discreción

§ Mistakes people make with this word

Many English speakers learning Spanish often misunderstand 'discreción' because its direct English cognate 'discretion' can have slightly different nuances. While the core meaning is similar, there are common traps to avoid.

§ Mistake 1: Confusing 'discreción' with 'discretionary'

In English, 'discretionary' often refers to something optional or left to one's own judgment, like 'discretionary spending.' In Spanish, 'discreción' doesn't carry this same sense of optionality in most contexts. It's almost always about being discreet or having good judgment in behavior or speech, not about having a choice.

§ Mistake 2: Using 'discreción' to mean 'choice'

While discretion in English can sometimes imply a choice or freedom to act, 'discreción' in Spanish is more focused on the *manner* of acting – with good judgment, tact, or secrecy. It rarely means having the power to choose what to do.

§ Mistake 3: Overlooking 'con discreción' for 'discreetly'

While 'discretamente' (discreetly) exists and is perfectly valid, the phrase 'con discreción' is very common and often more idiomatic in Spanish when describing *how* something is done – with discretion.

§ Similar words for discretion

Let's look at some Spanish words that are similar to 'discreción' and understand when to use each one. While they might seem interchangeable, there are subtle differences.

• Prudencia: This is probably the closest synonym to 'discreción'. 'Prudencia' means prudence, caution, or foresight. It implies carefulness in decision-making and action to avoid risks or negative consequences.
• Reserva: This word refers to reserve, reticence, or keeping to oneself. It emphasizes not sharing information or emotions easily. Someone who acts with 'reserva' might not necessarily be considering others' feelings, but rather their own privacy or desire not to engage.
• Cautela: This means caution or wariness. It's about being careful to avoid danger or mistakes. While 'cautela' can involve keeping quiet, it's more about being vigilant and careful in general.
• Sensatez: This translates to good sense, common sense, or sound judgment. It's about acting in a reasonable and practical way. A 'persona sensata' makes wise decisions, which might involve 'discreción', but 'sensatez' is a broader quality.

§ When to use discreción

You use 'discreción' when you want to emphasize the act of being tactful, respectful of privacy, and avoiding causing offense or revealing sensitive information. It's about behaving in a way that shows good judgment in social situations, especially when dealing with delicate matters.

Here are some situations where 'discreción' is the perfect word:

When someone asks you to keep a secret:

You would ask them to act with 'discreción'.

Please, I ask for your discretion (to be discreet) with this information.

When someone handles a sensitive topic well:

You would praise their 'discreción'.

He acted with a lot of discretion (discreetly) when talking about the problem.

When someone is behaving modestly or unobtrusively:

You might describe their 'discreción' in their manner.

The house's decoration showed an elegant discretion (was elegantly discreet).

Remember, while words like 'prudencia' and 'reserva' are related, 'discreción' specifically highlights the thoughtful consideration of others' feelings and privacy, especially regarding sensitive information or behavior.