloquial way of saying "that depends on the circumstances."

Relativity and Variation

Used to show that something changes based on another variable, such as time, place, or personal preference.

In a grammatical sense, según is unique. While most prepositions in Spanish require a specific structure, según can be followed by a noun, a pronoun, or even an entire clause starting with a verb. When followed by a verb, it often acts like a conjunction. For example, "según dice el jefe" (according to what the boss says). This adaptability is why you will hear it so frequently in Spanish media. Journalists use it to cite sources without confirming the absolute truth of the statement, providing a layer of professional distance. It is also a staple in weather reports: "según el servicio meteorológico, lloverá mañana."

Formal and Legal Usage

In legal contexts, it is used to refer to specific articles or laws, ensuring that actions are taken in accordance with established rules.

Finally, it is worth noting the cultural weight of según. In many Spanish-speaking cultures, there is a strong emphasis on the source of information. Using según allows speakers to participate in discussions while acknowledging that their perspective is just one of many. It fosters a sense of intellectual humility. Whether you are talking about what your grandmother said about the weather or what a scientist discovered about the stars, según is your go-to word for citing your sources and expressing the beautiful complexity of a world where things are often relative.

Using según correctly requires understanding its grammatical behavior, which is slightly different from other Spanish prepositions. The most important rule to remember is that según does not change the form of personal pronouns. While prepositions like "para" or "con" require "mí" and "ti" (para mí, conmigo), según uses the subject pronouns "yo" and "tú." This is a common point of confusion for English speakers who are used to the consistency of other prepositions. Therefore, you must say "según yo" (according to me) and "según tú" (according to you). This rule applies to all subject pronouns: según él, según nosotros, según ellos.

Structure: Según + Noun/Pronoun

This is the simplest form. You place 'según' directly before the person or thing that is the source of information.

Another common structure involves using según with a verb. When según introduces a clause, it functions more like a conjunction. If the action in the clause is a known fact or something that has already happened, you use the indicative mood. For example, "según dice la radio" (according to what the radio says). However, if the action is hypothetical, future-oriented, or uncertain, you must use the subjunctive mood. An example would be "lo haré según me digas" (I will do it according to what you tell me). This distinction is crucial for intermediate and advanced learners who want to express precision in their speech.

Structure: Según + Clause (Verb)

Use the indicative for facts and the subjunctive for possibilities or future instructions.

In many cases, según is followed by the neuter article "lo" and a participle or adjective. This creates phrases like "según lo previsto" (according to what was planned) or "según lo acordado" (according to what was agreed). These are highly useful in professional and formal settings. They allow you to refer back to previous discussions or expectations without repeating the entire context. For example, "según lo prometido, aquí tienes el dinero" (as promised, here is the money). This structure is very common in business emails and project management.

Structure: Según + lo + Participle

A formal way to refer to previously established plans, agreements, or expectations.

Finally, let's look at the position of según in a sentence. It can appear at the very beginning to set the context, or it can be placed in the middle or at the end to provide additional detail. Starting a sentence with según is very common in news reporting: "Según los testigos, el coche iba muy rápido." Placing it in the middle often emphasizes the action: "El coche iba muy rápido, según los testigos." Both are grammatically correct, but the first version sounds more formal and structured. As you practice, try moving según around to see how it changes the rhythm of your Spanish sentences.

If you turn on a Spanish-language news broadcast, you will hear según within the first few minutes. It is the lifeblood of journalism. News anchors use it to attribute quotes to politicians, report data from statistical institutes, and share information from "unnamed sources." Phrases like "según fuentes oficiales" (according to official sources) or "según el último informe" (according to the latest report) are ubiquitous. This is because journalists must remain objective, and según allows them to present information as something reported by others rather than a personal opinion. It provides a shield of professional neutrality that is essential in the media world.

The News and Media

Used constantly to cite sources, reports, and witnesses in television, radio, and newspapers.

In everyday casual conversation, según is used to share gossip or second-hand information. If a friend tells you something about another person, you might repeat it to someone else starting with "según me dijo Juan" (according to what Juan told me). This usage is very common in social settings where people are discussing plans, rumors, or opinions. It is also used to express skepticism. If someone makes a claim you find hard to believe, you might reply with a sarcastic "según tú..." (according to you...), implying that their perspective might not match reality. This shows how the word can carry emotional weight depending on the tone of voice.

Daily Gossip and Rumors

A way to pass on information while making it clear that you are not the original source.

In academic and professional environments, según is the standard way to cite authors and studies. If you are writing an essay or giving a presentation, you will use it to reference your research. For example, "según el autor" or "según los datos recopilados." It is more concise than phrases like "de acuerdo con lo que escribió el autor." In these contexts, según lends authority to your work by showing that your arguments are grounded in existing knowledge. It is also used in technical manuals to describe how a machine should operate: "la máquina funciona según las instrucciones del fabricante."

Academic and Technical Contexts

Essential for citations, referencing data, and following technical specifications or manuals.

You will also hear según in sports commentary. Commentators use it to refer to the rules of the game or the statistics of a player. "Según las reglas, eso es una falta clara." Or, "según las estadísticas, este jugador nunca falla un penalti." In this fast-paced environment, según provides a quick way to ground the commentary in facts. Finally, in religious contexts, it is used to cite scriptures: "según el Evangelio de San Mateo." This wide range of applications—from the holy to the mundane—proves that según is one of the most indispensable words in the Spanish language.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when using según is adding the preposition "a" after it. In English, we say "according to," so it is natural to want to translate that "to" as "a" in Spanish. However, según is a complete preposition on its own and does not require any additional help. Saying "según a el libro" is a major grammatical error. The correct form is simply "según el libro." This mistake is very common among beginners who are still mentally translating from English word-for-word. Remembering to drop the "a" will immediately make your Spanish sound more natural and correct.

The "Según a" Error

Never add 'a' after 'según'. It is a standalone preposition. Correct: 'según mi madre'. Incorrect: 'según a mi madre'.

Another significant pitfall involves personal pronouns. As mentioned earlier, según is an exception to the rule that prepositions are followed by object pronouns like "mí" and "ti." If you say "según mí," you are making a mistake that will stand out to native speakers. You must use the subject pronouns: "según yo" and "según tú." This is counterintuitive for many learners because almost every other preposition in Spanish (except for 'entre', 'excepto', and 'incluso') follows the opposite rule. It helps to think of según as a special case that requires the "stronger" subject pronouns to support the source of information.

Wrong Pronoun Usage

Always use 'yo' and 'tú' after 'según'. Using 'mí' or 'ti' is a common error for students who over-apply the general rule.

A more subtle mistake occurs when learners confuse según with "depende de." While según can mean "depending on," it is usually used to introduce the specific variable, whereas "depende de" is used to state the general fact of dependency. For example, you say "depende del clima" (it depends on the weather) or "según el clima, iremos o no" (depending on the weather, we will go or not). The mistake often happens when learners try to use según with the preposition "de." Remember: según never takes "de." If you want to use "de," you must use the verb "depender."

Confusing with 'Depende de'

Do not say 'según de'. Use 'según' alone or 'depende de' if you want to use the preposition 'de'.

Lastly, there is the issue of the accent mark. Según is an oxytone word (palabra aguda) ending in 'n', so it must have a written accent on the 'u'. Forgetting this accent is a common spelling error. While it doesn't change the pronunciation in a major way, it is a sign of poor writing. In some regions, you might also hear people use según to mean "as soon as," which is technically correct but can be confusing for learners. For example, "según llegues, llámame." This is a more advanced usage, and beginners should stick to the "according to" meaning until they are more comfortable with the language's nuances.

While según is the most common way to say "according to," Spanish offers several alternatives that can add variety and precision to your speech. The most frequent synonym is "de acuerdo con." This phrase is slightly more formal and is often used when there is a sense of harmony or agreement between the source and the statement. For example, "de acuerdo con la ley" sounds a bit more official than "según la ley." However, they are often interchangeable. Another similar phrase is "conforme a," which is heavily used in legal and administrative contexts to mean "in compliance with" or "in accordance with."

Según vs. De acuerdo con

'Según' is more versatile and common in speech. 'De acuerdo con' is slightly more formal and implies agreement or consistency.

If you want to express that something is done based on a specific perspective or criterion, you can use "a tenor de." This is a very formal, almost literary expression that you might find in high-level journalism or academic writing. It translates roughly to "in light of" or "based on." For instance, "a tenor de los resultados, debemos cambiar de estrategia." On the more casual side, if you are expressing your own opinion, you can use "para mí" or "en mi opinión." While "según yo" is common, "para mí" often sounds more natural when discussing personal tastes or feelings.

Según vs. Conforme a

'Conforme a' is used for rules, laws, and standards. It implies that something is being done 'in compliance' with those rules.

Another interesting alternative is "a juzgar por," which means "judging by." This is used when you are making an inference based on evidence. For example, "a juzgar por su cara, no está muy feliz." While según simply reports what someone said or what a source states, "a juzgar por" involves an active process of evaluation by the speaker. This distinction is subtle but important for reaching a high level of fluency. Finally, "según y como" can be replaced by "dependiendo de las circunstancias," though the latter is much longer and less idiomatic.

Según vs. A juzgar por

'Según' reports information. 'A juzgar por' implies that the speaker is making a logical deduction based on what they see or hear.

In summary, while según is your reliable, all-purpose tool for attribution and relativity, knowing these alternatives allows you to fine-tune your message. Use "de acuerdo con" for formal agreement, "conforme a" for legal compliance, "a juzgar por" for logical deductions, and "para mí" for personal opinions. By choosing the right word for the right situation, you will not only be understood but you will also demonstrate a deep and nuanced command of the Spanish language. Practice using these different options in your writing and speaking to see which ones feel most natural to you in different contexts.