optar

The Spanish verb optar is a sophisticated and precise term that primarily translates to "to opt" or "to choose" in English. While everyday Spanish speakers might frequently use the word elegir or escoger for simple daily selections, optar carries a slightly more formal, deliberate, and decisive weight. It suggests a process of evaluation where several alternatives were considered before a final path was taken. In the mind of a native speaker, optar often implies a fork in the road—a moment where a decision must be made between distinct possibilities, often involving a degree of preference or strategic thinking.

Semantic Nuance

Unlike 'decidir', which focuses on the finality of the act, 'optar' emphasizes the selection of one specific option over others. It is inherently comparative.

One of the most critical aspects of using optar correctly is its relationship with prepositions. In most contexts, it is followed by the preposition por. When you say "opto por...", you are saying "I opt for..." or "I choose..." This structure is used for choosing objects, actions, or ideas. However, there is a distinct and very common use in professional or competitive settings: optar a. This variation means "to aspire to" or "to be a candidate for." For example, if you are applying for a scholarship, you are optando a una beca. This subtle change from por to a shifts the meaning from making a choice to seeking an achievement.

Register and Context

You will find 'optar' in journalistic writing, academic essays, business meetings, and formal literature. It sounds more refined than 'querer' or 'agarrar'.

In social settings, you might hear a friend say, "Opto por quedarme en casa hoy," which adds a layer of intentionality to their decision. It’s not just that they are staying home; they have weighed the option of going out and have consciously chosen the alternative. This verb is also the root of the noun opción (option) and the adjective optativo (optional), reinforcing its connection to the availability of choice. Understanding optar allows you to express preference with a level of precision that signals a higher level of Spanish proficiency (B1/B2), moving beyond the basic vocabulary of a beginner.

Grammatical Pattern

[Subject] + [conjugated form of optar] + por + [noun/infinitive verb]. This is the golden rule for standard usage.

Using optar correctly requires an understanding of its syntactic environment, specifically the prepositions por and a. Unlike the English "to choose," which is a transitive verb that takes a direct object (e.g., "I choose the red one"), optar is intransitive in Spanish and needs a prepositional bridge to connect to the object of the choice. This is the most common hurdle for English speakers learning the verb. Let's break down the two primary constructions that you will encounter in both spoken and written Spanish.

Construction 1: Optar por + Noun/Infinitive

This is used to indicate a choice between alternatives. You can follow 'por' with a noun (an object or person) or a verb in the infinitive (an action).

In the example above, the speakers had two choices: leave the museum or stay. They chose the latter. Note how quedarnos is in the infinitive. If they were choosing between two physical items, they might say: "Opto por el vestido azul en lugar del rojo." Here, the choice is between two nouns. This construction is universal across all Spanish-speaking regions and is considered the standard way to express a preference for one option over another.

Construction 2: Optar a + Noun

This construction is specific to situations where someone is competing for or aspiring to something, such as a job, a prize, a degree, or a political position.

This usage of a instead of por is vital in professional contexts. If you say "Opto por el puesto," it sounds like you are the one deciding to take the job. If you say "Opto al puesto," it means you are an applicant trying to get the job. Mastery of this distinction is a clear indicator of advanced Spanish logic. Furthermore, optar can be used in the future tense to express a firm intention: "Optaré por la solución más lógica," or in the conditional to express a hypothetical choice: "Si tuviera dinero, optaría por viajar por todo el mundo."

In formal writing, optar is often paired with adverbs to add more detail to the decision-making process. Phrases like optar libremente (to choose freely), optar finalmente (to choose finally), or optar erróneamente (to choose wrongly) are common. These combinations allow the writer to convey not just the choice itself, but the circumstances and quality of the decision. In legislative or legal texts, you will often see the phrase "el derecho a optar," referring to the legal right of a citizen to choose between different legal statuses, such as choosing a nationality.

Common Tense Usage

Preterite (opté) is most common for past decisions, while the present (opto) is used for current preferences or habits.

While optar is a versatile verb, its frequency increases significantly as the formality of the situation rises. You are unlikely to hear it shouted across a busy playground, but you will certainly encounter it in several specific environments. Understanding these contexts will help you recognize the word and use it with the appropriate social 'flavor'. From the boardroom to the newsroom, optar is the preferred term for discussing selections that have been made after careful consideration.

1. Professional and Corporate Environments

In business meetings, 'optar' is used to discuss strategies. Managers will say, 'Hemos optado por externalizar el servicio' (We have opted to outsource the service). It sounds professional and deliberate.

In the world of recruitment, the phrase optar a un puesto is ubiquitous. If you are browsing LinkedIn in Spanish or reading a job description, you will see instructions like "Los candidatos que deseen optar a esta vacante deben enviar su CV." This usage emphasizes the act of applying or qualifying for a specific role. It distinguishes the candidate's action (applying) from the employer's action (selecting). If you are in a job interview and want to sound more professional, you might say, "Opté por estudiar finanzas porque siempre me han interesado los mercados," rather than the simpler "Elegí finanzas."

2. News and Media

News anchors and journalists love 'optar' because it provides a concise way to report on the decisions of governments, celebrities, or organizations. It fits perfectly in a headline.

In the context of politics, you will hear about parties optando for certain alliances or voters optando for specific candidates. It suggests a conscious political choice. Similarly, in sports commentary, a coach might optar for a defensive strategy or optar for a younger player in the starting lineup. In these cases, optar highlights the tactical nature of the decision. It's not a random choice; it's a calculated move based on the situation at hand.

Finally, in academic and educational settings, optar is used when discussing elective subjects or degree specializations. Students optan por an elective (una asignatura optativa) or optan a a doctorate. This academic use reinforces the idea of choosing a specific path within a structured system. Even in casual conversation, if someone is being particularly indecisive, you might hear a sarcastic, "¡Bueno, opta por algo ya!" (Well, choose something already!), though this is less common than using "decídete."

3. Legal and Official Documents

In contracts or laws, 'optar' defines the power of a party to choose between different legal paths or remedies.

Even though optar seems straightforward, it is a frequent source of errors for English speakers and even some native speakers. Most of these mistakes stem from two areas: the incorrect use (or omission) of prepositions and the confusion between optar and its close cousins like elegir or decidir. Because English allows you to "opt to do something" or "choose something" directly, the Spanish requirement for por or a feels counterintuitive to many learners.

Mistake 1: Omitting the Preposition 'Por'

This is the #1 error. Learners often say 'Opté la mejor opción' (I opted the best option). This is incorrect because 'optar' is not a transitive verb.

The preposition por acts as the link between the action of opting and the thing being opted for. Without it, the sentence falls apart grammatically. Think of it as "opting FOR" rather than just "opting." If you are choosing an action, the por must still be there before the infinitive verb. Another common mistake is using de instead of por, perhaps confused by phrases like "la opción de." Remember: you have the opción DE, but you optas POR.

Mistake 2: Confusing 'Optar Por' with 'Optar A'

Using the wrong preposition changes the meaning from 'choosing' to 'applying for/aspiring to'.

Use optar por for 90% of your daily choices (food, paths, activities). Reserve optar a strictly for competitive scenarios like jobs, awards, or limited-slot opportunities. A third mistake is trying to use optar with a "que" clause in a way that sounds clunky. While "Optó por que se hiciera así" is grammatically possible (meaning "He opted for it to be done this way"), it is often better to use "Decidió que..." or "Prefirió que..." to avoid the awkward preposition-conjunction combination.

Lastly, some learners confuse optar with adoptar (to adopt). While they sound similar, they are very different. You adoptas a child or a new measure, but you optas por a solution. Mixing these up can lead to confusing sentences like "Optamos un perro," which sounds like you made a choice about a dog but didn't actually bring it home. Always ensure the 'por' is present to anchor the verb to its meaning of selection.

Mistake 3: Overusing it in Informal Speech

While not a 'grammar' error, using 'optar' for every tiny choice (like choosing a sock) can sound a bit over-the-top or 'bookish' in very casual settings.

Spanish is rich with verbs that describe the act of choosing. While optar is a fantastic addition to your vocabulary, it's important to know how it stacks up against its synonyms. Depending on the level of formality, the number of options, and the finality of the decision, you might want to reach for a different word. Let's compare optar with the most common alternatives to help you choose the right one for every situation.

Optar vs. Elegir

'Elegir' is the most common and versatile verb for 'to choose'. It is transitive (no preposition needed). While 'optar' focuses on the path taken, 'elegir' focuses on the object selected.

Another close relative is escoger. In many regions, escoger and elegir are interchangeable, though escoger can sometimes imply a more careful 'picking out' of something from a group (like picking the best fruit at a market). Optar, by contrast, feels more like a decision of the mind than a physical picking of an object. If you are choosing between two philosophical ideologies, optar is much more appropriate than escoger.

Optar vs. Decidir

'Decidir' means 'to decide'. It is about the resolution of a doubt. You can 'decidir' to do something without necessarily having a set of 'options' presented to you. 'Optar' always implies a set of alternatives.

For more advanced learners, the reflexive verb decantarse por is a wonderful alternative to optar por. It literally means "to tilt toward" or "to settle on." It is used when you have been debating between options for a long time and finally "lean" toward one. It's very common in sophisticated conversation. Another alternative is seleccionar, which is very formal and often used in technical or systematic contexts (like "selecting" files on a computer or "selecting" candidates for a study).

Lastly, in the context of optar a (aspiring to), synonyms include aspirar a, pretender, or concursar por. If you are applying for a job, you can say "Aspiro al puesto" or "Opto al puesto." Optar a is slightly more formal and is frequently used in official announcements of public exams (oposiciones) in Spain. Knowing these alternatives allows you to vary your language and avoid repetition, which is key to reaching higher levels of CEFR proficiency.

Comparison Table Summary

- Optar por: Formal, implies alternatives.
- Elegir: General, transitive.
- Decidir: Focuses on the act of resolution.
- Decantarse: Idiomatic, implies 'leaning' toward an option.